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DC Probate Real Estate Sale Calculator

Owning DC real property, of any value, routes an estate into its own named category — and legal fees here run higher than almost anywhere else.

Based on D.C. Code Title 20 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · Reviewed 2026 · How we calculate

Selling a DC probate house

Enter the sale price to see the typical cost picture.

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Estimated cost of this DC probate sale
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Do I need court approval? →
Facing probate in the District of Columbia?

A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.

Talk to a the District of Columbia attorney

A named category for real property estates

Confirmed current: Large Decedents' Estates (ADM) are opened for deceased persons who, at the time of death, lived in the District of Columbia and owned real property located in the District of Columbia and/or other assets of any value — DC's own categorization, distinct from a small estate proceeding.

Letters are required before the sale can close

The court grants authority through Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; this document legally allows the executor or personal representative to sell the property on behalf of the estate. Without this authorization, the property cannot legally be transferred.

Reasonable compensation, no fixed percentage

DC allows reasonable compensation for the personal representative, subject to court approval — there's no statutory percentage schedule.

A genuine estate tax, and some of the highest legal fees in the country

Estates exceeding roughly $4.71 million (2025 threshold) are subject to the DC estate tax, with graduated rates from 11.2% to 16%. DC probate attorneys typically charge between $4,000 and $8,000 for a straightforward probate, and $8,000 to $20,000 or more for complex or contested proceedings, with hourly rates from $300 to $600. See Capital Gains Tax on the Sale for the separate tax on the gain itself.

DC probate real estate sale — frequently asked questions

Does a DC personal representative need court approval to sell the house?

The personal representative needs Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the Probate Division before the property can legally be transferred — without that authorization, the sale can't close.

What is a Large Decedent's Estate in DC?

A case opened for someone who lived in DC and owned DC real property and/or other assets of any value — DC's own categorization for estates that don't qualify for the small estate track.

How much does a DC personal representative get paid for selling the house?

DC allows reasonable compensation for the personal representative, subject to court approval — there's no fixed statutory percentage.

Does DC have its own estate tax on the sale?

Yes — estates exceeding roughly $4.71 million (2025 threshold) are subject to the DC estate tax, with graduated rates from 11.2% to 16%.

What is DC's tax rate on the sale's gain?

Up to 10.75% for 2026, since DC taxes capital gains as ordinary income with no separate rate for long-term gains.

A recent access-to-justice reform

D.C. Law 25-302 (the Strengthening Probate Administration Amendment Act of 2024) waives court costs on behalf of a decedent's estate when the personal representative already had a fee waiver as a litigant, and updated the publication requirement from a general newspaper to a legal periodical of general circulation. Every filing runs through the single DC Probate Division, since the District has no counties to vary by.

DC probate real estate sale tools & guides

Court Approval to Sell in DCLetters Testamentary, explained DC Sale Costs & CommissionReasonable compensation, plus high attorney rates Capital Gains Tax on the Sale in DCUp to 10.75%, taxed as ordinary income DC Executor Fee CalculatorReasonable compensation, explained DC Small Estate CheckerDoes this estate even need a sale?

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Figures are based on D.C. Code Title 20, and typical realtor commission rates. Actual costs depend on the estate's own facts. Confirm current figures with the Probate Division or a licensed DC attorney before acting.