District of Columbia estate planning
Make a will, living trust & powers of attorney in District of Columbia
District of Columbia sets its own rules for who can make a will, how it must be signed and witnessed, whether it needs a notary, and how estates are taxed. Estateur drafts your District of Columbia will, revocable living trust, and powers of attorney through a guided interview, then validates every document against District of Columbia law before you ever see it. It is a self-help document-preparation service, not a law firm.
District of Columbia estate planning at a glance
| Will witnesses required | two witnesses |
|---|---|
| Will must be notarized | No (self-proving affidavit optional) |
| Self-proving affidavit | Available (recommended) |
| Handwritten (holographic) wills | Not recognized |
| Electronic wills | Not permitted |
| State estate tax | Yes — 2025 exemption $4.87 million |
| State inheritance tax | None |
| Community property | No (separate / common-law property) |
General information, not legal advice. Figures such as tax exemptions change; confirm current requirements with the District of Columbia courts or department of revenue.
How to make a valid will in District of Columbia
A District of Columbia will must be in writing and signed by you in front of two witnesses. Notarization is not required for the will to be valid, but a self-proving affidavit — which is notarized — makes probate easier by removing the need for your witnesses to testify later. District of Columbia does not recognize handwritten (holographic) wills — the witness requirement applies regardless.
Spousal protection. Surviving-spouse elective share of the net estate (D.C. Code § 19-113). A will can't fully disinherit a surviving spouse in most states — Estateur's interview flags this for you.
Living trusts & avoiding probate in District of Columbia
A will still has to pass through District of Columbia probate — a public, court-supervised process — before your assets reach your heirs. A revocable living trust holds your assets during life and transfers them at death without probate, which is usually faster and stays private. A trust is not right for everyone; it depends on whether you own real estate, the size and complexity of your estate, and your goals.
Estateur's free quiz recommends whether a will-based or trust-based plan fits your District of Columbia situation, and every trust-based plan includes a pour-over will as a companion document.
Powers of attorney & healthcare directives in District of Columbia
A financial power of attorney in District of Columbia must be acknowledged before a notary to be effective. (D.C. Code § 21-2601.01)
A District of Columbia healthcare directive must be signed before two qualified witnesses. (D.C. Code § 21-2205)
A complete plan also includes a HIPAA authorization so your healthcare agent can actually get your medical information. Estateur builds each of these to District of Columbia's signing rules and includes execution instructions.
District of Columbia estate & inheritance tax
District of Columbia levies a state estate tax with a 2025 exemption of $4.87 million — well below the federal exemption, so an estate can owe District of Columbia tax while owing no federal tax. District of Columbia has no separate inheritance tax.
Estate-tax exemption amounts are 2025 figures and change annually. Confirm current thresholds with the District of Columbia department of revenue.
District of Columbia statutes referenced
- D.C. Code § 18-103
- D.C. Code § 21-2601.01
- D.C. Code § 21-2205
District of Columbia estate planning: common questions
- Is an online will legal in District of Columbia?
- Yes. District of Columbia does not care who typed your will — it cares that the will meets District of Columbia's execution rules. A will is valid in District of Columbia when it is in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two people (D.C. Code § 18-103). Estateur builds each District of Columbia will to those rules and includes step-by-step signing instructions, so an online will you sign correctly is just as valid as one prepared any other way.
- How many witnesses does a will need in District of Columbia?
- District of Columbia requires two witnesses to sign your will. Adding a notarized self-proving affidavit is optional but recommended — it lets the will be admitted to probate without tracking down your witnesses. District of Columbia does not recognize handwritten (holographic) wills.
- Do I need a lawyer to make a will in District of Columbia?
- No. District of Columbia law does not require a lawyer to make a valid will — you can prepare and sign your own. Estateur is a self-help document-preparation service (not a law firm, and no attorney personally reviews each plan) that drafts your District of Columbia documents against the state's verified rules and validates them before you see them. For complex situations — large or taxable estates, blended families, special-needs beneficiaries, or business succession — consulting a licensed District of Columbia attorney is wise.
- Does District of Columbia have an estate tax or inheritance tax?
- District of Columbia levies a state estate tax with a 2025 exemption of $4.87 million — well below the federal exemption, so an estate can owe District of Columbia tax while owing no federal tax. District of Columbia has no separate inheritance tax.
- How much does an online will cost in District of Columbia?
- Estateur uses flat, one-time pricing that is the same in District of Columbia as in every other state: a single Last Will & Testament is $79, or the full Will Plan (seven documents) is $99, with no subscription required.
Create your District of Columbia estate plan
Take the free 2-minute quiz for a personalized recommendation, or go straight to the plan you need — built for District of Columbia, at a flat one-time price.
Estateur is a self-help document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Information on this page reflects District of Columbia law in general terms and may change.
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