Probate Reform: Simplifying the Process for D.C. Families

What is probate?

Probate is the legal process that takes place after someone dies to determine who should receive their property and money. It involves identifying, appraising, and distributing a deceased person’s property. Probate – also sometimes called estate administration – is often complex and time-consuming, which can be stressful for families during an already difficult time.

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How CCE is helping

We are committed to making the probate process in D.C. easier and more accessible for everyone, especially for those who do not have legal representation. Here’s how our work has made a difference:

  • Advocating for Simplified Laws and Procedures: Many self-represented people in estate cases struggle to understand the probate process. We champion reforms that modernize and streamline procedures, making them more straightforward and less daunting for grieving loved ones (and even for lawyers).
  • Improving Court Policies: Our efforts have led to changes in court policies that enhance efficiency and clarity in probate cases.
  • Providing Resources: We offer educational materials and guides to help people understand and navigate the probate process.

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Our guide to probate

When Someone Dies: A Non-Lawyer's Guide to Probate in Washington D.C.

To help families and loved ones navigate the complicated process of probate, CCE has created a comprehensive probate guide titled When Someone Dies. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions on what to do when a loved one passes away, covering everything from immediate actions to the completion of probate. It is designed to help you understand the process and make informed decisions during a challenging time.

"When Someone Dies" is our guide to navigating the probate process in DC.

We helped improve probate law!

CCE led the community call for the D.C. Council to pass the “Strengthening Probate Administration Amendment Act of 2024.” The legislation was based on recommendations from CCE’s 2022 report, Strengthening Probate Administration in the District of Columbia, and was the first major probate reform since 2001. We are proud to report that the bill was passed by D.C. Council in December 2024, signed by Mayor Bowser in January 2025, and became law on March 21, 2025. We are incredibly proud to see CCE's work informing new laws in D.C.. We are grateful to key sponsor Councilmember Charles Allen, the D.C. Access to Justice Commission, and our other key collaborators for championing these important probate improvements through D.C. Council.

Going forward in 2025, CCE will focus on technical details of the law’s implementation, community education about the law, championing other still-needed reforms, and updating our popular resource, When Someone Dies: A Non-Lawyer's Guide to Probate in Washington, D.C., to reflect the new legal changes.

Publications and resources

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