Our family split when one sister talked Dad into making her the 'executioner' of his estate. She thought it meant first dibs. She ripped off the estate and no one speaks to her anymore. Be careful what you ask for.

Anonymous wrote:OP here.
The probate court is closed due to COVID. We called the provided number to find information about how to proceed. The message is simply saying that the mailbox is full.
How to proceed from here?

https://www.dccourts.gov/sites/default/files/Superior-Court-Clerks-Offices-Remote-Operations.pdf

Here are several option for contacting the probate court.

I would also recommend a legal services organization.

If my husband were to die, literally everything we have is either already held by us jointly or transfers to me upon death (called TOD.) It should be a lot less work than the death of a parent.

A great deal depends on the assets owned, how they were owned (tenants by the entireties), what potential beneficiaries other than the wife exist, etc.

There could be nothing at all required (entireties), or a lot. A lawyer may or may not be required. If one is required it may be a small job (explaining what’s needs to be done) or a big one.

Nobody is going to be able to offer much help without some substantive facts.

Call a lawyer. I mean this with all sincerity and with a small amount of frustration. Call a lawyer.

OP here.
The probate court is closed due to COVID. We called the provided number to find information about how to proceed. The message is simply saying that the mailbox is full.
How to proceed from here?

Anonymous wrote:

I’m asking this question on behalf of a neighbor.
Her husband died after a very short illness without leaving any will and without assigning beneficiaries on his bank accounts.
Where should she apply in order to be appointed estate executioner to have access to the accounts? Money is tight and she’s trying to do it herself without paying a lawyer.
This is DC.

She NEEDS a laywer. If her husband died without a will, the estate will go through probate and other family members can and will make claims on the deceased's assets. She needs to protect herself. An attorney will help her through all this and more.

Please stop giving bad advice. DC law is pretty clear on how the estate will be divided. Also, here's a PDF from the DC courts that addresses how to file to probate the estate if there is no will (among other things):

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjF8O7V7YnsAhW-mHIEHdmlDDMQFjAAegQIBBAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lawhelp.org%2Fdc%2Fresource%2Fafter-death-a-guide-to-probate-in-the-district-of-columbia%2Fdownload%2F74970FAC-02BB-47F1-814B-B47CA77165C4.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1qlwAG1Edcyem4mqpE195u

*I hope the above posts correctly.

But OP, you can google a lot if this - "Instestate succession in DC" "Probate an estate without a will DC" etc.

At the probate court the person submits a petition to become estate administrator (i.e. executor). Then 30 day passes for public objection. Then you are appointed estate administrator and can act on its behalf.

Anonymous wrote:Oh, honey. Executioner?

Damn it. I came to post this but DCUM is so quick!

Anonymous wrote:OMG. The first thing is, you must be a smart person.

Fortunately, this area is full of smart people!

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry I wasn't helpful before. Here is the relevant dc code: https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/titles/19/chapters/3/
And DC probate court: https://www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/probate-division

But she should really find an attorney.

Thank you. We will call on Monday and take it from there.

I'm sorry I wasn't helpful before. Here is the relevant dc code: https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/titles/19/chapters/3/
And DC probate court: https://www.dccourts.gov/superior-court/probate-division

But she should really find an attorney.

Maybe a free/low cost legal clinic can help.