Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia) Health, Legal, And End-Of-Life Resources

Whether you’re planning for yourself or someone else, the resources below are vital when it comes to organizing and settling an estate in Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia).

Advance Directive Form

Download the Advance Directive form for Washington, D.C. For other states, see our complete list of state-by-state Advance Directive forms.

Order Death Certificates

Death Certificate instructions for Washington D.C. For other states, see our complete list of state-by-state Death Certificate ordering information.

Digital Estate Planning Laws

Law: Council Bill 230141, Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act of 2019
Description: This allows holders of accounts with digital assets to give access to these accounts to fiduciaries. A digital asset is an electronic record in which an individual has a right or interest. It also provides immunity from liability for custodians of accounts that comply with a fiduciary's apparent authorized request for access.
Status: Effective January 13, 2021

For other states, see our complete list of state-by-state Digital Estate Planning Laws.

Death With Dignity Legislation (a.k.a. Aid-In-Dying or Physician-Assisted Death)

The D.C. Death with Dignity Act went into effect on February 18, 2017; implementation started on June 6, 2017. [Learn more about it here]

For other states, see our complete list of state-by-state Death With Dignity Legislation.

Organ Donation Registries

Washington D.C. Organ Donation registry official link. For other states, see our complete list of state-by-state Organ Donation registries.

POLST (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) Form

The District of Columbia Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST) [Source: DC.gov] . For other states, see our complete list of state-by-state POLST forms.

Probate Laws

• Certificate of Filing Will (pdf)
• Large Decedents' Estates (ADM)
• Small Decedents' Estates (SEB)
[Source: Probate Division, District Of Columbia Courts]

For other states, see our complete list of state-by-state Probate Laws.

Estate And Inheritance Tax Rate

• The top estate tax rate is 16 percent (exemption threshold: $5.6 million)

For estate and inheritance tax in other states see our complete list of state-by-state Estate And Inheritance Tax Rates.