*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on August 27, 2026. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Permanent Version.*

1. (a) An abbreviated probate proceeding is a proceeding for probate of a will or a determination of a decedent's intestacy and for the appointment of a personal representative. This proceeding is instituted when an interested person files a petition for an abbreviated probate proceeding with the Court in accordance with the provisions of § 20-304. This proceeding may be conducted without the prior notice required for formal probate under § 20-323.
2. (b) The finality of abbreviated probate shall be governed by § 20-331.

History

June 24, 1980, D.C. Law 3-72, § 101, 27 DCR 2155

Mar. 21, 1995, D.C. Law 10-241, § 3(l), 42 DCR 63

Mar. 21, 2025, D.C. Law 25-302, § 4(f)

May 29, 2026, D.C. Act 26-337, § 2(a)

Editor's Notes

Application of Law 10-241: See Application of Law 10-241 and Emergency act amendment notes to § 20-304.

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 20-311.

Section References

This section is referenced in § 20-101.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(a) of Strengthening Probate Administration Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-124, Aug. 1, 2025, 72 DCR 8600).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(a) of Strengthening Probate Administration Emergency Amendment Act of 2026 (D.C. Act 26-337, May 29, 2026, 0 DCR 0).

Temporary Legislation

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(a) of Strengthening Probate Administration Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Law 26-47, Oct. 1, 2025, 72 DCR 8936).