D.C. Code § 20-704: Notice of appointment to interested persons, creditors and unknown heirs.

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on March 27, 2027. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Permanent Version.*

(a)

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(b)

Not later than 20 days after appointment, a personal representative (except when notice under this subsection has already been given) shall send, by registered or certified mail to the heirs and legatees of the decedent and to all creditors whose identities are known or whose identities are reasonably ascertainable by reasonably diligent efforts, the text of the first newspaper notice of the appointment of such representative, and the following general information in a form developed by the Court:

(1)

the typical duties of a personal representative in estate administration, including a description of the essential steps of estate administration, whether the personal representative is subject to continuing court supervision as provided in section 20-401 et seq., or is an unsupervised personal representative;

(2)

how fees for estate administration are determined in this jurisdiction and that the personal representative is to be provided as soon as feasible with an estimate of fees to be claimed against the estate;

(3)

the rights of heirs or legatees, the assistance an heir or legatee may provide to the personal representative, and the role of the Register, whether the personal representative is subject to continuing court supervision as provided in section 20-401 et seq., or is an unsupervised personal representative. The personal representative shall certify to the Register that notices under this subsection have been given, whether the personal representative is subject to continuing court supervision as provided in section 20-401 et seq., or is an unsupervised personal representative; and

(4)

if the personal representative is not subject to continuing court supervision, the right of any interested person, on petition to the Court duly presented and filed with the Register, to initiate a proceeding involving notice to interested persons and a hearing to impose Court supervision on the estate, or to seek any other court order necessary for protection of rights of the interested person.

(b-1)

The personal representative shall certify to the Register that notices under subsection (b) of this section have been given.

(b-2)

Within 90 days after the appointment of the personal representative, the personal representative (whether supervised or unsupervised) shall certify to the Register that the notices required under subsection (b) of this section above have been given.

(c)

If a will is admitted to probate after notice has been given under subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the personal representative shall give notice of appointment or reappointment as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section: except, that ordinary mail may be substituted for registered or certified mail in accordance with section 20-103.