{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-19-1512","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 19-1512","heading":"Delivery or filing.","body":"(a)\nFor the purposes of this section, the term “beneficiary designation” means an instrument, other than an instrument creating a trust, naming the beneficiary of:\n(1)\nAn annuity or insurance policy;\n(2)\nAn account with a designation for payment on death;\n(3)\nA security registered in beneficiary form;\n(4)\nA pension, profit-sharing, retirement, or other employment-related benefit plan; or\n(5)\nAny other nonprobate transfer at death.\n\n(b)\nSubject to subsections (c) through (l) of this section, delivery of a disclaimer may be effected by personal delivery, first-class mail, or any other method likely to result in its receipt.\n\n(c)\nIn the case of an interest created under the law of intestate succession or an interest created by will, other than an interest in a testamentary trust:\n(1)\nA disclaimer must be delivered to the personal representative of the decedent’s estate; or\n(2)\nIf no personal representative is then serving, it must be filed with a court having jurisdiction to appoint the personal representative.\n\n(d)\nIn the case of an interest in a testamentary trust:\n(1)\nA disclaimer must be delivered to the trustee then serving, or if no trustee is then serving, to the personal representative of the decedent’s estate; or\n(2)\nIf no personal representative is then serving, it must be filed with a court having jurisdiction to enforce the trust.\n\n(e)\nIn the case of an interest in an inter vivos trust:\n(1)\nA disclaimer must be delivered to the trustee then serving;\n(2)\nIf no trustee is then serving, it must be filed with a court having jurisdiction to enforce the trust; or\n(3)\nIf the disclaimer is made before the time the instrument creating the trust becomes irrevocable, it must be delivered to the settlor of a revocable trust or the transferor of the interest.\n\n(f)\nIn the case of an interest created by a beneficiary designation which is disclaimed before the designation becomes irrevocable, the disclaimer must be delivered to the person making the beneficiary designation.\n\n(g)\nIn the case of an interest created by a beneficiary designation which is disclaimed after the designation becomes irrevocable:\n(1)\nThe disclaimer of an interest in personal property must be delivered to the person obligated to distribute the interest; and\n(2)\nThe disclaimer of an interest in real property must be recorded with the Recorder of Deeds.\n\n(h)\nIn the case of a disclaimer by a surviving holder of jointly held property, the disclaimer must be delivered to the person to whom the disclaimed interest passes.\n\n(i)\nIn the case of a disclaimer by an object or taker in default of exercise of a power of appointment at any time after the power was created:\n(1)\nThe disclaimer must be delivered to the holder of the power or to the fiduciary acting under the instrument that created the power; or\n(2)\nIf no fiduciary is then serving, it must be filed with a court having authority to appoint the fiduciary.\n\n(j)\nIn the case of a disclaimer by an appointee of a nonfiduciary power of appointment:\n(1)\nThe disclaimer must be delivered to the holder, the personal representative of the holder’s estate, or to the fiduciary under the instrument that created the power, or\n(2)\nIf no fiduciary is then serving, it must be filed with a court having authority to appoint the fiduciary.\n\n(k)\nIn the case of a disclaimer by a fiduciary of a power over a trust or estate, the disclaimer must be delivered as provided in subsection (c), (d), or (e) of this section, as if the power disclaimed were an interest in property.\n\n(l)\nIn the case of a disclaimer of a power by an agent, the disclaimer must be delivered to the principal or the principal’s representative.","path":["Title 19. Descent, Distribution, and Trusts. [Enacted title]","Chapter 15. Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/19-1512","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"c6c64c8e264c9df5adf4940d006878b702bdd244545d0a56334c201759eb2d84","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-19-1511","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-19-1513"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}