District Of Columbia § 20-324 - Action on petition.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 20-324 — Action on petition., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 20-324. Action on petition.
20-324In a standard probate proceeding:
Proof of due execution shall be made by affidavit of the witnesses as provided in paragraph (3) of this section unless the Court orders otherwise.
After proof of due execution, the Court shall enter an order admitting the will to probate or determining that the decedent died intestate. At this time, the Court shall also appoint or reappoint one or more personal representatives, may order that the administration will be supervised as provided in section 20-402, and, if appropriate, revoke, modify, or confirm any action taken at any prior abbreviated probate, small estates or standard probate proceeding.
Affidavits of due execution shall be in substantially the following form:
On this _____ day of __________ 19 ___, _______________ personally appeared and, under oath answered the following questions as follows:
1. Were you one of the witnesses who signed the attached written document which is dated ____________ and is said to be the last will and testament of __________ of the District of Columbia who is now dead? (Please initial appropriate box.)
____ Yes ____ No
2. Did sign the attached document while
(the testator)
in your presence?
____ Yes ____ No
3. Did say the attached document was to be a
(the testator)
part of his will?
____ Yes ____ No
4. At the time he signed the attached document, did __________
(the testator)
seem to you to be of sound mind and aware of what he was doing?
____ Yes ____ No
5. Did ask you to sign the attached document
(the testator)
as a witness?
____ Yes ____ No
6. When you signed the attached document as a witness, were
(the testator)
and all of the other witnesses who signed the document present?
____ Yes ____ No
7. Were you present when each of the other witnesses signed the attached document?
____ Yes ____ No
8. Did ask the other people who signed the
(the testator)
attached document to do so as witnesses?
____ Yes ____ No
9. Was present when each of the witnesses signed
(the testator)
the attached document?
____ Yes ____ No
10. What is your date of birth? __________
11. Do you know of any will or codicil of __________ other than the
(the testator)
attached document?
____ Yes ____ No
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 20-324
What does D.C. Code § 20-324 cover?
Section 20-324 ("Action on petition.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 20-324?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 20-324" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 20-324 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.