Future Planning & Probate Program

You can get legal help completing basic documents to plan for the future. These are documents individuals may need to maintain control over their lives as they age, or in the event they become incapacitated, or pass away.

• Healthcare Power of Attorney and Advance Directive
• General Durable Power of Attorney
• Disposition of Bodily Remains
• Last Will and Testament
• Standby Guardianship
• Parental Power of Attorney

You can also get help with probate for handling a deceased loved one’s property.

For more information, contact Managing Attorney, Murray Scheel at [email protected] or 202-780-2593.

Probate Legal Assistance Network (PLAN)

The Probate Legal Assistance Network (PLAN) is comprised of three nonprofit legal services providers: the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center; Legal Counsel for the Elderly; and DC Affordable Law Firm. These organizations work together to assist DC residents with probate estate administration matters.

An attorney from the Probate Legal Assistance Network (PLAN) is available in the Self-Help Center of the D.C. Superior Court Probate Division on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for members of the public seeking brief, same-day advice or assistance with probate estate administration matters.

A PLAN Attorney Can:

• Answer probate estate questions
• Provide information and background on the probate estate process
• Provide limited general legal advice
• Help prepare probate estate forms

PLAN attorneys are not available to provide same-day representation in court hearings.

PLAN attorneys cannot assist with guardianship or conservatorship.

Please note:

• PLAN is not part of the court. Our organizations are independent from the court. For the benefit of the public, the court allows us to provide help on site at the court, but none of our attorneys or staff work for the court.
• Your discussions with PLAN attorneys are confidential. PLAN attorneys will not report back to the court’s Probate Self-Help Center staff or other members of the court about anything you discuss with a PLAN attorney.
• Though PLAN attorneys are available to help, they will not file any documents with the court on your behalf. You will need to file any document or report any required information to the court yourself.
• PLAN attorneys and their organizations provide brief advice only, and such brief advice does not, by itself, commit the attorneys or their organizations to any ongoing attorney-client relationship with you at this time.

Are you a retired firefighter or veteran in D.C. who is in need of will writing services? Click here to learn more about our Wills for Heroes program.