STATUTE 79 Pg685

79 STAT. ] PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPT.
14, 1965 685

Public Law 89-183
AN A C T September 14, 1965
To enact Part I I I of the District of Columbia Code, entitled "Decedents' Estates [H. R. 4465]
and Fiduciary Relations", codifying the general and permanent laws relating
to decedents' estates and fiduciary relations in the District of Columbia.
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the

United States of America in Congress assembled, That the general P aD.C. r t III.
Code,
and permanent laws of the District of Columbia relating to wills and ^ Decadents'
the probate of wills, descent and distribution, administration of ^?!^*^^ ^"^^ ^
decedents' estates, certain fiduciary relations, including provisions t i o' n"'=
s.
^^'"y
relating to guardians and wards, gifts to minors, and fiduciaries gen-
erally, and the mentally ill, are revised, codified, and enacted as Part
III of the District of Columbia Code, "Decedents' Estates and
Fiduciary Eelations", and may be cited "D.C. Code § —", as follows:
PART III
DECEDENTS' ESTATES AND FIDUCIARY
RELATIONS
TITLE SECTION
18. WILLS AND PROBATE OF WILLS 18-101
19. DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION 19-101
20. ADMINISTRATION OF DECEDENTS' ESTATES 20-101
21. FIDUCIARY RELATIONS AND THE MENTALLY ILL 21-101
TITLE 18—WILLS AND PROBATE OF WILLS

CHAPTEB Sec.
1. GENEKAL PROVISIONS 18-101
3. DEVISES AND BEQUESTS 18-301
5. PBOBATE OF WILLS 1&-501
CHAPTER 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec.
18-101. Definitions.
18-102. Capacity to make a will.
18-103. Execution of written will; attestation.
18-104. Devises, legacies, etc., to attesting witnesses.
18-105. Retention or demand of void devise or legacy by attesting witness
prohibited.
18-106. Creditors as competent witnesses.
18-107. Nuncupative wills.
18-108. Execution of power by will.
18-109. Revocation of wills; revival.
18-110. Opening will before delivery to Probate Court.
18-111. Withholding wilL
18-112. Taking and carrying away, or destroying, mutilating, or secreting will.
§ 18-101. Definitions
As used in this title, unless the context requires a different meaning:
words importing the singular include the plural, and words import-
ing the plural include the singular;
words importing the masculine gender include all genders;
the present tense includes the future as well as the present;
"District Court" means the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia; and
"Probate Court" and "court", respectively^ mean the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia m the exercise of its pro-
bate jurisdiction.
686 PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPT. 14, 1965 [79 STAT.
§ 18-102. Capacity to make a will

A will, testament, or codicil is not valid for any purpose unless the
person making it is:
(1) if a male, at least 21 years of age; or
(2) if a female, at least 18 years of age—
and, at the time of executing or acknowledgmg it as provided by this
chapter, of sound and disposing mind and capable of executing a
valid deed or contract.
§ 18-103. Execution of written will; attestation
A will or testament, other than a will executed in the manner pro-
vided by section 18-107, is void unless it is:
(1) in writing and signed by the testator, or by another person
in his presence and by his express direction; and
(2) attested and subscribed in the presence of the testator, by
at least two credible witnesses.
§ 18-104. Devises, legacies, etc., to attesting witnesses
(a) A beneficial devise, legacy, estate, interest, gift, or power of
appointment of or affecting real or personal estate, given or made to an
attesting witness to a will or codicil is void as to him and persons
claiming under him, except as provided by subsections (b) and (c)
of this section.
(b) Where an interested witness to a will or codicil, referred to in
subsection (a) of this section, would be entitled to a share of the estate
of the testator in case the will or codicil were not established, he or per-
sons claiming under him shall take such portion of the devise or
bequest made to him in the will or codicil as does not exceed the share
of the estate which would be distributed to him or persons claiming
under him in case of intestacy.
(c) The voidance provided for by subsection (a) of this section
does not apply to charges on real estate for the payment of debts.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, an interested
witness referred to therein, whether an heir at law or not, is not dis-
qualified as a competent witness to the execution of the will or codicil
by reason of his interest.
§ 18-105. Retention or demand of void devise or legacy by attest-
ing witness prohibited
A person to whom a beneficial devise, legacy, estate, interest, gift,
or power of appointment is given or made in a will or codicil, which is
void under section 18-103, may not, in any manner or under any color
or pretense whatsoever:
(1) demand or take possession of or receive any profits or bene-
fit of or from the devise, legacy estate, interest, gift, or power of
appointment so given or made; or
(2) demand, receive, or accept from another person the bene-
ficial devise, legacy estate, interest, gift, or power of appointment
or any satisfaction or compensation therefor.
§ 18-106. Creditors a s competent witnesses
A mere charge in a will or codicil on the estate of a testator for
the payment of debts does not disqualify a creditor from being a com-
petent witness to the will or codicil.
§ 18-107. Nuncupative wills
A nuncupative will made after January 1, 1902, is not valid in the
District of Columbia except that a person in actual military or naval
service or a mariner at sea may dispose of his personal property by
word of mouth, if:
(1) his oral disposition of the property is proved by at least
two witnesses who were present at the making thereof and were
79 STAT. ] PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPT. 14, 1965 687
requested by the testator to bear witness that the disposition was

his last will; and
(2) the will is made during the time of the last illness of the
deceased; and
(3) the substance of the will is reduced to writing within 10
days after it was made.
§ 18-108. Execution of power by will
A n appointment made by will in the exercise of a power is not valid
unless it is so executed that it would be valid for the disposition of the
property to which the power applies if it belonged to the testator.
§ 18-109. Revocation of wills; revival
(a) A will or codicil, or a part thereof, may not be revoked, except
by implication of law, otherwise than by
(1) a later will, codicil, or other writing declaring the revoca-
tion, executed as provided by section 18-103 or 18-107; or
(2) burning, tearing, cancelling, or obliterating the will or
codicil, or the part thereof, with the intention of revoking it, by
the testator himself, or by a person in his presence and by his
express direction and consent.
(b) A will or codicil, or a j)art thereof, after it is revoked, may not
be revived otherwise than by its re-execution, or by a codicil executed
as provided in the case of wills, and then only to the extent to which an
intention to revive is shown.
§ 18-110. Opening will before delivery to Probate Court
A person having possession or custody of a testamentary instrument
may, after the death of the testator, open and read it in the presence
of near relatives of the deceased, who may conveniently have notice
thereof, and of other persons, and immediately thereafter may deliver
the will or codicil to the Probate Court or the Register of Wills, until
proceedings may be held for the purpose of proving it or other action
is taken thereon.
§ 18-111. Withholding will
Whoever, having possession of a testamentary instrument, willfully penalty.
neglects, for the period of 90 days after the death of the testator
becomes known to him, to deliver it to the Probate Court, or to the
Register of Wills, or to an executor named in the instrument, shall be
fined not more than $500.
§ 18-112. Taking and carrying away, or destroying, mutilating, or
secreting will
Whoever, during the life or after the death of the testator, for a Penalty.
fraudulent purpose, takes and carries away, or destroys, mutilates, or
secretes, a testamentary instrument, shall be imprisoned not more than
five years.
CHAPTER 3—DEVISES A N D BEQUESTS
Sec.
18-301. Estates disposable by will.
18-302. Devises or bequests for religions purposes.
18-303. General devise and bequest of all property.
18-304. Devise of land to include leaseholds.
18-305. After-acquired real property.
18-306. "Pour-over" trusts.
18-307. Advancement as satisfaction of devise or bequest.
18-308. Death of devisee or legatee; lapsed or void devises or bequests.
§ 18-^01. Estates disposable by will
The real and personal estate of a person, which may pass by deed
or gift, or which would, in case of the owner's dying intestate, descend
to or devolve upon his heirs or other legal representatives, may be
disposed of, transferred, and passed by his last will, testament, or
codicil, in accordance with this Part.
§ 18-302. Devises or bequests for religious purposes
A devise or bequest of real or personal property to a minister,
priest, rabbi, public teacher, or preacher of the gospel, as such, or to
a religious sect, order, or denomination, or to or for the support, use,
or benefit thereof, or in trust therefor, is not valid unless it is made
at least 30 days before the death of the testator.
§ 18-303. General devise and bequest of all property
A devise and bequest purporting to be of all real or personal prop-
erty, or both, belonging to the testator, includes also all property of
either or both kinds, respectively, over which he has a general power
of appointment, unless a contrary intention appears in the testamen-
tary instrument containing the devise or bequest.
§ 18-304. Devise of land to include leaseholds
A devise of the land of a testator, or of his land in any place, or in
the occupation of a person named or otherwise described in a general
manner, includes his leasehold estates or those to which the descrip-
tions extend, as well as freehold estates, unless a contrary intention
appears in the testamentary instrument containing the devise.
§ 18-305. After-acquired real property
(a) A will executed after January 17,1887, and before January 1,
1902, devising real property, from which it appears that it was the
intention of the testator to devise property acquired after the execu-
tion of the will, operates as a valid devise of all after-acquired real
property.
(b) A will executed after January 1,1902, which by words of gen-
eral import devises all the estate or all the property of the testator,
operates as a valid devise of real property acquired by the testator
after the execution of the will, unless it appears therefrom that it was
not the intention of the testator to devise the after-acquired real
property.
§ 18-306. "Pour over" trusts
(a) BEQUESTS OR DEVISES TO TRUSTEE UNDER, OR IN ACCORDANCE
W I T H TERMS OF, EXISTING TRUSTS.—A devise or bequest may be made
in a will or codicil, otherwise valid, in form or substance to the trustees
under, or in accordance with the terms of, a written inter vivos trust,
including an unfunded life insurance trust, although the settlor has
reserved rights of ownership in the insurance contracts, which has
been executed and is in existence prior to or contemporaneously with
the execution of the will or codicil and is identified in the will or
codicil, without regard to the size or character of the corpus of the
trust, or whether the settlor is the testator or a third person.
The devise or bequest is not invalid because the trust is subject to
amendment or modification or may be terminated or revoked after the
will or codicil is executed, whether by the settlor or any other person
or persons, nor because the trust instrument or an amendment thereto
was not executed in the manner required by law for wills or codicils.
Unless the will or codicil otherwise provides:
(1) the devise or bequest is not invalid because the trust was
amended or modified after the will or codicil was executed, and
the devise or bequest shall be given effect in accordance with the
terms of the trust as they appear in writing on the date of death
of the testator, including any amendment or modification;
(2) property passing under the devise or bequest passes di-
rectly to the trustees or the inter vivos trust and becomes a part
of the assets of the trust, and is not deemed to be held under a
separate testamentary trust;
(3) an entire revocation of the trust prior to the death of the
testator invalidates the devise or bequest even though the revoca-
tion was not effected in the manner provided by law for the
revocation of wills and codicils;
(4) a termination of the trust, except bv way of revocation, in
accordance with the terms of the trust or by its exhaustion or by
operation of law or otherwise does not invalidate the devise or
bequest.
(b) BEQUESTS OR DEVISES TO TRUSTEE UNDER, OR I N ACCORDANCE
W I T H TERMS OF, TESTAMENTARY TRUSTS.—A devise or bequest may be
made in a will or codicil, otherwise valid, in form or substance to the
trustees under, or in accordance with the terms of, a testamentary
trust established under another valid will or codicil. The devise or
bequest is not invalid because the testamentary trust or the will or
codicil establishing the testamentary trust was not in existence when
the will or codicil containing the devise or bequest was executed, if the
testator of the will or codicil establishing the testamentary trust pre-
deceases the testator of the will or codicil containing the devise or
bequest, and the will or codicil establishing the testamentary trust is
admitted to probate.
Unless the will otherwise provides:
(1) property passing under the devise or bequest is deemed to
pass directly to the trustees of the testamentary trust and becomes
a part of the assets of the trust, and is not deemed to be held under
a separate testamentary trust;
(2) a termination of the trust in accordance with the terms of
the trust or by its exhaustion or by operation of law or otherwise
does not invalidate the devise or bequest.
(c) This section applies to a devise or bequest made by a testator
living on December 5,1963, or born subsequent thereto, without regard
to the date of execution of the will or codicil containing the devise or
bequest or of the trust instrument, or an amendment thereto.
(d) This section does not affect the validity, as existing before
December 5, 1963, of:
(1) a devise or bequest made by a testator who died prior to
December 5,1963; or
(2) a devise or bequest which does not come within this section.
§ 18-307. Advancement as satisfaction of devise or bequest
An advancement or a provision for an advancement to a person is
a satisfaction, in whole or in part, of a devise or bequest to that per-
son contained in a previous will if it would be so deemed in case the
devisee or legatee were the child of the testator; and, whether he is
a child or not, it shall be so deemed where it appears from parol or
other evidence to be so intended.
§ 18-308. Death of devisee or legatee; lapsed or void devises or
bequests
Unless a different disposition is made or required by the will, if a
devisee or legatee dies before the testator, leaving issue who survive
the testator, the issue shall take the estate devised or bequeathed as
the devisee or legatee would have done if he had survived the testator.
Unless a contrary intention appears b ^ the will, the property com-
prised in a devise or bequest m a will that fails or is void or is
otherwise incapable of taking effect, shall be deemed included in the
residuary devise or bequest, if any, contained in the will.
CHAPTER 5—PROBATE OF WILLS

Sec.
18-501. Notice of petition for probate.
18-502. Notice to nonresidents and unfound residents.
18-503. Notice to unlinown kin or heirs at law.
18-504. Probate; waiver of notice ; proof of execution.
18-505. Proof of wills; testimony; witnesses outside District.
18-506. Appearance of persons not cited.
18-507. Admission to probate.
18-508. Caveat; will not to be. probated while issues pending.
18-509. Caveat; time for filing.
18-510. Prior will not to be probated pending issues.
18-511. Guardian ad litem.
18-512. Plenary proceedings.
18-513. Trial of issues ; jury ; notice; service; absent parties; judgment.
18-514. Wills filed prior to June 8, 1898, may be probated as of real estate.
§ 18-501. Notice of petition for probate
(a) Upon the filing of a petition for probate of a will, the notice
provided by this section and sections 18-502 and 18-503, shall be
issued to each person who would be entitled to or interested in the estate
of the testator if the will had not been executed, to appear in the Pro-
bate Court on a date named in the notice, if he has cause to show why
the prayer of the petition should not be granted.
(b) The notice may be by a citation in which the return date named
is not earlier than 10 days after the filing of the petition. The United
States marshal or deputy marshal shall serve the citation in the Dis-
trict of Columbia not less than 5 days before the return day named in
the citation.
§ 18-502. Notice to nonresidents and unfound residents
(a) Where a person entitled to notice under section 18-501 (a)
is a nonresident of the District of Columbia or is a resident
of the District who has been returned "Not to be found" under sub-
section (b) of that section, the notice may be by a citation in which
the return date named is not less than 20 days after the filing of the
petition. The citation shall be served not less than 10 days before
the return date named therein and only by a person not less than 18
years of age, who is not a party to or otherwise interested in the estate
of the decedent. The return, showing the time and place of service,
shall be made under oath in the District of Columbia, unless the
person making the service is a sheriff or deputy sheriff, or a marshal
or deputy marshal, authorized to serve process where service is made.
(b) When there is proof by the petition for probate or by other
affidavit that any or all of the persons, interested as described by
section 18-501 ( a ) , are nonresidents of the District of Columbia, or
when any of them has been returned "Not to be found" under sub-
section (b) of that section, the notice may be by a publication in
which the return date named is not less than 30 days after the date of
the first appearance of the publication. The notice shall be published
once in each of three successive weeks in a newspaper of general
circulation in the District of Columbia. A copy of the published
notice shall be mailed to the last-known address of each person
referred to in this subsection who is not shown to have been returned
served personally under section 18-501 (b) or subsection (a) of this
section. The court may by general rule prescribe the form of the
notice by publication, and may order such other publication as the
case requires.
§ 18-503. Notice to unknown kin or heirs at law
(a) When it appears to the satisfaction of the court that all or any
of the next of kin or heirs at law of the deceased are unknown, they
may be proceeded against and described in the publication of notice
provided for by section 18-502 (b) as "the unknown next of kin,"
or "the unknown heirs at law," as the case may be, of the deceased, and
the publication of the notice under that designation is as effectual
against them as if known and their names were specifically set forth
in the order of publication.
(b) If a will was admitted to probate prior to June 30,1902, upon
publication against unknown next of kin or heirs, a person interested
may file a petition for further probate of the will, alleging that the
next of kin or heirs at law of the deceased, or some of them, as the
case may be, are unknown, and upon satisfactory showing being made
to the court publication of notice may be made against the unknown
next of kin or heirs at law of the deceased. Upon the publication
being made, as required by the court, a decree may be made confirming
the previous probate. The decree is as effectual as if the unknown
next of kin or heirs at law were named in the order of publication.
§ 18-504. Probate; waiver of notice; proof of execution
When the notice prescribed by sections 18-501 to 18-503 has been
completed or if all parties interested adversely to the will have
waived the notice and consent that the will be admitted to probate
and record, the court shall proceed, if a caveat is not filed, to take
the proofs, or to consider the proofs theretofore taken, of the execu-
tion of the will. All the witnesses to the will who are within the
District of Columbia and competent to testify shall be produced and
examined or the absence of any of them satisfactorily accounted for.
A will may not be admitted to probate and record except upon formal
proof of its proper execution.
§ 18-505. Proof of wills; testimony; witnesses outside District
(a) When a will contains a devise of real estate, and an attesting
witness thereto residing in the District of Columbia is unable to attend
the court, the Register of Wills may, with the will, attend upon the
witness and take his testimony. When the testimony of resident
attesting witnesses to the will has been taken, and other attesting
witnesses reside out of the District or are temporarily absent from
the District, but are within the United States, it is sufficient, for the
purpose of proving the will, to prove the signatures of the nonresident
and temporarily absent witnesses.
(b) When the attesting witnesses to a will mentioned in sub-
section (a) of this section are out of the District as specified in that
subsection, or if one or more are within the United States and one
or more are in a foreign country, it is sufficient, for the purpose of
proving the will, to take the testimony of any one or all of them
within the United States, as the Probate Court determines, and to
prove the signatures of those whose testimony is not required to be
taken.
(c) If all the attesting witnesses to a will mentioned in subsection
(a) of this section are out of the United States, it is sufficient, for the
purpose of proving the will, to take the testimony of such of them as
the court requires, and to prove the signatures of the others.
(d) The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure apply to the taking and ^s use app.
use of testimony of out-of-District witnesses as provided by this sec-
tion. The original will or codicil shall be sent with the notice or
order of appointment or commission, or letters rogatory, and exhibited
to the witnesses.
(e) A notice of the time and place of taking testimony need not be
given unless probate is opposed.
§ 18-506. Appearance of persons not cited
A person, although not cited, who is interested in sustaining or
defeating a will, may appear and support or oppose the application
to admit it to probate.
§ 18-507. Admission to probate

When, upon hearing the proofs, the court is of the opinion that the
will was duly executed and the testator was competent to execute it,
and a caveat is not filed against the admission of the will to probate,
the court shall decree that the will be admitted to probate and record.
§ 18-508. Caveat; will not to be probated while issues pending
If, prior to or upon the hearing of an application to admit a will to
probate, a party in interest files a verified caveat in opposition,
setting forth facts inconsistent with the validity of the will, the
will may not be admitted to probate until the issues raised by the
caveat are determined, as directed by this chapter.
§ 18-509. Caveat; time for filing
After a will has been admitted to probate, a person in interest may,
within six months from the date of the order of probate, file a verified
caveat to the will, praying that the probate thereof be revoked.
§ 18-510. Prior will not to be probated pending issues
While issues raised by a caveat are pending, either for trial or on
appeal, a prior will may not be admitted to probate.
§ 18-511. Guardian ad litem
When a party interested as specified by this chapter is an infant or
of imsound mind, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to repre-
sent him at the hearing of the application to admit the will to probate,
with authority to file a caveat, as he may be advised, in behalf of the
interested party.
§ 18-512. Plenary proceedings
I n all cases of controversy the court may direct a plenary proceeding
to be had, by bill or petition, to which there shall be answer under
oath, which may be compelled by the usual process, and all the deposi-
tions shall be taken down in writing and filed; or, if either party
requires it, the court shall direct an issue to be framed for trial by
a jury.
§ 18-513. Trial of issues; jury; notice; service; absent parties;
judgment
(a) When a caveat is filed, issues shall be framed under the direction
of the court for trial by a jury, except that, if all persons interested
are sui juris and before the court, and give written consent to trial
without a jury, the issues may be tried and determined by the court.
When the issues are to be tried by a jury, they are triable in the
Probate Court by petit jurors drawn for regular service in the District
Court.
(b) At least 10 days prior to the time of trial of the issues as to a
will, each heir at law or next of kin of the decedent, or both together,
as the case requires, and each person claiming under the will in ques-
tion or other instrument on file purporting to be a will of the decedent,
shall be served with a copy of the issues and a notification of the time
and place of the trial. Before the trial, the court shall appoint a
guardian ad litem for each of them who is an infant or of unsound
mind.
(c) If, as to a party in interest, the notification provided for by
subsection (b) of this section is returned "Not to be found", the court
shall assign a new day for the trial, and shall order publication, at least
twice a week for a period of not less than four weeks, of the substance
of the issues and of the date fixed for the trial thereof, in a newspaper
of general circulation in the District of Columbia, and may order such
further publication as the case requires. Personal service upon absent
parties is not essential to the jurisdiction of the court. From time to
time, the court may prescribe and revise rules for service personally
upon the party outside the District of Columbia of a copy of the
issues and of the notification.
(d) The proceeding for impaneling a jury for the trial of the issues
as to a will is the same as in civil actions. Subject to the right of ap-
peal and to such revision as the common law provides, the verdict of
the jury and the judgment of the court thereupon, or the judgment of
the court without a jury, as the case may be, is res judicata as to all
persons. The validity of the judgment may not be impeached or
examined collaterally.
§ 18-514. Wills filed prior to June 8,1898, may be probated as of
real estate
A person interested under a will filed in the office of the Register
of Wills for the District of Columbia prior to J u n e 8,1898, may offer
the will for probate as a will of real estate, whereupon such proceed-
ings shall be had as this Code authorizes in regard to wills offered for
probate after that date.
TITLE 19—DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION

CHAPTBE Sec.
1. RIGHTS OF SURVIVING SPOUSE AND CHILDREN 19-101
3. INTESTATES' ESTATES 19-301
5. SIMULTANEOUS DEATHS—UNIFORM LAW 19-501
7. ESCHEAT 19-701
CHAPTER 1—RIGHTS OF SURVIVING SPOUSE AND
CHILDREN
Sec.
19-101. Family allowance; construction; penalties,
19-102. Dower; quarantine; curtesy abolished.
19-103. Forfeiture of dower by desertion and adultery.
19-104. Absent or incompetent spouse.
19-105. Jointure before marriage as bar to dower.
19-106. Jointure after marriage; election.
19-107. Effect of acts of one spouse.
19-108. Recovery of dower withheld; damages.
19-109. Recovery of dower obtained by default or collusion; damages.
19-110. Assignment by guardian; rights of heir.
19-111. Reendowment upon eviction from jointure.
19-112. Devise or bequest to spouse.
19-113. Renunciation of devises and bequests; election; time limitations; re-
nunciation or election by guardian or fiduciary; maximum rights;
effect of no devise or bequest or if nothing passes under either; ante-
nuptial or postnuptial agreements.
19-114. Rights of surviving spouse if there is no renunciation.
§19-101. Family allowance; construction; penalties
(a) Upon the death of a person leaving a surviving spouse, the
spouse is entitled to an allowance out of the personal estate of the
decedent of the sum of $500 for the personal use of himself and of
minor children. The allowance shall be paid in money, or in specific
property at its fair value, as the surviving spouse may elect. I t is
exempt from all debts and obligations of the decedent, and is subject
only to the payment of funeral expenses not exceeding $200.
(b) When there is no surviving spouje, the surviving minor children,
if any, are entitled to the allowance provided for by subsection (a)
of this section. This allowance is payable, in the discretion of the
Probate Court, to the person having custody of the children, or to such
other person as the court designates. The person to whom the allow-
ance is paid shall use it solely for the care and maintenance of ths
children.
(c) The allowance provided for by this section is in addition to

the respective shares of the surviving spouse and children.
(d) This section applies to estates of all persons dying after June
24, 1949; and if there is any conflict or inconsistency between this
section and other provisions of this P a r t or any other law, this section
controls.
(e) Whoever, with respect to the family allowance authorized by
this section:
(1) makes a false affidavit; or
(2) willfully violates an order of the Probate Court; or
(3) willfully violates a provision of this section—
shall be fined not more than $500 for each offense.
§19-102. Dower; quarantine; curtesy abolished
(a) The widow of a deceased man, with respect to parties who inter-
married prior to November 29, 1957, or the widow or widower of a
deceased person dying after March 15, 1962, is entitled to dower and
its incidents as the rights thereto were known at common law with
respect to widows, including the use, during her or his natural life,
of one-third part of all the lands on which the deceased spouse was
seized of an estate of inheritance at any time during the marriage. The
surviving spouse entitled to dower under this section may remain in the
chief dwelling house of the decedent 40 days after the death, without
being liable for rent therefor, within which period the dower of the
surviving spouse, if not previously assigned to her or him, shall be so
assigned. In the meantime, the surviving spouse may have reasonable
sustenance out of the estate of the decedent.
(b) The right of dower and its incidents provided for by subsection
(a) of this section entitles the widow or widower to lands held by the
deceased spouse at any time during the marriage, whether by legal or
equitable title, and whether held by the decedent at the time of death,
or not, but the right does not operate to the prejudice of a claim for
the purchase money of the lands or other lien thereon.
(c) The right of dower provided for by this section does not attach
to lands held by two or more persons as joint tenants while the joint
lenancy exists. A husband may not claim a right of dower in land
which his wife, during the coverture, conveyed or transferred to
{mother person by her sole deed prior to November 29, 1957.
(d) "With respect to the real estate of a wife dying after November
29,1957, there is no estate by the curtesy.
§ 19-103. Forfeiture of dower by desertion and adultery
(a) A person who voluntarily abandons or deserts his or her spouse
and lives with another person with whom he or she commits adultery,
and who is convicted of the adultery by a court having jurisdiction,
forfeits the right to dower, and is forever barred of an action to
demand it.
(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply if the aggrieved
spouse willingly, and without coercion, pardons the offending spouse
and permits the resumption of cohabitation.
§ 19-104. Absent or incompetent spouse
The spouse of a person who is insane, and has been so adjudicated
by a court of competent jurisdiction and the adjudication remains in
force, or who has been absent or unheard of for seven years, may grant
and convey by a separate deed, whether it is absolute or by way of
lease or mortgage, as fully as if he were unmarried, any real property
acquired by him since the adjudication or since the beginning of the
absence.
§ 19-105. Jointure before marriage as bar to dower
(a) Where real estate is conveyed to persons who intend to marry,
or to one of them alone, or to a person and his heirs and assigns, to the
use of persons who intend to marry, or to the use of one of them alone,
for the purpose of creating for the latter person mentioned in either
case a freehold estate for that person's life at least, and with his
assent before the marriage, to take effect in possession and profits
immediately upon the death of the other, the jointure bars his right or
claim of dower in all the real estate of the spouse. The assent of
the person for whose benefit the estate is created is evidenced by that
person's becoming a party to the conveyance by which it is settled, or,
if he is a minor, by his joining with the father or guardian thereof in
the conveyance.
(b) The jointure referred to in subsection (a) of this section is not
a oar to dower unless it is expressly made and declared to be in
satisfaction of the whole dower, and not of any particular part of it.
§ 19-106. Jointure after marriage; election
If, after persons intermarry, real estate is given or assured for
jointure of one of them, in lieu of dower, the person for whose benefit
the settlement is made, if he survives the other spouse, shall elect
to take the jointure or to claim the dower to which he is entitled under
section 19-102.
§ 19-107. E£fect of acts of one spouse
A judgment or decree confessed or recovered against one spouse,
and any laches, default, covin, forfeiture, or deed or conveyance of
one spouse without the assent of the other, evidenced by his acknowl-
edgment thereof in the manner required by law to pass the con-
tingent right of dower, does not prejudice the right of the other
spouse to dower, nor preclude him from the recovery thereof.
§ 19-108. Recovery of dower withheld; damages
When, in an action brought for the purpose, a surviving spouse
recovers dower in lands from the estate of the deceased spouse, the
surviving spouse may also, in the discretion of the court, recover in
the same action damages for the withholding of the dower.
§19-109. Recovery of dower obtained by default or collusion;
damages
If, during the infancy of an heir of a deceased spouse, or of any
other person entitled to the lands of the deceased spouse, the surviving
spouse, not having a right of dower, recovers dower by the default or
collusion of the guardian of the infant, the infant is not prejudiced
thereby, and when he comes of full age he has a right of action against
the surviving spouse to recover the lands so wrongfully awarded for
dower, with damages in the discretion of the court; but, if it is estab-
lished in an action brought under this section t h a t the surviving
spouse is entitled to the dower, he shall have judgment so declaring,
and may, in the discretion of the court, recover damages from the heir
or other person.
§ 19-110. Assignment by guardian; rights of heir

A guardian of a minor heir has the right of assignment or admeas-
urement of dower; but the heir, when he comes of full age, is not
barred by such an assignment if it was wrongfully made pursuant to
collusion between the guardian and the tenant in dower, and may have
the dower properly assigned or admeasured according to law.
§ 19-111. Reendowment upon eviction from jointure
A spouse who is lawfully evicted from lands settled upon him as
jointure in lieu of dower, or from a part thereof, is entitled to dower
to the extent or value of the lands from which he was evicted.
§ 19-112. Devise or bequest to spouse
Subject to section 19-114, and unless it is otherwise expressed in
the will, a devise of real estate or an interest therein, or a bequest
of personal estate or an interest therein, to the surviving spouse, bars
his or her share in the decedent's estate, and his or her dower rights.
§19-113. Renunciation of devises and bequests; election; time
limitations; renunciation or election by guardian or
fiduciary; maximum rights; effect of no devise or be-
quest or if nothing passes under either; antenuptial or
postnuptial agreements
(a) Subject to section 19-114, a surviving spouse is, by a devise or
bequest specified in section 19-112, barred of any statutory rights or
interest he has in the real and personal estate oi the deceased spousp
or dower rights, as the case may be, unless, within six months after
the will of the deceased spouse is admitted to probate, he files in the
Probate Court a written renunciation to the following effect:
" I , A B , widow [or surviving husband] of late of ,
deceased, renounce and quit all claim to any devise or bequest made
to me by the last will of my husband [or wife] exhibited and proved
according to law; and I elect to take in lieu thereof my legal share of
the real and personal estate of my deceased spouse (except that in
lieu of my legal share of the real estate, I elect to take dower in
all the real estate of my deceased spouse to which that right is
applicable)."
(b) I n similar manner, where the deceased spouse dies intestate of
real estate, and letters of administration are issued with respect to
the estate, the surviving spouse is barred of dower rights, unless, within
six months after the letters of administration have been issued with
respect to the estate of the deceased spouse, he files in the Probate
Court a written renunciation of his legal share of the intestate real
estate to the following effect:
" I , A B, widow [or surviving husband] of deceased, in
lieu of my legal share of the real estate of which my deceased spouse
died intestate, elect to take dower in all the real estate of my deceased
spouse to which that right is applicable."
(c) If, during the period of six months specified by subsection (a)
or (b) of this section, a suit is instituted to construe the will of the
deceased spouse, the period of six months for the filing of the renuncia-
tion or election commences to run from the date when the suit is
fijially determined. A renunciation or election may be made in behalf
of a spouse unable to act for himself by reason of infancy, incom-
petency, or inability to manage his property, by the guardian or other
fiduciary acting for the spouse when so authorized by the court having
jurisdiction of the person of the spouse. The time for renunciation

by a spouse may be extended before its expiration by an order of the
Probate Court for successive periods of not more than six months each
upon petition showing reasonable cause and on notice given to the per-
sonal representative and to the other persons herein referred to in such
manner as the Probate Court directs.
(d) Where a decedent has not made a devise or bequest to the spouse,
or nothing passes by a purported devise or bequest, the surviving
spouse is entitled to his legal share of the real and personal estate of
the deceased spouse without filing a written renunciation, but may,
instead, elect to take dower as provided by subsection (b) of this
section.
(e) The legal share of a surviving spouse under subsection (a)
or (d) of this section is such share or interest in the real or personal
property of the deceased spouse, including dower if elected in lieu
of the legal share in the real estate, as he would have taken if the
deceased spouse had died intestate, not to exceed one-half of the net
estate bequeathed and devised by the will, or, if dower is elected, one-
half of the net personal property bequeathed and dower in the real
estate devised.
(f) A valid antenuptial or postnuptial agreement entered into by the
spouses determines the rights of the surviving spouse in the real and
personal estate of the deceased spouse and the administration thereof,
but a spouse may accept the benefits of a devise or bequest made to him
by the deceased spouse.
§ 19-114. Rights of surviving spouse if there is no renunciation
A surviving spouse who does not renounce as provided by section
19-113 is entitled to the benefit of all provisions in his favor in the
will of the deceased spouse and shall share, in accordance with sec-
tions 19-301, 19-302, 19-303,19-304, and 20-1901, in any estate of the
deceased spouse undisposed of by the will.
CHAPTER 3—INTESTATES' ESTATES

Sec.
39-301. Course of descents generally.
1&-302. When surviving spouse entitled to whole.
19-303. When surviving spouse entitled to one-third.
19-304. When surviving spouse entitled to one-half.
19-305. Distribution of surplus after payment to surviving spouse.
19-306. Children to share equally.
19-307. Grandchildren's share.
19-308. Share of father and mother.
19-309. Share of brother or sister or their descendants.
19-310. Brothers and sisters to share equally.
19-311. Share of collateral relations.
19-312. Share of grandfather and grandmother.
19-313. Death of distributee before distribution.
19-314. Share of posthumous children.
19-315. No distinction between whole- and half-blood.
19-316. Share of illegitimate children; their issue; mother.
19-317. Trust estates.
19-318. Antenuptial children.
19-319. Advancements.
19-320. Felonious homicide as barring inheritance; insurance policies; bona
fide purchasers.
19-321. Descent through alien ancestor no bar.
§ 19-301. Course of descents generally
(a) The real estate in the District of Columbia, of a deceased person,
male or female, if not devised, shall descend in fee simple, and the
surplus of the personal estate of a deceased resident of the District,
if not bequeathed, shall be distributed, to the surviving spouse, chil-
dren, and other persons in the manner provided by this chapter. The
49-850 0-66—47
lieirs specified by this subsection take the real estate as tenants in

common in the same proportions as they take the surplus personal
estate as provided by this chapter.
(b) Subject to the right of dower, the real estate specified by sub-
section (a) of this section is liable, when the personal estate is in-
sufficient, for the payment of the intestate's funeral expenses, debts,
costs of administration, and estate, inheritance, and succession taxes in
the same manner and to the same extent as the personal estate of the
intestate. When the real estate is sold under a decree of a court having
Jurisdiction over it, the consent of the surviving spouse to the sale,
IS not required unless the surviving spouse elects to take dower.
§ 19-302. When surviving spouse entitled to whole
When the intestate leaves a surviving spouse and no child, parent,
grandchild, brother, or sister, or the child of a brother or sister of the
intestate, the surviving spouse is entitled to the whole.
§ 19-303. When surviving spouse entitled to one-third
When the intestate leaves a surviving spouse and a child, or a
descendant of a child, the surviving spouse is entitled to one-third.
§ 19-304. When surviving spouse entitled to one-half
When the intestate leaves a surviving spouse and no child or de-
scendant of the intestate, but a father or mother, or brother or sister,
or child of a brother or sister, the surviving spouse is entitled to
one-half.
§19-305. Distribution of surplus after payment to surviving
spouse
The surplus, above the share of the surviving spouse, or the whole
surplus, when there is no surviving spouse, descends and is distributed
as provided by this chapter and by section 19-701.
§ 19-306. Children to share equally
When the intestate leaves children and no other descendants, the
surplus is divided equally among them.
§ 19-^07. Grandchildren's share
(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, and to section 19-819,
when the intestate leaves a child and a child of a deceased child, the
child of the deceased child takes such share as his deceased parent
would, if living, be entitled to, and every other descendant in existence
at the death of the intestate stands in the place of his deceased ancestor.
(b) Those in equal degree claiming in the place of an ancestor take
equal shares.
§ 19-308. Share of father and mother
When the intestate leaves no child, or descendant, the whole is
divided equally between the father and mother or their survivors.
§ 19-309. Share of brother or sister or their descendants
When the intestate leaves a brother or sister, or child or descendant
of a brother or sister, and no child, descendant, or father or mother,
the brother, sister, or child or descendant of a brother or sister is
entitled to the whole.
§ 19-310. Brothers and sisters to share equally
Each brother and sister of the intestate is entitled to an equal share,
and the children or descendants of a brother or sister of the intestate,
stand in the place of their deceased parents respectively.
§ 19-311. Share of collateral relations

After children, descendants, parents, brothers, and sisters of the
deceased and their descendants, all collateral relations in equal degree
share, and representation among the collaterals is not allowed.
§ 19-312. Share of grandfather and grandmother
The grandparents, or such of them as survive, share alike where there
are no collaterals.
§ 19-313. Death of distributee before distribution
When a person entitled to distribution dies before the distribution is
made, his share goes to his estate or legal representatives.
§ 19-314. Share of posthumous children
A right in the inheritance to real or personal property does not ac-
crue to or vest in a person other than the children of the intestate and
their descendants, unless the person is in bein^ and capable in law to
take as heir or distributee at the time of the intestate's death; but a
child or descendant of the intestate born after the death of the intes-
tate has the same right of inheritance as if born before his death.
§ 19-315. No distinction between whole- and half-blood
There is no distinction between the kindred of the whole- and the
half-blood.
§ 19-316. Share of illegitimate children; their issue; mother
The illegitimate children of a female and the issue of illegitimate
children of a female are capable to take real and personal estate by
inheritance from their mother, or from each other, or from the de-
scendants of each other, as the case may be, in like manner as if born
in lawful wedlock.
When an illegitimate child of a female dies leaving no descendants,
or brothers or sisters, or descendants of brothers or sisters, the
mother of the illegitimate child is entitled to the real and personal
estate of the illegitimate child, and if the mother is dead, the heirs or
distributees of the mother share in like manner as if the illegitimate
child had been born in lawful wedlock.
§ 19-317. Trust estates.
When a trustee is seized of the naked legal estate in real estate in
fee simple, and dies intestate thereof, the legal estate descends accord-
ing to section 19-301 to the persons who would inherit the beneficial
estate if it were vested in them.
§ 19-318. Antenuptial children
When a man has a child by a woman whom he afterwards marries,
the child, if acknowledged by the man, is, in virtue of the marriage
and acknowledgment, legitimated and capable in law of inheriting
and transmitting heritable property as if born in wedlock.
§ 19-319. Advancements
(a) If a child or descendant has been advanced by the intestate dur-
ing the intestate's lifetime, by settlement or portion, real estate or per-
sonal estate, the value thereof is reckoned for the purposes of descent
and distribution as part of the estate of the intestate descendible and to
be divided among his heirs or distributed to his distributees. Where
the advancement is equal to or greater than a share, the child or
descendant is excluded from any further share in the estate of the
intestate and is not liable to refund any part of the amount so ad-
vanced; but the surviving spouse has no advantage by bringing
the advancement into reckoning. Where the advancement is less than
a share, the child or descendant receives so much, only, of the per-
sonal estate, and inherits so much, only, of the real estate, of the intes-
tate, as is sufficient to make all the shares of all the children in
the whole property, including the advancement, equal. The value of
real or personal estate so advanced shall be estimated according
to the worth thereof when given. Maintenance or education of a child
or descendant, or giving him money or real estate, without a view to a
portion or settlement in life, is not an advancement.
(b) Where an advancement to be adjusted, as provided by subsection
(a) of this section, consisted of real estate, the adjustment shall be
made out of the real estate descendible to the heirs. Where the ad-
vancement was in personal estate, the adjustment shall be made out of
the surplus of the personal estate to be distributed to the distributees.
Where either species of estate is insufficient to enable the adjustment
to be fully made, the deficiency shall be adjusted out of the other.
§19-320. Felonious homicide as barring inheritance; insurance
policies; bona fide purchasers
(a) A person convicted of felonious homicide of another person,
by way of murder or manslaughter, takes no estate or interest in prop-
erty of any kind from that other person by way of:
(1) inheritance, distribution, devise, or bequest; or
(2) remainder, reversion, or executory devise dependent upon
the death of the other person.
The estate, interest, or property to which the person so convicted
would have succeeded or would have taken in any way from or after
the death of the decedent goes, instead, as if the person so convicted
had died before the decedent.
(b) Policies of insurance directly or indirectly procured by a per-
son convicted as specified by subsection (a) of this section, for his own
benefit or payable to him upon the life of the person killed by him,
are void.
(c) This section does not affect the rights of bona fide purchasers
of property specified by subsection (a) of this section, for value and
without notice.
§ 19-321. Descent through alien ancestor no bar
I n making title by descent it is no bar to a party claiming as heir
that an ancestor, whether living or dead, through whom he derives
his descent from the intestate, is or has been an alien.
CHAPTER 5—SIMULTANEOUS DEATHS—UNIFORM LAW

Sec.
19-501. No sufficient evidence of survivorship.
19-502. Survival of beneficiaries.
19-503. Joint tenants or tenants by the entirety.
19-504. Insurance policies.
19-505. Chapter does not apply if decedent provides otherwise.
19-506. Short title; effective date; chapter not retroactive; construction.
§ 19-501. No sufficient evidence of survivorship
Where the title to property or the devolution thereof depends upon
priority of death and there is not sufficient evidence that the persons
have died otherwise than simultaneously, the property of each person
shall be disposed of as if he had survived, except as provided otherwise
by this chapter.
§ 19-502. Survival of beneficiaries
Where property is so disposed of that the right of a beneficiary to
succeed to any interest therein is conditional upon his surviving an-
other person, and both persons die, and there is not sufficient evidence
that the two have died otherwise than simultaneously, the beneficiary
is deemed not to have survived. Where there is not sufficient
evidence that two or more beneficiaries have died otherwise than
simultaneously and property has been disposed of in such a way that at
the time of their death each would have been entitled to the property if
he had survived the others, the property shall be divided into as many
equal portions as there were beneficiaries and these portions shall be
distributed respectively to those who would have taken in the event
that each of the beneficiaries had survived.
§ 19-503. Joint tenants or tenants by the entirety
Where there is not sufficient evidence that two joint tenants or
tenants by the entirety have died otherwise than simultaneously the
property so held shall be distributed, or descend as the case may be,
one-half as if one had survived and one-half as if the other had sur-
vived. Where there are more than two joint tenants and all have
so died the property thus distributed or descended shall be in the
proportion that one bears to the whole number of joint tenants.
The term "joint tenants" includes owners of property held under
circumstances which entitled one or more to the whole of the property
on the death of the others.
§ 19-504. Insurance policies
When the insured and the beneficiary in a policy of life or accident
insurance have died and there is not sufficient evidence that they have
died otherwise than simultaneously, the proceeds of the policy shall
be distributed as if the insured had survived the beneficiary.
§ 19-505. Chapter does not apply if decedent provides otherwise
This chapter does not apply in the case of wills, living trusts, deeds,
or contracts of insurance, or any other situation where provision is
made for distribution of property different from the provisions of
this chapter, or where provision is made for a presumption as to
survivorship which results in a distribution of property different
from that here provided.
§ 19-506. Short title; effective date; chapter not retroactive; con-
struction
(a) This chapter may be cited as the "District of Columbia Uni-
form Simultaneous Death Act". I t is in effect in the District of
Columbia as of March 28,1958, and it does not apply to the distribu-
tion of property of a person who died before that date.
(b) Where there is a conflict or inconsistency between a provision of
this chapter and other provisions of this Part or other law, the
provision of this chapter controls.
CHAPTER 7—ESCHEAT
Sec.
19-701. Escheatment generally.
§ 19-701. Escheatment generally
Where there is no surviving spouse or relations of the intestate
within the fifth degree, reckoned by counting down from the common
ancestor to the more remote, the surplus of real and personal property
escheats to the District of Columbia to be used by the Commissioners
of the District of Columbia for the benefit of the poor.
TITLE 20—ADMINISTRATION OF DECEDENTS'

ESTATES
CHAPTEB Sec.
1. GENERAL PROVISIONS 20-101
3. EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS 20-301
5. COLLECTORS 20-501
7. INVENTORY OF A S S E T S 20-701
9. A S S E T S OF ESTATE 20-901
11. SALE OF A S S E T S 20-1101
13. C L A I M S OF CREDITORS 20-1301
15. S U I T S 20-1501
17. ACCOUNTS 20-1701
19. DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS , 20-1901
21. ADMINISTRATION OF SMALL E S T A T E S 20-2101
23. E S T A T E S OF ABSENTEES AND ABSCONDERS 20-2301
CHAPTER 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec.
§20-101. Definitions
The definitions in section 18-101 apply to this title.
CHAPTER 3—EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS
SUBCHAPTER I—EXECUTORS
Sec.
20-301. Letters t e s t a m e n t a r y ; o a t h ; corporations.
20-302. Bond of executor.
20-303. Bonds for debts only; removal of executor for waste.
20-304. Special bond of executor.
20-305. Joint or separate bonds of co-executors.
20-306. F a i l u r e t o qualify; letters of administration with t h e will annexed.
20-307. Absent executor; s u m m o n s ; notice.
20-308. Summons to each of several executors.
20-309. Renunciation.
20-310. Disqualification of executor.
20-311. No power to a c t without letters.
20-312. Form of letters testamentary.
20-313. Executor of executor.
SUBCHAPTER II—ADMINISTRATORS
20-331. Granting of letters of administration.
20-332. Oath a n d bond of administrator.
20-333. Special bond in intestacy.
20-334. Persons entitled to a d m i n i s t e r ; order of preference.
20-335. Notice of application.
20-336. Declining administration.
20-337. Form of letters of administration.
20-338. Administrator with the will a n n e x e d ; preference.
20-339. Administrator de bonis n o n ; form of letters ; duties.
SUBCHAPTER III—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO

EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS
Sec.
20-351. Competency to serve as executor or administrator; determination.
20-352. Persons between 18 and 21 years of age.
20-353. Application for letters; contents; bond ; sale of real estate.
20-354. Will proved after letters of administration granted; revocation; pend-
ing actions; judgments; accounting; liability.
20-355. Will declared Invalid after distribution; liability.
20-356. Removal of co-executor or co-administrator for negligence or misconduct;
complaint; recovery of loss or damage.
20-357. Additional bond; failure to provide; revocation; delivery of assets.
20-358. Counter security; application of surety; delivery of property; inventory;
duties and liabilities of surety.
20-359. Accounting by representative of deceased executor or administrator; en-
forcement.
20-360. Executor of his own wrong.
20-361. Liability of executor or administrator of deceased executor or adminis-
trator for waste or conversion.
20-362, Investment of funds.
20-363. Continuing decedent's business; petition and affidavits; accounting;
debts as expenses of administration.
20-364. Recordation of executor's and administrator's bond; copies to interested
parties; actions on bonds.
20-365. Service on nonresident executor or administrator; failure to give power
of attorney.
20-366, Resignation; petition; accounting; liability.
Subchapter I—Executors
§20-301. Letters testamentary; oath; corporations
(a) When a will or codicil respecting real or personal property has
been authenticated and admitted to probate, letters testamentary on
the will or codicil shall be issued to the executor named therein, if h e :
(1) is legally competent and will accept the trust;
executes the bond required by section 20-302; and
takes, subscribes, and files an oath that he will administer
the estate of the deceased according to law and and will give a
just account of his administration when lawfully called to
account.
(b) The conditions of this section as to bond and oath do not apply
to corporations authorized under the District of Columbia laws to act
as executors.
§ 20^02. Bond of executor
Before letters testamentary are issued to an executor, other than a
local corporation authorized by the laws of the District of Columbia
to act as an executor, named m a will or codicil, he shall execute a
bond to the United States, with security to be approved by the court,
in such penalty as the court requires, with a condition that he will
administer according to law and to the will of the testator all his
goods, chattels, rights, credits, and the proceeds of all his real estate
that may be sold for the payment of his debts or legacies, which, at
any time, come to his possession or to the possession of another person
for him, and in all other respects faithfully perform the trusts reposed
in him.
§20-303. Bonds for debts only; removal of executor for waste
(a) Where a testator, by last will and testament, requests that his
executor be not required to give bond for the performance of his duty,
the bond required of the executor shall be in such penalty as the court
considers sufficient to secure the payment of the debts due by the
testator, of not more than double the value of the personal estate.
"Wliere the bond is less than this sum the court may increase it to re-
(juire an additional bond if the court deems the bond as given to be
insufficient to secure the payment of the debts of the testator.
(b) If a party interested makes it appear to the court that an

executor who has given a bond only as is provided for by this section
is wasting the assets of the estate, or that the assets are in danger of
being lost, wasted, or misappropriated, the court may remove the
executor or require him to give additional bond with security in a
penalty sufficient to secure the interests of all the creditors, distrib-
utees, and legatees entitled to take the estate. On his failure to give
bond as required, his letters may be revoked and he shall deliver forth-
with to the substituted executor all the assets of his testator in his
possession or under his control.
§ 20-304. Special bond of executor
(a) When the executor is the residuary legatee of the personal estate
of the testator, or if the residuary legatee of full age notifies his con-
sent to the court, he may, instead of the bond prescribed by section
20-302 or 20-303, give bond with security approved by the court, in
a penalty prescribed by the court, conditioned to pay all the debts and
just claims against the testator, all damages which may be recovered
against him as executor, and all legacies bequeathed by the will. I n
this case, he may not be required to file an inventory or render an
account.
(b) If the executor gives a special bond as provided by this section,
he is personally answerable for the full amount of all debts, claims,
and damages that may be recovered against him as executor as if he
were sued in his own right, and a legatee may recover the full amount
of his legacy in a suit on the executor's bond, and the giving of the
bond shall be considered an assent to the legacy. The sureties on the
bond are not liable for a greater amount than the penalty thereof.
§ 20-305. Joint or separate bonds of co-executors
Where two or more persons are appointed executors, the court may
take a separate bond with security from each of them or a joint bond
with security from all of them together.
§20-306. Failure to qualify; letters of administration with the
will annexed
Where the sole executor named in the will was present at the
probate of the will, and does not, within 20 days thereafter, file a
bond as required by this subchapter, and qualify as executor by taking
the oath required by section 20-301, letters of administration with the
will annexed may be granted as if an executor had not been named.
§20-307. Absent executor; summons; notice
Where the sole executor named in the will was not present at the
probate of the will, but is within the District, a summons may be issued
to him, either at the instance of a person interested or ex officio by the
Register of Wills, requiring him to appear and file his bond as
required by law within 5 days after service of the summons. If he
is not found in the District of Columbia, notice shall be given to him
by publication to appear within 10 dajrs after publication of notice,
and on his failure to appear and give liis bond and qualify by taking
the prescribed oath, letters of administration with the will annexed
may be granted as if an executor had not been named.
§20-308. Summons to each of several executors
Where there is more than one executor named in a will, there may be
the same proceeding with respect to each of them as if he were the sole
executor, and any circumstances under which letters of administra-
tion with the will annexed may be granted on failure of a sole-named
executor authorize the granting of letters testamentary to one or
more of the executors on failure of one or more of the others. Any
circumstances under which letters of administration with the will

annexed may be granted on failure of a sole-named executor authorize
the granting of the letters of administration on failure of all the
executors named to appear and qualify as provided by this subchapter.
§20-309. Renunciation
If an executor named in a will files or transmits to the Probate Court
an attested renunciation of his executorship, there shall be the same
proceeding with respect to granting letters testmentary or of admin-
istration with the will annexed as if the party so renouncing had not
been named in the will.
§ 20-310. Disqualification of executor
Where a person named as executor is disqualified from serving,
letters testamentary or of administration with the will annexed may
be granted as if he had not been named as executor.
§ 20-311. No power to act without letters
Where letters testamentary are granted to one or more of the execu-
tors named in a will on failure of the rest, an executor not named in the
letters may not, in any mamier, interfere with the administration.
Where letters of administration wdth the will annexed are granted, an
executor named in the will may not, in any manner, interfere with the
administration. An executor named in a will may not, before letters
testamentary are granted to him, dispose of any part of the estate
of the deceased or interfere therewith, further than is necessary to col-
lect and preserve it.
§ 20-312. Forms of letters of testamentary
The following is the form of letters testamentary to be issued
under the seal of the Probate Court:
District of Columbia:
The United States of America.
To all persons to whom these presents come, greeting:
The last will and testament of , of , deceased,
in due form of law, has been exhibited, proved, and recorded in the
office of the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, a copy of
which is annexed to these presents, and administration of all the
goods, chattels, and credits of the deceased is hereby granted unto
, the executor appointed by the will.
Witness [A B ] , the Chief Judge of the United States District Court
for the District of Columbia, this day of .
Test: [ C D ] , Register of Wills.
§ 20-313. Executor of executor
The executor of an executor, as such, is not entitled to administra-
tion de bonis non on the estate of the first deceased.
Subchapter II—Administrators
§ 20-331. Granting of letters of administration
On the death of a person leaving real or personal estate in the
District of Columbia, the Probate Court may grant letters of admin-
istration on his estate, on the application of a person interested, and
on proof satisfactory to the court that the decedent died intestate.
§ 20-332. Oath and bond of administrator
(a) Before an administrator, other than a local corporation author-
ized by the laws of the District of Columbia to act as administrator,
enters upon his duties, he shall:
(1) take and subscribe an oath similar to that prescribed for
executors; and
(2) file in the Probate Court his bond to the United States,
with security approved by the court, in such penalty as the court
requires, with condition to administer according to law all the
money, goods, chattels, rights, and credits of the deceased, and
in all other respects perform the trust reposed in him.
(b) If the court orders the sale of the decedent's real estate, the
administrator, other than a local corporation authorized by the laws
of the District of Columbia to act as administrator, shall give a like
bond conditioned to administer the proceeds from the real estate that
may be sold for the payment of the decedent's debts which come
into his possession or to the possession of another person for him.
§ 20-333. Special bond in intestacy
(a) Where the person appointed as administrator is entitled to the
residue of the estate after the payment of the debts, he may, instead
of the bond prescribed by section 20-332, execute a bond, with security
approved by the court, in such penalty as the court considers sufficient,
conditioned for the payment of all debts and claims against the
deceased, and all damages which may be recovered against him as
administrator; and if the administrator files the written consent
of those entitled to the residue and they are all of full aê, the court
may direct that only the special bond provided by this section be given.
In this case, the administrator is not required to return inventory or
account.
(b) When the administrator gives a special bond as provided by this
section, he is personally answerable for all debts, claims, and damages
which may be recovered against him, in like manner as the executor
who gives a similar bond as provided by section 20-304. The sureties
on the bond are not liable for a greater amount than the penalty
thereof.
§ 20-334. Persons entitled to administer; order of preference
(a) The Probate Court may grant letters of administration of the
estate of a person dying intestate to one or more of the following
persons, according to the order of preference indicated:
(1) where there is a surviving spouse and a child or children,
to the surviving spouse or to the child, or one or more of the
children qualified to act as administrator;
(2) where there is a surviving spouse and no child, the surviving
spouse shall be preferred, and, next to the surviving spouse, a
grandchild shall be preferred;
(3) where there is no surviving spouse, or child, or grandchild
to act, the father shall be preferred; and, where there is no father,
the mother shall be preferred;
(4) where there is no surviving spouse, or child, or grandchild,
or father, or mother to act, brothers and sisters shall be preferred;
and, where there is no brother or sister, the next of kin shall be
preferred;
(5) males shall be preferred to females in equal degree;
(6) relations of the whole blood shall be preferred to those of
the half-blood in equal degree; and relations of the half-blood
shall be preferred to those of the whole blood in a remoter degree;
(7) relations descending shall be preferred to relations as-
cending, in the collateral line; for example, a nephew shall be pre-
ferred to an uncle;
(8) a person may not be preferred in the ascending line beyond
a father or mother, or in the descending line below a grand-
child ;
(9) a femme sole shall be preferred to a married woman in equal
degree;
(10) relations on the part of the father shall be preferred to

those on the part of the mother, in equal degree.
(b) Where a person described in subsection (a) of this section is in-
competent to serve, administration shall be granted as if he or she
were not living.
(c) Where there are not relations of the intestate, or those entitled
to letters of administration decline to appear and apply for them,
after proper summons or notice, administration may be granted to
the largest creditor applying therefor. When creditors neglect to ap-
ply, the court may exercise its discretion in granting administration.
§ 20-335. Notice of application
Upon an application for letters of administration, such notice
thereof shall be given, by publication or otherwise, as the rules of the
court require.
§ 20-336. Declining administration
If a person entitled to administration declines it in writing, the
court shall proceed as if he or she were not entitled to it.
§ 20-337. Form of letters of administration
The following is the form of letters of administration to be issued
under the seal of the Probate Court:
District of Columbia:
The United States of America.
Administration of the goods, chattels, and credits of , late
of deceased, is hereby granted unto , of .
for the District of Columbia.
Test: [ C D ] , Register of Wills.
§ 20-338. Administrator with the will annexed; preference
Where a will admitted to probate does not appoint an executor, or the
executor therein appointed has died or renounced the executor-
ship, or is incompetent to serve, administration shall be granted with
the will annexed to the person who would have been entitled to admin-
istration in case of the intestacy of the deceased testator. A residuary
legatee named in the will, shall be, in an appointment under this sec-
tion, preferred to all, except a surviving spouse. The condition of
the bond of the administrator so appointed and the oath to be taken
by him and his duties and liabilities are the same as if he had been
appointed executor in the will and had received letters testamentary.
§ 20-339. Administrator de bonis non; form of letters; duties
If an executor or administrator dies before the administration of
an estate is completed, the court ma^ exercise its discretion in grant-
ing letters of administration de bonis non or de bonis non cum testa-
mento annexo, as the case requires, giving preference to the per-
son who would be entitled in the order provided by section 20-334.
if he applies for the letters. The form of the letters is the same
as in the case of an original administration, except that it shall
be confined to the property of the deceased not already administered.
The authority shall be, under the court's direction, to administer all
property herein described as assets and not distributed or delivered or
retained by the executor or former administrators.
Subchapter III—Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Executors
and Administrators
§20-351. Competency to serve as executor or administrator; de-
termination
(a) Letters testamentary or of administration may not be granted
to a person who:
(1) has been convicted of an infamous offense; or
(2) is an insane person, as defined by section 21-501; or
(3) under conservatorship as defined in section 21-1501; or
(4) is under 18 years of age; or
(5) is an alien.
(b) The Probate Court shall determine all questions as to the dis-
qualification, on any of the grounds specified by subsection (a) of
this section, of persons claiming to be entitled to letters testamentary
or of administration, after such notice to them as the court directs.
§ 20-352. Persons between 18 and 21 years of age
When letters testamentary or of administration are granted to a per-
son above 18, but under 21, years of age, the bond executed by him for
the faithful performance of his duties is as binding as if he were of
full age.
§20-353. Application for letters; contents; bond; sale of real
estate
When a person applies to the Probate Court for letters testamentary
or of administration, he shall set forth, under oath, as fully as possible,
all the personal and real estate left by the decedent and the amount
of his debts as far as can be ascertained. The penalty of the bond
required of him, except in the cases provided for by sections 20-303,
20-304, and 20-333, shall be sufficient to secure the proper applica-
tion of all the personal estate of the testator or intestate. If it be-
comes necessary to sell the real estate of the decedent, in part or in
whole, the executor or administrator shall give such additional bond,
with approved security, as the court directs, to secure the proper
application of the proceeds arising from the sale. Where an executor
is empowered by the will to sell the real estate of the testator, for any
purpose, he shall account for the proceeds in the court.
§20-354. Will proved after letters of administration granted;
revocation; pending actions; judgments; accounting;
liability
(a) Where administration is granted, and, afterwards, a will dis-
posing of the estate of the deceased is proved according to law, and
letters testamentary are issued thereon, the letters testamentary con-
stitute a revocation of the letters of administration. The executor
obtaining letters may prosecute civil actions commenced by the ad-
ministrator and obtain judgment in his own name, and may defend
suits commenced against the administrator. The executor shall have
the benefit of all judgments obtained by the administrator, and is
bound by all judgments obtained against the administrator to the
extent of assets received by the executor, unless the judgments were
obtained by fraud.
The administrator, without delay, shall account for and deliver to
the executor all personal estate and proceeds of realty sold in his
possession, belonging to the deceased, in default of which his bond
may be sued upon by the executor or administrator with the will
annexed.
(b) The administrator may not be held to answer for acts lawfully
done by him, in good faith and in ignorance of the will, before
an actual or implied revocation of his letters. When distribution of

the estate, or part of it, has been lawfully made by him, the dis-
tributees, and their personal representatives, and not the adminis-
trator, are answerable for the property "feo distributed, or its value, to
the persons entitled to it.
§ 20-355. Will declared invalid after distribution; liability
When a will is adjudged invalid in an action begun after lawful dis-
tribution of the estate, or a part of it, by the executor, in good faith
and without his knowledge of the invalidity of the will, and without
notice to him that the action was intended, the distributees of the
property, and their personal representatives, and not the executor,
are answerable for the property so distributed, or its value, to the
persons entitled to it.
§20-356. Removal of co-executor or co-administrator for negli-
gence or misconduct; complaint; recovery of loss or
damage
If a joint executor or administrator apprehends that he is in danger
of suffering by the negligence or misconduct in the administration or
the improper use or misapplication of the assets of the estate by a
co-executor or co-administrator, he may make complaint to the court.
Upon adjudging the complaint to be well founded, the court may
revoke the letters of the executor or administrator so complained of
and compel the delivery and surrender to the remaining executor or
administrator of the assets, books, papers, and evidences of debt, of
the estate in the possession or control of the person whose letters have
been revoked. The remaining executors or administrators may re-
cover, in a civil action, for loss or damage they may suffer through
the executor or administrator whose letters have been revoked.
§20-357. Additional bond; failure to provide; revocation; deliv-
ery of assets
Where the Probate Court is satisfied that the bond already given by
an executor or administrator is insufficient, it may require the execu-
tor or administrator to file an additional bond, and on his failure
to do so may revoke his letters. Upon the revocation of letters under
this section, the executor or administrator whose letters are so revoked
shall forthwith deliver to any substituted executor or administrator
all the assets of his testator or mtestate in his possession or control.
§20-358. Counter security; application of surety; delivery of
property; inventory; duties and liabilities of surety
(a) If a surety of an executor or administrator apprehends that
he is in danger of suffering from the suretyship, he may apply for
relief to the Probate Court. The court may call upon the party to give
counter security, to be approved by the court. If the party so called
on does not, within a fixed reasonable time, give counter security, the
court may order the property remaining in his hands as executor or
administrator to be delivered up to the surety, and the court may
enforce the delivery by process. Wîthout delay, the executor or
administrator shall return an inventory of the property delivered
to the surety. Under the immediate order of the court, the surety
shall sell, distribute, and deliver up the property contained in the
inventory, as the case requires, as if the surety were the executor or
administrator,
(b) To prevent a double administration and consequent inconven-
ience to creditors and other persons interested in the estate, the execu-
tor or administrator specified by subsection (a) of this section shall
continue to discharge his trust, unless the court revokes his letters for
a just cause, and he shall be answerable for the property in the same
manner as if it were not, on his default, delivered to the surety. The

executor or administrator may sue the surety and recover damages if
he suffers from the misconduct of the surety, in diminishing any part
of the property, without obtaining an allowance therefor from the
court. The surety shall bring into court, to be deposited with the
Eegister of Wills, the money arising from the sale of any property
as provided by this section, to be applied according to this Part.
§20-359. Accounting by representative of deceased executor or
administrator; enforcement
(a) On the application of an administrator de bonis non the court
may order the executor or the administrator of a deceased executor or
administrator to deliver over to him all the personal property that
was in the hands of the deceased executor or administrator, as such,
and also all the money, bonds, notes, accounts, and evidences of debt
that the deceased executor or axiministrator may have taken, received,
and held at the time of his death, including the proceeds of sale of
either personal or real estate made by the deceased executor or admin-
istrator, which shall be deemed unadministered assets.
(b) If an executor or administrator of a deceased executor or
administrator fails to comply, hj a day named, with an order issued
under subsection (a) of this section, the court may enforce its order
by attachment against him, and may direct that his bond, or the bond
of the deceased executor or administrator, or both, be sued upon for
the use of the administrator de bonis non.
§ 20-^60. Executor of his own wrong
Whoever, without authority of law, takes, receives, or injuriously
interferes with personal property of a deceased person who died intes-
tate, is liable, as an executor of his own wrong:
(1) to the persons aggrieved; and
(2) to the rightful administrator for the full value of the
personal property taken or received by him and for all damages
caused to the estate by his acts.
He may not retain or deduct any part of the estate, except for
funeral expenses or debts of the deceased or other charges which right-
ful executors or administrators might have been compelled to pay.
§ 20-361. Liability of executor or administrator of deceased execu-
tor or administrator for waste or conversion
The executor or administrator of a person who, as executor, either
of right or of his own wrong, or as administrator, wasted or con-
verted to his own use any part of the estate of a deceased person, is
liable and chargeable in the same manner as his testator or intestate
would have been, if living.
§ 20-362. Investment of funds
Where, under the provisions of a will, it is necessary for an executor
or an administrator with the will annexed to retain in his hands the
personal estate, or a part thereof, after all just claims are discharged,
as in a case where money or another thing is directed to be paid at a
distant period or upon a contingency, he shall apply to the Probate
Court for a decree or directions relating thereto. The court may
decree or direct:
(1) what part of the personal estate shall be retained or appro-
priated for the purpose and in what manner it shall be disposed
of;
(2) in what manner the legacy or benefit shall be secured to the
person entitled thereto at a future period or upon the hap-
pening of a contingency;
(3) how the necessary part of the personal estate to be appro-
priated for the purpose shall be prevented from being unproduc-
tive; and
(4) how the necessary part of the personal estate to be appro-
priated for the purpose shall be appned, agreeably to the intent
of the will or the construction of law, should the contingency not
take place.
§20-363. Continuing decedent's business; petition and affidavits;
accounting; debts as expenses of administration
(a) The Probate Court may authorize a fiduciary accountable to it
to continue a business of the decedent until further order of the court
and may order the discontinuance of the business at any time.
(b) An order under subsection (a) of this section authorizing the
continuance of a business may not be entered until after the fiduciary
has filed a petition under oath, supported by the affidavits of two
reputable persons familiar with the decedent's business, setting forth:
(1) the appraised value of the business;
(2) whether the decedent conducted the business at a profit or
loss; and
(3) the estimated amount of the monthly expenses necessary
to be incurred in order to continue the business.
(c) A fiduciary who is given an authorization to conduct the de-
cedent's business shall file with the Register of Wills monthly state-
ments showing:
(1) receipts and disbursements;
(2) debts contracted, and obligations incurred; and
(3) the profit or loss.
(d) Debts contracted and obligations incurred in continuing a
business of the decedent constitute an expense of administration of
the estate.
§20-364. Recordation of executor's and administrator's bond;
copies to interested parties; actions on bonds
(a) The Register of Wills shall record in his office every bond
executed by an executor or administrator. The Register of Wills
shall deliver, on demand, to a person conceiving himself to be in-
terested in the administration of the estate, a copy of the bond, under
his hand and seal. Upon this copy, an action may be maintained, in
the name of the United States, for the use of the party interested. In
the action, judgment may be recovered for tne damage actually
sustained.
(b) In the manner provided by subsection (a) of this section, an
administrator appointed in the place of an executor or administrator
who has resigned, or has been removed, or whose letters have been
revoked, may maintain an action against the former executor or ad-
ministrator, and his sureties, on his administration bond, for loss
and damage to the estate resulting from this breach of duty.
(c) A creditor may not maintain an action on a testamentary or
administration bond tor a claim against the testator or intestate:
(1) until, when practicable, an action has been commenced
against the executor or administrator of the deceased and:
(A) a summons issued in the action has been returned
"Not to be found"; or
(B) a writ of fieri facias or of attachment, issued on a
judgment against the executor or administrator, has been
returned "nulla bona";
or
(2) until, in the judgment of the court before whom the
action may be tried, there is such apparent insolvency of the
executor or administrator or insufficiency of his effects as to leave
the creditor without remedy except by action on the bond.
§20-365. Service on nonresident executor or administrator; fail-
ure to give power of attorney
Before original or ancillary letters testamentary or of administra-
tion are issued, the person designated, if a nonresident of the District
of Columbia, shall file in the office of the Kegister of Wills an ir-
revocable power of attorney designating the Register of Wills and
his successors in office as the person upon whom all notices and process
issued by a competent court in the District may be served, with like
effect as personal service, in relation to all suits, matters, causes, or
things affecting or pertaining to the estate in which the letters are to
be issued. The Register of Wills shall forthwith forward by regis-
tered or certified mail to the address of the executor or administrator,
which shall be stated in the power of attorney, all notices and process
served upon the Register under this section.
If the person fails to file the power of attorney within 10 days after
the entry of the order of appointment, the order shall stand revoked,
and he shall forfeit all rights to the office.
§ 20-^66. Resignation; petition; accounting; liability
Where a person, after having accepted the office of executor or ad-
ministrator, desires to resign the office, he may file his petition to that
effect, accompanied by a full and particular account, under oath,
of his receipts and disbursements, if any. The court shall thereupon
direct such notice as it deems proper to be given of the application,
and, if cause is not shown to the contrary, may release and discharge
him from his office and enter such order as to costs and commissions
and impose such terms in other respects as the nature of the case
requires. The executor or administrator is not, by the discharge,
released from liability for past acts, defaults, or omissions of duty.
CHAPTER 5—COLLECTORS
Sec.
20-501. Letters of collection, or ad colligendum.
20-502. Oath and bond of collector; form.
20-503. Service on nonresident collector; failure to give poviêr of attorney.
20-504. Duties of collector; liability; commission; additional bond requirements
if real estate to be possessed.
20-505. Removal of co-collector for negligence or misconduct; complaint; re-
covery of loss or damage.
20-506. Cessation of powers.
20-507. Liability of collector for refusing to deliver estate.
§ 20-501. Letters of collection, or ad colligendum
(a) Letters of collection, or ad colligendum, may be granted to one
or more persons, when:
(1) there is a contest in relation to a will; or
(2) the executor is absent from the District of Columbia; or
(3) there is a delay in the executor's qualifying; or
(4) there is other sufficient cause.
(b) The form of letters of collection is as follows:
Whereas , of , deceased, had, as is said, at his
decease, personal property within the District of Columbia, adminis-
tration whereof can not immediately be granted, but which, if speedy
care be not taken, may be lost, destroyed, or diminished, to the end
that the same may be preserved for those who may appear to have a
legal right or interest therein, we do hereby request and authorize
, of , to secure and collect the property, wheresoever
the same may be, in the District, whether goods, chattels, debts, or
credits, and to make a true inventory thereof and exhibit it with all
convenient speed, with an account of his collections, into the office of

the Register of Wills.
for the District of Columbia.
Test: [C D ] , Register of Wills.
§ 20-502. Oath and bond of collector; form
(a) Before letters are issued to a collector other than a local corpo-
ration authorized under the laws of the District of Columbia to act as
collector, he shall take and subscribe the following oath:
"I, , do swear that I will well and truly discharge the
office of collector of the personal estate of , deceased, accord-
ing to the tenor of the letters granted me by the Probate Court of the
District of Columbia and the directions of law, to the best of my
knowledge, so help me God.".
(b) The collector shall also, before letters are issued to him, execute
a bond to the United States, in a penalty and with security to be
approved by the court, with the following condition: "The condi-
tion of the above obligation is such that if the above bounden
shall well and honestly discharge the office of collector of the personal
estate of , deceased, in the District of Columbia, and shall
make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory or inventories
of such of the personal estate, and debts as come to his possession or
knowledge and make return of them to the Probate Court of the Dis-
trict, and shall also deliver to the person or persons who shall be
authorized by the court to receive them such of the goods, chattels,
personal estate, and debts as shall come to his possession, except such
as shall be allowed for by the court, then the obligation shall be void;
it shall otherwise be in full force at law.".
§ 20-503. Service on nonresident collector; failure to give power
of attorney
Before original or ancillary letters of collection are issued, the per-
son designated, if a nonresident of the District of Columbia, shall
file in the office of the Register of Wills an irrevocable power of at-
torney designating the Register of Wills and his successors in office
as the person upon whom all notices and process issued by a competent
court in the District may be served, with like effect as personal serv-
ice, in relation to suits, matters, causes, or things affecting or per-
taining to the estate in which the letters are to be issued. The Register
of WiUs shall forthwith forward by registered or certified mail to the
address of the collector, which shall be stated in the power of attorney,
all notices or process served upon the Register under this section.
§20-504. Duties of collector; liability; commission; additional
bond requirements if real estate to be possessed
(a) The collector shall collect the personal estate of the deceased,
including the debts due him, and cause them to be appraised, and
return an inventory thereof, as an administrator is required to do,
and may, under the authority of the court, sell perishable articles
and bring suits for debts or other property, as an administrator may
do, and shall account for the money recovered. The collector may, if
authorized by the court, take possession of, hold, manage, conserve,
and control all real estate affected by the will in dispute, and shall
discharge, pendente lite, all the duties of an administrator, including
the payment of debts. He is liable to an action by a creditor of the
deceased and is entitled to the protection of all provisions of law
expressly relating to executors and administrators.
49-850 0-66—48
(b) The collector may be allowed a commission not exceeding 10

per centum on the personal property, debts due the estate, and rentals
from real estate actually collected by him.
(c) Where the collector is authorized by the court to take possession
of the real estate affected by the will or wills in dispute, the letters of
collection shall so expressly specify, and his bond as collector, in
addition to the several matters set forth in section 20-502, shall
specifically include the faithful performance of his duties with respect
to the real estate.
§20-505. Removal of co-collector for negligence or misconduct;
complaint; recovery of loss or damage
If a joint collector apprehends that he is in danger of suffering
by the negligence or misconduct by a co-collector in the administra-
tion or the improper use or misapplication of the assets of the estate,
he may apply to the court for relief. Upon adjudging the complaint
to be well founded, the court may revoke the powers and authority
of the collector so complained of and compel the delivery and sur-
render to the remaining collector of the assets, books, papers, and
evidences of debt, of the estate that may be in the possession or control
of the person so dismissed from the administration. The remaining
collectors may recover, in a civil action, for any loss or damage they
may suffer through the collector whose powers have been revoked.
§ 20-506. Cessation of powers
On the granting of letters testamentary or of administration the
power of a collector cease. He shall deliver, on demand, all the
property and money of the decedent in his hands and excepted by
section 20-504, to the person obtaining the letters, and the latter may
be permitted to prosecute suits commenced by the collector as if they
had been begun by him, and may also defend suits brought against
the collector by a creditor of the deceased.
§ 20-507. Liability of collector for refusing to deliver estate
If a collector neglects or refuses to deliver over the property and
estate to the executor or administrator, the court may, by citation
and attachment, compel him to do so, and the executor or administra-
tor may also proceed, by civil action, to recover the value of the assets
from him and his sureties by action on his bond.
CHAPTER 7—INVENTORY OF A S S E T S
Sec.
20-701. Inventory; when made; contents; exceptions.
20-702, Appraisers.
20-703. Death of appraisers; failure to act.
20-704. Appraisement; notice; return.
20-705. Contents of inventory.
20-706. Exceptions to inventory.
20-707. Collector's inventory.
20-708. Co-executor or co-administrator may file inventory if others neglect to
do so.
§20-701. Inventory; when made; contents; exceptions
An executor or administrator who has not filed a special bond pro-
vided for by sections 20-304 and 20-333, or a collector shall, within two
months after his appointment, or such longer time as the court allows,
make and return, upon oath, into court a true inventory of all the
personal estate of the deceased which are by law to be administered
and which have come to his possession or knowledge. Where the court
deems it proper, it may also order him to include in the inventory all
the real estate of the deceased.
§20-702. Appraisers
On the granting of letters testamentary or of administration or let-
ters of collection, a warrant, except in the cases provided by sec-
tions 20-304 and 20-333, shall issue to two suitable persons not inter-
ested in the estate, to appraise the estate of the deceased, known to
them or shown to them by the executor, administrator, or collector.
They shall severally take and subscribe an oath well and truly, with-
out partiality or prejudice, to value the personal estate and, if so
directed, the real estate, of the deceased, as far as these items and
properties come to their knowledge, to the best of their skill and
judgment.
§ 20-703. Death of appraisers; failure to act
If an appraiser dies, or refuses or neglects to act, another person
may be appointed in his stead.
§ 20-704. Appraisement; notice; return
The executor, administrator, collector or appraisers shall give notice
to the persons immediately interested in the administration, or at least
two of them, if they are numerous, of the time and place of making the
appraisement. Thereupon, they shall proceed at that time and place
to value the property and estate, settmg down each article or item
separately, with the value thereof, in dollars and cents. When the
appraisement is completed, they shall certify it under their hands and
seals, and return it with the inventory.
§ 20-705. Contents of inventory
The inventory shall contain a particular statement of all other
securities for the payment of moneys belonging to the deceased, and
of all other debts and accounts due him, which are known to the
executor, administrator, or collector, who shall designate those debts
which he considers good, as distinguished from those which he con-
siders desperate or doubtful, and also an account of all moneys be-
longing to the deceased which come to his hands. When, after an
inventory is returned, assets not therein included come to the knowl-
edge of the executor, administrator, or collector, an additional in-
ventory and appraisement shall be promptly prepared and filed in
the same manner.
§ 20-706. Exceptions to inventory
There shall be excepted from the inventory the wearing apparel
of the deceased, family pictures, the family Bible, and schoolbooks
used in the family, and provisions for the support of the family, on
hand at the time of the decedent's death. Where the decedent was the
head of a family, or a householder, the property exempt under
sections 15-501 to 15-503 shall so continue exempt from all 77 Stat. 529.
claims against the decedent, and shall be distributed by the court to
such members of the family or household as in the judgment of the
court the exigencies of the particular case require.
§ 20-707. Collector's inventory
If an inventory is returned by a collector the executor or adminis-
trator thereafter administering shall, within two months after his
appointment, return either a new inventory in place of the collector's
inventory or an acknowledginent in writing that he has received from
the collector the articles contained in the first inventory, and consents
to be answerable for it, as if the inventory had been made out by him
as executor or administrator, unless it appears that he has been pre-
vented from making the return bv the improper detention of the
personal estate of the deceased by the collector.
§20-708. Co-executor or co-administrator may file inventory if

others neglect to do so
Where there is more than one executor or administrator, any one or
more of them, on the neglect of the others, may, if authorized by the
court, return an inventory.
CHAPTER 9—ASSETS OF ESTATE

Sec.
20-901. Assets to be included in inventory and administered.
20-902. Discharge or bequest of debt or demand not valid against creditors;
disposition.
20-903. Claims of testator against executor not discharged; disposition; liability
of surety.
20-904. Failure of executor to include claims of testator against executor in
inventory; remedy.
20-905. Debt due by administrator or collector.
§ 20-901. Assets to be included in inventory and administered
(a) The inventory required by chapter 7 of this title shall include:
(1) leases for years;
(2) estates for the life of other persons;
(3) all goods, wares, merchandise, utensils, and furniture, and
things annexed to the freehold which may be removed without
prejudice thereto;
(4) the growing crop on the land of the deceased; and
(5) every other species of personal property, except the cloth-
ing of the widow and minor children of the deceased and personal
ornaments suitable to their station, and except the property
exempted by section 20-706.
(b) The items specified by subsection (a) of this section, except
those excluded from the inventory by clause (5) thereof, together with
the proceeds of real estate sold for the payment of debts, constitute
assets to be administered by an executor or administrator.
§ 20-902. Discharge or bequest of debt or demand not valid against
creditors; disposition
A discharge or bequest in a will, of a debt or demand of a testator
is not valid as against the creditors of the deceased, but constitutes
only as a specific bequest of the debt or demand, and the amount
thereof shall be included in the inventory of the effects of the deceased
and included as an asset for the payment of his debts, if necessary for
that purpose, and, if not so necessary, shall be paid in the same man-
ner and proportion as other specific legacies.
§ 20-903. Claims of testator against executor not discharged; dis-
position; liability of surety
The naming of a person as executor in a will is not a discharge or
bequest of a just claim which the testator had against him. The
claim shall be included among the credits and effects of the deceased
in the inventory, and the executor is liable for it, as for so much money
in his hands, at the time the debt or demand becomes due. He shall
apply and distribute it, in the payment of debts and legacies and
among the next of kin, as part of the personal estate of the deceased.
However, the sureties of the executor are not liable where the claim
against the executor would have been uncollectible if another person
had been executor.
§ 20-904. Failure of executor to include claims of testator against

executor in inventory; remedy
If an executor fails to include a claim which the testator had against
him in the list of debts due the deceased, a person interested in the
administration may allege the failure b^ petition to the Probate Court.
The court, with the consent of the parties, may decide the matter, or it
may be referred by the parties, with the court's approval; or at the
instance of either party the court may direct an issue to be tried hj a
jury. If the claim in any such proceedings is decided to be a just claim
of the decedent against the executor, the executor shall be charged with
the amount thereof as provided by section 20-903.
§ 20-905. Debt due by administrator or collector
In like manner as provided by section 20-903, an administrator or
collector shall include a claim against himself, and on his including it,
or failure to do so, there shall be the same proceeding as described in
section 20-903 or 20-904 with regard to an executor. The rule pro-
vided by section 20-903 applies to his sureties.
CHAPTER 11—SALE OF ASSETS
Sec.
20-1101. Sale of personal estate.
20-1102. Order for sale.
20-1103. Sale of real estate directed in will; procedure; failure to act.
20-1104. Power of co-executors to sell real estate under will.
20-1105. Survivor of several trustees.
20-1106. Authority of court regarding sales of realty; responsibility for pro-
ceeds ; restrictions on sales; auditor's report.
20-1107. Bond to prevent sale of real estate.
20-1108. Sale of real estate to satisfy debts and legacies.
20-1109. Sale of property subject to dower.
20-1110. Appointment of trustee to sell real estate; bond.
20-1111. Proceeding by creditors to have real estate sold.
§ 20-1101. Sale of personal estate
Where an executor or administrator does not have money sufficient to
discharge the just debts of and claims against the decedent, the Pro-
bate Court shall, on his application, made after the return of an in-
ventory, direct a sale of the personal property contained therein, or
of such part as the court considers proper, and in such manner and
on such terms as the court directs. The court may direct a sale
if it deems it advantageous to the persons interested in the administra-
tion, on the application of any of them.
§ 20-1102. Order for sale
An executor not so authorized by the will, or an administrator, may
not sell property of his decedent without an order of the Probate
Court. A sale made without a previous order authorizing it is void
and does not pass title to the purchaser. If an executor or administra-
tor sells, pledges, or disposes of property without a previous order,
his letters may be revoked and an administrator appointed, who shall
immediately recover possession of the property; and the removed
executor or administrator may be proceeded against by attachment.
Where there are two or more executors or administrators, and a sale,
pledge, or disposition of property has been made without the consent
of all, the revocation extends oiilj to the persons so offending, and
the remaining executors or administrators may discharge the duties

of their office and institute proceedings for the recovery of the prop-
erty and attachment as provided by this section.
§ 20-1103. Sale of real estate directed in will; procedure; failure
to act
Where a testator has directed his real estate to be sold for the pay-
ment of his debts or legacies, the executor may sell and convey it, and
shall account for the proceeds of the sale to the Probate Court in the
same manner as for the proceeds of personal estate. Such a sale is not
valid unless it is ratified by the court after notice given by publication
according to the practice in equity. If the executor refuses or declines
to act, or dies without executing the power vested in him, the court, on
the application of a person interested, may appoint an administrator
de bonis non with the will annexed to execute the power in the same
manner in which the executor appointed by the will might have done.
§20-1104. Power of co-executors to sell real estate under will
Where a power to sell lands, tenements, or other hereditaments is
given by a will to executors as such, and a person named as executor
refuses, after the death of the testator, to act or accept the trust,
sales under the power made by tlie executors who qualify and accept
the trust are as effectual in law as if the other executors had joined
in the sale.
§ 20-1105. Survivor of several trustees
Where two or more trustees are appointed by the will to execute
a trust, or are empowered to sell, dispose of, or convey lands or other
property devised to them jointly, upon the death of any one or more
of them the survivors may execute the trust or power. If one of the
trustees, in writing, signed by him and attested by a witness, re-
linquishes or disclaims the trust or refuses to act under the will, and
delivers the writing to the Probate Court for record, his right to act
ceases, and the remaining trustees appointed by the will may execute
the trusts of the will and make sales and execute conveyances and
other acts necessary for that purpose.
§ 20-1106. Authority of court regarding sales of realty; responsi-
bility for proceeds; restrictions on sales; auditor's
report
The Probate Court has plenary authority to administer the real
estate situated in the District of Columbia of decedents as far as may
be necessary for the payment of funeral expenses, debts, costs of
administration, and estate, inheritance and succession taxes, and lega-
cies, and to distribute among those entitled thereto the surplus proceeds
of sales of real estate made in the course of the administration. The
bonds of executors and administrators are responsible for the pro-
ceeds of sale of real estate sold by them under the order of the court
for purposes of administration. A sale of real estate may not be
made unless it is required for the purposes of paying the above-men-
tioned charges and such legacies as are chargeable upon the real estate,
or until the auditor of the court has ascertained and reported those
debts and legacies, the deficiency of personal assets, and the real estate
necessary to be sold for the payment of the charges and legacies.
Objections to the report may be filed, heard and determined as pro-
vided by rules of court.
§ 20-1107. Bond to prevent sale of real estate
An order for the sale of real estate may not be granted if a person
interested in the estate gives bond to the United States, with security
to be approved by the Probate Court, conditioned to pay all the debts,
or legacies, or both, as the case may be, that shall eventually be found
due, and the costs of administration.
§ 20-1108. Sale of real estate to satisfy debts and legacies
Where the Probate Court is satisfied, upon a report of the auditor,
that it is necessary to sell the real estate, or a part thereof, it shall
authorize the executor or administrator to sell the property, or so much
thereof as may be necessary for the payment of the debts or legacies,
or both, on such terms as the court directs. Any surplus of the pro-
ceeds of the sale, after payment of debts and legacies and costs of
administration, is deemed real estate, and shall be distributed among
the heirs or devisees as their interests may appear.
§ 20-1109. Sale of property subject to dower
Where there is a surviving spouse entitled to dower in the real estate
of the decedent, the Probate Court, before authorizing a sale of the
real estate, shall issue a commission to one or more suitable persons
to set off and assign the dower out of the estate, and the dower shall
be so assigned. If the court finds that the surviving spouse's dower
cannot be set off without injury to the property, if he consents thereto
by answer to the petition, the real estate may be sold free of the dower,
and the surviving spouse shall receive out of the proceeds a commuta-
tion of dower according to the practice in equity.
§ 20-1110. Appointment of trustee to sell real estate; bond
When a person dies having devised real estate to be sold, without
having appointed a trustee to sell the property, or if the person so
appointed neglects or refuses to execute the trust, or dies before the
execution of the trust, the United States District Court for the Dis-
trict of Columbia may, on the application of a person interested,
appoint a trustee to sell and convey the property and apply the pro-
ceeds of sale to the purposes intended. Where a trustee is appointed
by last will to execute a trust, and a person interested in the execution
of the trust makes it appear that it is necessary for the safety of those
interested therein that the trustee should give bond and security for the
due execution of the trust, the Court may order and direct that a
bond be given by the trustee by a day named, and on failure of the
trustee to give the bond, with security to be approved by the court as
directed, the court may displace the trustee and appoint another in
his stead, who shall give the bond. The bond shall be given to the
United States and may be sued on for the use of a person interested.
§ 20-1111. Proceeding by creditors to have real estate sold
When a person dies leaving real estate in possession, remainder, or
reversion, and not leaving personal estate sufficient to pay his debts,
the Court, on a suit instituted by any of his creditors, may decree that
all the real estate left by the person, or so much thereof as may be
necessary, be sold to pay the charges mentioned in section 20-1106.
This section applies whether the heirs or devisees are residents or
nonresidents, are of full age or infants, and are of sound mind or
are insane, and also where the deceased left no heirs or it is not known
whether he left heirs or devisees or the heirs or devisees are uknown.
WTiere there are no known heirs the United States attorney for the
District of Columbia shall be notified of the suit and appear therein.
CHAPTER 13—CLAIMS OF CREDITORS

Sec.
20-1301. Debts to be proved.
20-1302. Judgment or decree; voucher or proof.
20-1303. Bond, note, check, protested bill of exchange; original or copy of
instrument to constitute voucher.
20-1304. Proof by assignee.
20-1305. Proof of commercial papers,
20-1306. Claims for rent.
20-1307. Open account.
20-1308. Claims outside of District.
2(V-1309. Executor's or administrator's claim to be under oath.
20-1310. Plea of limitations within discretion of executor or administrator.
20-1311. Claims may be rejected and disputed.
20-1312. Passing of claims not conclusive.
20-1313. Payment of claims.
20-1314. Notice of distribution.
20-1315. Retaining for claims.
20-1316. Executor or administrator to withhold amount claimed pending
litigation.
20-1317. Claims of executors and administrators to be passed by Court.
20-1318. Period during which creditors may file suit after claim is contested.
20-1319. Executor or administrator not responsible for claims made after dis-
tribution.
20-1320. Notice to creditors to file claims.
20-1321. Report and proof of notice.
20-1322. Report of notice as prima facie evidence; copy as legal evidence.
20-1323. Docket of claims.
20-1324. Filed claim no evidence of correctness if disputed; filing as tolling
limitations.
20-1325. Priorities.
20-1326. No claim to be noticed unless legally authenticated.
20-1327. Meeting of creditors.
20-1328. Distribution of residue.
20-1329. Creditors' rights against property of nonresident decedent; limitation.
§ 20-1301. Debts to be proved
An executor or administrator may not discharge a claim against his
decedent, otherwise than at his own risk, unless it is first passed by the
Probate Court or is proved according to the rules prescribed by this
chapter.
§ 20-1302. Judgment or decree; voucher or proof
The voucher or proof of a judgment or decree shall be a short copy
thereof under seal, attested by the clerk of the court where it was
obtained, who shall certify that the judgment or decree has not been
satisfied. There shall likewise be a certificate of a person authorized
to administer oaths, indorsed on or annexed to a statement of the debt
due on the judgment or decree, that the creditor or his agent since
the death of the deceased has taken before him the following oath:
''That the creditor has not received any part of the sum for which the
judgment or decree was passed except such part (if any) as is cred-
ited". Where the creditor on the judgment or decree is an assignee of
the person who obtained it, the oath shall continue, as follows: "and
that to the best of his knowledge or belief no other person has received
any part of the sum except such part (if any) as is credited". An as-
signee shall also produce the assignment under the hand of the assignor.
Where there is more than one assignment, each assignment shall be
produced under the hand of the party assigning.
§20-1303. Bond, note, check, protested bill of exchange; original
or copy of instrument to constitute voucher
I n case of a specialty, bond, note, check, or protested bill of exchange,
the vouchers shall be the instrument of writing itself, or a proved copy
in case it is lost, with a certificate of the oath taken as prescribed by
section 20-1302 since the death of the decedent and indorsed on or
annexed to the instrument, or a statement of the claim "that no part
of the money intended to be secured by the instrument has been re-

ceived or any security or satisfaction given for it except what (if any)
is credited.".
§ 20-1304. Proof by assignee
Where the creditor in an instrument specified by section 20-1303 is
an assignee, the creditor or agent shall take and subscribe the same
oath, according to the best of his knowledge and belief, with respect
to any payments prior to the time of the assignment.
§ 20-1305. Proof of commercial papers
Where the claim consists of a bill of exchange or other commercial
paper, the protest or whatever would be required, if the deceased
were alive, is necessary to justify an executor or administrator in mak-
ing payment or distribution.
§ 20-1306. Claims for rent
Where the claim is for rent, there shall be produced the lease itself,
or the deposition of a credible witness, or an acknowledgment in writ-
ing of the deceased, establishing the contract and the time which has
elapsed during which rent was chargeable, and a statement of the sum
due for the rent, with an oath of the creditor or agent indorsed there-
on "that no part of the sum due for the rent or any security or satis-
faction for the same has been received except what (if any) is
credited.".
The proof of a claim for rent in arrears, in order to render the claim
a preferred claim, shall be the proofs and vouchers for rent specified
by this section, and proof that the claim is such that an attachment
therefor might be levied on the deceased's goods and chattels in the
hands of the administrator. The preference given for rent does not
impair the landlord's right of attachment where he believes it proper
to exercise the right.
§ 20-1307. Open account
The vouchers or proofs of a claim on open account shall be a
certificate of an oath taken by the creditor or agent since the death
of the decedent, indorsed on or annexed to the account, that the ac-
count as stated is just and true, and that he, the creditor, or any one
for him, has not received any part of the money stated to be due or
any security or satisfaction for it except what (if any) is credited.
§ 20-1308. Claims outside of District
When an affidavit or deposition to prove claims has been taken out
of the District of Columbia, it is valid if taken and certified by a
notary public as provided by this chapter, or by a person there author-
ized to administer oaths, and certified to be such under the seal of the
clerk of a court of record, or by an officer having official cognizance of
the fact, and the oath shall be as available as if taken before an officer
authorized to administer oaths within the District of Columbia. The
additional certificate specified by this section is not required as to
notaries public within the United States or a place under the juris-
diction thereof when the seal of the notary is attached.
§ 20-1309. Executor's or administrator's claim to be under oath
Where a creditor is an executor or an administrator his claim may
not be received, although vouched and approved as provided by this
chapter, unless he makes oath, to be certified as provided by this
chapter, "that it does not appear from any book or writing of his
decedent that any part of the claim has been discharged except what
(if any) is credited, and that to the best of the deponent's knowledge
and belief no part of the claim has been discharged and jio security or
satisfaction given for it except what (if any) is credited.".
§20-1310. Plea of limitations within discretion of executor or

administrator
An executor or administrator is not required to avail himself of the
statute of limitations to bar what he supposes to be a just claim,
§ 20-1311. Claims may be rejected and disputed
An executor or administrator is not required to discharge a claim
of which vouchers and proofs have been exhibited as provided by this
chapter, but may reject and at law dispute the claim where he has
reason to believe that the deceased never owed the debt, or had dis-
charged it, or a part thereof, or had a claim in bar.
§ 20-1312. Passing of claims not conclusive
An order made by the Probate Court that an account or claim will
pass when paid is not valid to establish the claim or account. Where
the executor or administrator thinks fit to contest it, the account or
claim does not derive validity from the order, but shall be proved in
the same manner as if the order had not been made.
§ 20-1313. Payment of claims
An executor or administrator shall, within thirteen months from the
date of his letters, or within such further time, not exceeding four
months, as the Probate Court allows on his making oath that he
has reason to apprehend that the personal estate and assets which
are or shall be in his hands will be insufficient to discharge the just
debts of and claims against the deceased, discharge all the claims
known to him or pay each claimant his just proportion of the money
then in his hands, retaining as directed by this chapter. Also, he
shall, once in every six months after the first distribution, make a
distribution of the money which has since come to his hands until he
has fully administered, and on failure his administration bond may
he sued upon.
§ 20-1314. Notice of distribution
Wlien an executor or administrator is to make payment or distribu-
tion among the creditors of his decedent, he may give notice three suc-
cessive weeks previously in a convenient newspaper of the time and
place for making it. If a creditor does not attend in person or by
agent or attorney to receive the amount or proportionable part of liis
claim, all interest on the claim or proportionable part ceases from
that time. The executor or administrator shall at any time thereafter,
on demand, pay the claims, or a proportionable part, to the party, his
agent, or duly authorized attorney. When the executor or admin-
istrator proceeds to make an additional payment or dividend he may
advertise as provided by this section, and interest ceases as also pro-
vided by this section. If, at the time for the making of an additional
dividend, a just claim, established as directed by this chapter, is ex-
hibited, the creditor is entitled to such sum as will place nim on an
equal footing with those who have already received a dividend.
§ 20-1315. Retaining for claims
An executor or administrator shall pay all just claims against his
decedent exhibited to him, or a just proportionable part thereof, ac-
cording to the assets. Where a claim is known to him, although it is
not exhibited, he shall retain the assets, or a just proportionable part,
for the benefit of the creditor. Where an executor or administrator
has actual knowledge of a claim which has not been exhibited or passed
he shall give notice in writing to the creditor, requiring the claim to be
either exnibited or passed, as provided by this chapter, within 30 days
if the creditor is a resident of the District of Columbia, and within
90 days if he is a nonresident. After the expiration of that period, and
after the expiration of the period for distribution provided by section

20-1313, the executor or administrator may not be required to retain
any part of the estate for the benefit of the creditor, unless in the mean-
time the claim has been so exhibited or passed.
§ 20-1316. Executor or administrator to withhold amount claimed
pending litigation
Where an action is commenced against an executor or administrator
for the recovery of a larger debt or damages than he considers due, so
that it cannot be ascertained before verdict, the executor or adminis-
trator may retain such sum to meet the debt or damages as the Probate
Court allows. Where more than enough is allowed, the party shall
afterwards account for it, but a sum may not be retained on account of
the further debt or damages when the court is satisfied that there will
be money sufficient coming in after the dividend to meet the damages,
or a just proportion thereof, regard being had to other claims.
§ 20-1317. Claims of executors and administrators to be passed by
Court
A n executor or administrator may not be allowed to retain for his
own claim against the decedent, unless the claim is passed by the
Probate Court. Such a claim stands on an equal footing with other
claims of the same nature.
§ 20-1318. Period during which creditors may file suit after claim
is contested
If a claim is exhibited against an executor or administrator which
he considers his duty to dispute or reject, he may retain in his hands
assets proportioned to the amount of the claim, which assets shall be
liable to other claims, or to be delivered up or distributed in case the
claim is not established. If, on a claim exhibited and disputed, the
creditor or claimant does not, within three months after the dispute or
rejection, commence a suit for recovery, he is forever barred. On a
dividend to be made three months after the dispute or rejection and
failure to bring suit, the executor or administrator may proceed to pay
or distribute as if he had no knowledge or notice of the claim or as
if it did not exist. If the claim is sued upon within the three-month
period, it may be ascertained by verdict or otherwise, and the court
shall proceed as directed by this chapter, regard being had to the
rules laid down by this chapter as to the notice to be given by the
executor or administrator and distribution or payment shall be made
after the notice.
§ 20-1319. Executor or administrator not responsible for claims
made after distribution
When all the assets have been paid away, delivered, or distributed as
directed by this chapter, and afterwards a claim is exhibited of
which the executor or administrator has no knowledge or notice b j
the exhibition of the claim legally authenticated, as required by this
chapter, he is not answerable for it. When he is sued for a claim and
makes it appear to the court in which suit is brought that he has so
paid away, delivered, or distributed, and the plaintijff cannot prove
that the defendant had notice as herein specified before the payment,
delivery, or distribution, the court, although the amount of the claim
against the deceased may be ascertained, may not give judgment until
the plaintiff is able to show further assets coming into the defendant's
hands; but if the plaintiff proves notice, as herein specified, of the
claim against the defendant, judgment may be immediately given for
such sum as the plaintiff ought to have received at the dividend, and
fieri facias may issue and have effect, and further judgment may be
given on the coming in of further assets.
§ 20-1320. Notice to creditors to file claims

An executor or administrator who, after six months from the date
of his letters, pays away assets to the discharge of just claims is not
answerable for any claim of which he had no knowledge or notice by
an exhibition of the claim legally authenticated, if, at least three
months before he makes distribution he causes to be inserted in as
many newspapers as the Probate Court directs, a notice to the follow-
ing effect: "This is to give notice that the subscriber, of , has
obtained from the Probate Court of the District of Columbia letters
testamentary (or of administration) on the personal estate of
, late of , deceased. All persons having claims
against the deceased are hereby warned to exhibit the same, with the
vouchers thereof legally authenticated, to the subscriber on or before
the day of next; they may otherwise by law be
excluded from all benefit of the estate.
"Given under my hand this day of .".
§ 20-1321. Report and proof of notice
The executor or administrator may report to the court, with an
affidavit of the proof thereof annexed, the fact of having given the
notice specified by section 20-1320, and the court, on being satisfied
that its order has been complied with and the notice has been given,
shall indorse on the report its certificate that it has been proven to its
satisfaction that the notice has been given as therein reported, and
shall order the report and certificate to be recorded among the records
of the court.
§ 20-1322. Report of notice as prima facie evidence; copy as legal
evidence
The report and certificates specified by section 20-1321 are prima
facie evidence of the giving of the notice as therein stated; and a copy
of the report, certificate, and order, under the seal of the Register of
Wills, is legal and competent evidence.
§ 20-1323. Docket of claims
The Register of Wills shall enter in a suitable book, to be provided
by him for that purpose, all claims against a decedent as they are
regularly passed by the Probate Court, giving the date of the passage,
the name of the creditor, the character of the claim, whether on note
or open account, bond, bill, obligation, judgment, or other evidence
of debt, and the amount thereof; and the entry of a claim upon the
docket constitutes notice to the executor or administrator of its
existence.
§20-1324. Filed claim no evidence of correctness if disputed;
filing as tolling limitations
A claim entered on the docket as provided by section 20-1323 does
not afford evidence as to the justice or correctness of a debt therein
entered when it is controverted by an executor or administrator in a
suit instituted for the recovery of the debt; and it does not take a
debt out of the operation of a defense of limitations.
§20-1325. Priorities
(a) The debts of the decedent shall be paid according to the follow-
ing priority:
(1) funeral expenses, according to the condition and circum-
stances of the deceased, not exceeding $600;
(2) claims for rent in arrears for which an attachment might
be levied by law;
(3) judgments and decrees of courts in the District of
Columbia;
(4) all other just claims, which shall be on an equal footing,

without priority.
(b) Where there are not sufficient assets to discharge all the judg-
ments and decrees specified in item (3) of subsection (a) of this sec-
tion, a proportionate dividend shall be made between the judgment
and decree creditors.
(c) This section is subject to section 19-101 and chapter 21 of this
title relating to the family allowance and the administration of small
estates.
§20-1326. N o claim to be noticed unless legally authenticated
An executor or administrator is not bound to discharge a claim
against his decedent unless it is exhibited to him, legally authenticated,
or unless the claim has been passed by the Probate Court and entered
by the Register of Wills upon his docket.
§ 20-1327. Meeting of creditors
An executor or administrator may appoint a meeting of creditors
on a day approved by the court, and passage of claims, payment, or
distribution may be there made under the court's direction and control.
§ 20^1328. Distribution of residue
When it appears by the first or other account of an executor or
administrator that all the claims against, or debts of, the decedent
which have been known by or notified to him have been discharged or
allowed for in his account, he shall deliver up and distribute the sur-
plus or residue of the personal estate not disposed of by a will, as
directed by chapters 3 and 7 of title 19, but his power and dutj^ with
respect to future assets do not cease. After the delivery he is not
liable for debts afterwards notified to him, when he has advertised
as directed by this chapter, unless assets afterwards come into his
hands which are answerable for debts.
§20-1329. Creditor's rights against property of nonresident de-
cedent; limitation
(a) On the death of a person not domiciled in the District of
Columbia at the time of his death so much of his real and personal
estate in the District of Columbia as may be necessary for the pay-
ment and discharge of just claims against him of creditors and per-
sons domiciled in the District of Columbia are also the subject of ad-
ministration under authority and direction of the Probate Court,
irrespective of the personal estate of the decedent at his place of
domicile or elsewhere.
(b) The prosecution of claims referred to by subsection (a) of this
section shall be commenced within six months after the death of the
decedent.
CHAPTER 15—SUITS
Sec.
20-1501. Suits by and against executors and administrators.
20-1502. Judgments against executor or administrator; amount of damages;
when assessed.
20-1503. Concealment of assets by strangers.
20-1504. Concealment by executor or administrator.
20-1505. Suits by foreign executors and administrators.
20-1506. Suits on bonds against heirs.
§ 20-1501. Suits by and against executors and administrators
(a) Executors and administrators may commence and prosecute
any civil action which the testator or intestate might have commenced
and prosecuted, and may be sued in any civil action which might have
been maintained against the deceased.
(b) I n a civil action based on a tort claim, brought by or against
an executor or administrator, the right of action conferred by this
section is limited to damages for personal injury. I t does not include

the right to recover for pain and suffering.
§20-1502. Judgments against executor or administrator; amount
of damages; when assessed
(a) When the verdict of the jury in a suit against an executor or
administrator is against the defendant, or he is willing to confess
judgment, and the debt or damages which the deceased, if alive, ought
to pay, is ascertained by verdict, or confession, or otherwise, the court
shall assess the sum which the executor or administrator ought to pay,
regard being had to the amount of assets in his hands and the debts
due to other persons. When it appears to the court that there are assets
to discharge all just claims against the deceased, the judgment shall
be for the whole debt or damages found by the jury, or confessed, or
otherwise ascertained, and costs. When it appears to the court that
there are not sufficient assets to discharge all just claims against the
deceased, the judgment shall be for such sum only as bears a just
proportion to the amount of the debt or damages and costs, regard
being had to the amount of all the just claims and of the assets.
(b) The court may not assess, as provided by subsection (a) of this
section, and enter judgment against an executor or administrator until
the time limited by law or by the court for the executor or adminis-
trator to pass his account has expired and the executor or administra-
tor has made oath that he does not have assets to discharge all the
just claims. The account settled by the Probate Court, in which the
debt or damages sued for ought to be stated, is evidence to show the
amount of assets and claims; arid the court may, when the actual debt
or damages are ascertained, refer the matter to an auditor to ascertain
the sum for which judgment shall be given. When the judgment is
for a sum inferior to the real actual or damage and costs, it shall also
stipulate "that the plaintiff be entitled to such further sum as the court
shall hereafter assess on discovery of further assets in the hands of the
defendant". The court, at any time afterwards, when applied to by
the plaintiff, on three days' notice to the defendant or his attorney,
may assess and give judgment for such further proportionable sum as
the plaintiff appears entitled to, regard being had as provided by this
section to the amount of the debt and other claims. On a judgment
entered as provided by this section a fieri facias may issue against the
defendant, and either his own goods or the goods of the deceased may
be thereupon taken and sold. The executor or administrator shall
discharge the judgment or put it on a footing with other just claims,
and on failure his bond may be sued upon by the plaintiff,
§ 20-1503. Concealment of assets by strangers
When an executor, administrator, or collector believes that a person
is concealing any part of his decedent's estate, he may file a petition in
the court alleging the concealment, and the court may compel an answer
thereto on oath. When the court is satisfied, upon an examination of
the whole case, that the party charged has concealed any part of the
estate of the deceased, it may order the delivery thereof to the execu-
tor, administrator, or collector, and may enforce obedience to the
order in the same manner in which orders of the court may be
enforced.
§ 20-1504. Concealment by executor or administrator
If a person interested in a decedent's estate by petition alleges that
the executor, administrator, or collector has concealed or has in his
hands and has omitted to return in the inventory or list of debts any
part of his decedent's assets^ and the court finally adjudges and
decrees in favor of the allegations of the petition, in whole or in part,
it shall order an additional inventory or list of debts, as the case may

be, to be returned by the executor, administrator, or collector, and
appraisement to be made accordingly, to comprehend the assets
omitted. The court may compel obedience to the order, and, if it is
not complied with, revoke the letters and order the bond of the execu-
tor, administrator, or collector to be put in suit.
§ 20-1505. Suits by foreign executors and administrators
A person to whom letters testamentary or of administration have
been granted by the proper authority in any of the United States or
the territories thereof may maintain a suit or action and prosecute
and recover a claim in the District of Columbia in the same manner
as if the letters had been granted to him in the District. The letters,
or a copy thereof certified under the seal of the authority granting
them, are sufficient evidence to prove the granting of the letters, and
that the person has administration. The Probate Court of the District
of Columbia may, however, upon the petition of any one interested,
require from the person the security required by law in like cases from
a resident administrator or executor, or the court may grant auxiliary
or ancillary letters, if the case requires, to the same person or other
persons.
§ 20-1506. Suits on bonds against heirs
A creditor by a bond which purports to bind the heirs of the obligor
may not sue the heirs in respect of assets descended to them, but shall
make his claim against the estate in the same manner as required
of other creditors. Debts arising by specialty and by simple contract,
without distinction, are payable primarily out of the personal estate,
and, if that is insufficient, are payable equally and without preference
out of the proceeds of the real estate.
CHAPTER 17—ACCOUNTS
Sec.
20-1701. Time for rendering first account.
20-1702. Subsequent accounts.
20-1703. Failure to account.
20-1704. Assets to be charged.
20-1705. Disbursements and allowances.
20-1706. Bequests to executors.
20-1707. Executor of deceased executor or administrator to render account.
20-1708. Accounts of deceased executrix or administratrix.
20-1709. Lost property.
20-1710. Executor or administrator of deceased executor or administrator en-
titled to commission; accounts.
§ 20-1701. Time for rendering first account
An executor or administrator shall render to the Probate Court
within twelve months from the date of his letters the first account of
his administration, and may render the account six months after the
date of his letters.
§ 20-1702. Subsequent accounts
When the first account of an executor or administrator does not show
the estate which was on hand to be fully administered, the executor or
administrator shall render other accounts from time to time until the
estate is fully administered, under such rules as the court establishes.
§ 20-1703. Failure to account
If an executor or administrator fails to return an account within
the time limited by law or fixed by the rules of court, or within such
further time as the Probate Court allows, his letters, on application
of a person interested, may be revoked and administration granted at
the discretion of the court.
§ 20-1704. Assets to be charged

I n the account, the executor or administrator shall state, on one
side, the assets which have come to his hands, according to the
inventory returned to the court, or received and appraised after the
inventory returned, and the sales made under the court's direction.
The inventories shall show the articles of the estate, and the sales,
the amount of their value, and where they have been sold. For articles
so sold the executor or administrator shall be charged the price accord-
ing to the return. When articles have been sold for credit and not yet
paid for they shall be accounted for in a subsequent account, and all
moneys received for debts due the decedent shall be included in the
account.
§ 20-1705. Disbursements and allowances
On the other side of the account the executor or administrator shall
state the disbursements made by him, and debts and allowances, as
follows:
(1) funeral expenses, to be allowed at the discretion of the
court, according to the condition and circumstances of the de-
ceased, not exceeding $600, except that for special cause shown
the court may make an additional allowance, not exceeding $400;
(2) the family allowance provided for by section 19-101;
(3) the debts of the deceased proved or passed as directed by
this title, and paid or retained;
(4) the allowance for things lost, or which have perished with-
out his fault, which allowance shall be according to the appraise-
ment;
(5) the commissions of the executor or administrator, which
shall be, at the discretion of the court, not under one per centum
nor exceeding ten per centum on the amount of the inventories,
excluding what is lost or has perished; and
(6) the allowance to the executor or administrator for his costs,
attorney fees, and extraordinary expenses which the court con-
siders proper to allow.
§20-1706. Bequests to executors
Where anything is bequeathed to an executor by way of compensa-
tion, an allowance of commission may not be made unless the compen-
sation appears to the court to be insufficient. Where it is insufficient,
it shall be reckoned in the commission to be allowed by the court.
§ 20-1707. Executor of deceased executor or administrator to ren-
der account
The executor or administrator of a deceased executor or admin-
istrator who dies before an account of his administration has been
rendered shall render an account showing the amount of the assets
received and the payment made by his decedent. The account so ren-
dered shall, if found by the court to be correct, be admitted to record
as other administration accounts.
§ 20-1708. Accounts of deceased executrix or administratrix
The husband of an executrix or administratrix who dies before a
final account of her administration has been settled shall render an
account, if required by the court, showing the amount of money
and property received and of payments and disbursements
made by the executrix or administratrix, or that may have been re-
ceived or paid by him, and not before accounted for with the court.
The account so rendered shall, if found by the court to be correct, be
admitted to record as other administration accounts in cases where the
executrix or administratrix rendered them in person. If the husband
refuses to render the account, the court may proceed against him by
attachment, and may commit him until he renders the account.
§ 20-1709. Lost property
The Probate Court may make allowance to an executor, admin-
istrator, or collector for property of the decedent which has perished
or been lost without the fault of the party. Profit may not be made
and loss may not be sustained by an executor or administrator in
the increase or decrease of the estate under his management. H e
shall return an inventory and account for the increase, and may be
allowed for the decrease on the settlement of the final or other account.
§ 20-1710. Executor or administrator of deceased executor or ad-
ministrator entitled to commission; accounts
The executor or administrator of a deceased executor or administra-
tor shall return, on oath, to the court, on or before the day named as
provided by section 20-359 (b), a list of the bonds, notes, accounts,
and money provided by subsection (a) of that section, and may retain
out of the money such commission as the court allows, not exceeding
ten per centum on the principal inventory. The personal estate and
money turned over by him constitute assets in the hands of the admin-
istrator de bonis non, to be accounted for by him as such.
CHAPTER 19—DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS

Sec.
20-1901. Distribution; when to be made.
20-1902. Distribution of specific property.
20-1903. Distribution of specific articles; liow to be made.
20-1904. Partial distribution.
20-1905. Distribution of specific bequests.
20-1906. Bequest to female.
20-1907. Meeting of legatees or next of kin.
§20-1901. Distribution; when to be made
When the debts of an intestate, exhibited and proved, or notified
and not barred, have been discharged or settled, or allowed to be
retained for as directed by this title, the administrator shall make
distribution of the surplus as provided by chapters 3 and 7 of Title 19.
§ 20-1902. Distribution of specific property
Where the surplus remaining in an administrator's hands after pay-
ment of all just debts exhibited and proved or notified and not barred,
or after retaining for them, consists of specific property or articles
mentioned in the inventory, the administrator, if he cannot satisfy the
parties, may apply to the court to make distribution. The Probate
Court may appoint a day for making distribution, and by summons
call on the parties to appear, and, at the appointed time, proceed to dis-
tribute. I f a majority in point of value neglect to appear, or, if
appearing, object to the distribution of the articles, or if the court
deems a sale of the articles or any part of them more advantageous,
it shall order a sale accordingly, and the rules provided by this title
relative to a sale by order of the court shall be observed.
§ 20-1903. Distribution of specific articles; how to be made
When a distribution of specific articles is to be made the court
may apj)oint two disinterested persons, not in any way related to
the parties concerned, to make the distribution among the persons
entitled as to them seems proper; or when, in their opinion, upon
a view of the articles, a distribution among the persons entitled
could not be by them made which would operate equally, but a sale
thereof would be more advantageous to the persons, they shall return
to the court their opinion in writing. The court shall thereupon order
a sale of the articles, upon reasonable notice, and cause the proceeds
of the sale to be equally distributed among the parties entitled.
49-850 0-66—49
§ 20-1904. Partial distribution

When a person applies to the Probate Court by petition, and satis-
fies the court that he is in want of subsistence or greatly straitened in
circumstances, and that it probably will not require more than one-half
of the assets to discharge the debts, the court may direct the executor
or administrator to deliver to the petitioner any part of what the court
believes will be his distributive share, or any p a r t of a legacy or
bequest in money not exceeding one-third part, the petitioner giving
bond, with security approved by the court, to the executor or admin-
istrator for returning the part so delivered, or an equivalent, with
interest, when so directed by the court. The court may determine in
a summary way on the petition, after summons against the executor
or administrator duly returned "summoned" or "non est".
§ 20-1905. Distribution of specific bequests
The court, in like manner as provided by section 20-1904, on a
petition by a person in circumstances as described in that section, to
whom a specific legacy or bequest has been made, being satisfied that
the assets, exclusive of all specific legacies, will not be nearly ex-
hausted by debts, may direct the executor or administrator with the
will annexed to deliver to the petitioner the specific legacy or bequest
on his giving bond as provided by section 20-1904.
§ 20-1906. Bequest to female
When a bequest of personal property or money is made to a female
and directed by the will to be paid on her attaining to full, mature, or
to a lawful age, the female is entitled to receive and demand the
personal property or money on arriving at the age of 18 years or
on being married.
§ 20-1907. Meeting of legatees or next of kin
An administrator may appoint a meeting of persons entitled to
distributive shares or legacies or a residue, on a day approved by the
court, and payment or distribution may be made at the meeting under
the court's direction and control.
CHAPTER 21—ADMINISTRATION OF SMALL ESTATES

Sec.
20-2101. Petition for distribution of small estate; order.
20-2102. Waiver of administration; notice to creditors; final order.
20-2103. Exemptions from liability.
20-2104. Waiver of bond and commissions.
20-2105. Forms to be furnished; fees.
20-2106. Discovery of additional property.
20-2107. Penalties for false affldavits and other violations.
20-2108. Application of chapter.
§20-2101. Petition for distribution of small estate; order
(a) When a person dies, leaving a small estate consisting only of
personal property of a value not in excess of $500, the surviving spouse
or minor children entitled to the family allowance authorized by
section 19-101 may file in the Probate Court a petition, under oath,
declaring:
(1 ^ the time and place of decedent's death;
(2) the known next of kin;
(3) the known assets and by whom they are held;
(4) that the petitioner has made a diligent search to discover
all assets of the deceased;
(5) the amount of the funeral expenses and to whom they are
due; and
(6) that the assets do not exceed $500 in value.
The minor children shall act through the person having their
custody or a next friend.
(b) When the Probate Court is satisfied that the allegations in a
petition filed under subsection (a) of this section are true, it shall enter
a final order:
(1) declaring that formal administration is not necessary and
that probate of a will is not required;
(2) fixing the amount of funeral expenses allowable and
specifying to whom they are due and out of what property they
are to be paid;
(3) vesting title to the remainder of the property in the sur-
viving spouse or minor children, as the case may be, in satisfac-
tion of the family allowance; and
(4) directing the persons having possession of the property
to pay over, transfer, and deliver it as allotted.
The Probate Court may also authorize in the order, or by further
order, the sale of any of the property as the exigencies of the situa-
tion require.
§20-2102. Waiver of administration; notice to creditors; final
order
(a) When a person dies intestate, leaving a small estate consisting
only of personal property of a value not in excess of $500, and there is
no surviving spouse or minor child, the person entitled to be pre-
ferred in the appointment of an administrator may file in the Probate
Court a petition, under oath, declaring:
(1) the time and place of the decedent's death;
(2) the known next of kin;
(3) that diligent search has been made for a will and none has
been found;
(4) the known creditors, together with the amount of each
claim, including contingent and disputed claims;
(5) the amount of the funeral expenses;
(6) the known assets and by whom they are held;
(7) that the petitioner has made a diligent search to discover
all assets and debts of the deceased;
(8) that the assets do not exceed $500 in value; and
(9) that there are no known legal proceedings pending in which
the decedent is a party.
(b) When the Probate Court is satisfied that the allegations in a
petition filed under subsection (a) of this section are true, it shall enter
a preliminary order declaring that formal administration is not neces-
sary, and instructing the petitioner to publish once, in substantially the
usual form, notice to creditors to exhibit their claims, duly authenti-
cated, within 30 days after the notice. The notice shall be inserted in
one newspaper of general circulation in the District of Columbia as
the court directs.
(c) When a preliminary order has been entered and the notice
has been published, as provided by.r subsection (b) of this section, and
the time provided in the notice has expired, the petitioner shall file,
under oath, a statement, with the usual proof of publication attached,
that the notice has been published, and that the time has expired, and
listing all then known creditors, including contingent and disputed
claims, and the amount of each claim.
(d) When the Probate Court is satisfied that the statement filed
under subsection (c) of this section is true, and after hearing and dis-
posing of any objections filed in the court by persons interested in the
estate, it shall enter a final order:
(1) directing the petitioner to pay from the estate all the
claims, in the order of priority provided by law;
(2) authorizing a person having possession of any property

of the estate to transfer, pay over, and deliver it in accordance
with the petitioner's directions; and
(3) decreeing that, after the Register of Wills certifies upon
the final order that he has seen the vouchers for the payment of
the claims and is satisfied that the claims, as well as the fees pro-
vided for by this chapter, have been paid, the remaining balance
of the estate, if any, shall be vested:
(A) in the adult surviving children, equally; or
(B) if there is no adult surviving child, then in those
persons who would be entitled to the remaining balance of the
estate under chapter 3 of Title 19.
The share of a minor is payable, in the discretion of the court,
to the person having custody of the minor or to such other person as
the court designates, to be used solely for the care and maintenance of
the minor.
(e) The court may also provide in its final order issued under
subsection (d) of this section for the sale of any property, upon
such terms as it deems advisable, and for the distribution of the pro-
ceeds in accordance with the order.
§ 20-2103. Exemptions from liability
In the absence of fraud, a person who pays over, transfers, or de-
livers property pursuant to a final order entered under section 20-2101,
or pursuant to the directions of a petitioner acting under authority
of a final order under section 20-2102, is not liable for the application
thereof, and he, or a person who receives any property pursuant to
a final order entered under section 20-2101, or pursuant to the direc-
tions of a petitioner acting under authority of a final order under sec-
tion 20-2102, is not responsible for any claims on account of the pay-
ment, transfer, delivery, or receipt of the property. The property
distributed pursuant to a final order in either case becomes the absolute
property of the respective distributees thereof.
§ 20-2104. Waiver of bond and commissions
A petitioner under this chapter is not required to be represented by
an attorney, or to give bond, and he may not receive a commission for
performing services under this chapter.
§20-2105. Forms to be furnished; fees
The Register of Wills shall prepare, and make available, forms
whereby the petition and final order under section 20-2101, and the
petition, preliminary order, the statement, the final order, and the
certificate of payment under section 20-2102, shall constitute in each
case one connected instrument. In lieu of all other fees, costs, or
charges, the Register of Wills shall receive a fee of $5 for all services
administered under this chapter, including the taking of affidavits,
plus a fee of 25 cents for each certified copy of the instruments.
§ 20-2106. Discovery of additional property
The discovery of additional property of the decedent, after the filing
of a petition in either case provided for by this chapter, shall be re-
ported by the petitioner to the Probate Court as soon as discovered by
him. The existence of the additional property does not invalidate any
proceedings under this chapter except when the additional property
IS discovered before the entry of the final order provided for, and
either (1) is real estate, or (2) increases the total value of the estate to
more than $500. I n either case a final order may not be entered under
this chapter, and the court shall require regular administration. When
additional personal property is discovered after entry of the final
order, which does not increase the value of the total estate to more
than $500, the additional property may be distributed pursuant to a
new petition. In all other cases the additional property may not be
distributed under this chapter.
§ 20-2107. Penalties for false affidavits and other violations
Whoever makes a false affidavit under this chapter, or willfully
violates an order of the Probate Court under this chapter, shall be
fined not more than $500 for each offense.
§ 20-2108. Application of chapter
This chapter applies to estates of persons dying after June 24,
1949; and where there is a conflict or inconsistency between this chap-
ter and any other law, this chapter governs.
CHAPTER 23-ESTATES OF ABSENTEES AND
ABSCONDERS
Sec.
20-2301. Petition for appointment of receiver, where absentees interested in
property; United States attorney as party.
20-2302. Warrant to United States marshal; fees of marshal.
20-2303. Notice of hearing to absentee and interested parties.
20-2304. Time of hearing; publication and posting of notice.
20-2305. Appointment of receiver; bond; finding of date of disappearance.
20-2306. Transfer of property to receiver; schedule of property.
20-2307. Possession, by receiver, of additional property; collection of debts.
20-2308. Procedure where absentee left only debts due; appointment of receiver.
20-2309. Care, custody, sale of property.
20-2310. Support of absentee's wife and minor children.
20-2311. Receiver may adjust claims of or against estate.
20-2312. Ck)mpensation of receiver; interest of absentee in property to cease
after fourteen years.
20-2313. Distribution after fourteen years as if absentee had died intestate.
20-2314. Time for distribution and accounting when receiver not appointed
within thirteen years.
20-2315. Construction with other laws.
§ 20-2301. Petition for appointment of receiver, where absentees
interested in property; United States attorney as
party
(a) If a person entitled to or having an interest in property in the
District of Columbia has disappeared or absconded from the District
of Columbia, and it is not known where he is, or if he, having a wife
or minor child, dependent to any extent upon him for support, has
disappeared or absconded without making sufficient provision for the
support, and it is not known where he is, or if his whereabouts is
known and he has been without the District of Columbia continuously
for two years or longer, a person who would under the law of the
District of Columbia be entitled to administer upon the estate of
the absentee if he were deceased, or, if no one is known to be so en-
titled, any suitable person, or the wife, or someone in her or the
minor's behalf, may file a petition, under oath, in the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia, stating:
(1) the name, age, occupation, and last known residence or ad-
dress of the absentee;
(2) the date and circumstances of the disappearance or ab-
sconding; and
(3) the names and residences of other persons, whether mem-
bers of the absentee's family or otherwise, of whom inquiry may
be made.
The petition shall also contain a schedule of the property, real and
personal, of the absentee, as far as known, within the District of
Columbia, and pray that the property be taken possession of, and a
receiver be appointed under this chapter.
(b) The United States attorney for the District of Columbia
shall be made a party to a petition filed under subsection (a) of this
section, and shall be given notice of all subsequent proceedings under
this chapter.
§ 20-2302. Warrant to United States marshal; fees of marshal
Upon the filing of a petition under section 20-2301, the court may
issue a warrant directed to the United States marshal for the
District of Columbia, commanding him to take possession of the
property named in the schedule and hold it subject to the order of the
court, and make return of the warrant as soon as may be, with a
statement of his actions thereon and a schedule of the property so
taken. The marshal shall post a copy of the warrant upon each
parcel of land named in the schedule and cause so much of the war-
rant as relates to land to be recorded with the recorder of deeds of
the District of Columbia. H e shall receive such fees for serving
the warrant as the court allows, but not more than those established
b j law for similar service upon a writ of attachment. If the peti-
tion is dismissed, the fees and the cost of publishing and serving the
notice provided for by this chapter shall be paid by the petitioner;
but if a receiver is appointed, they shall be paid by the receiver and
allowed in his account.
§ 20-2303. Notice of hearing to absentee and interested parties
Upon the return of the warrant issued under section 20-2302, the
court may issue a notice reciting the substance of the petition, the
warrant, and the marshal's return, which shall be addressed to the
absentee and to all persons who claim of record an interest in the
property, or who are known to petitioner to claim an interest in the
property, and to all whom it may concern, citing them to appear at a
time and place named and show cause why a receiver of the property
named in the marshal's schedule should not be appointed and the prop-
erty held and disposed of under this chapter.
§20-2304. Time of hearing; publication and posting of notice
The return day of the notice issued under section 20-2303 shall be
not less than 30 nor more than 60 days after its date unless otherwise
ordered by the court. The court shall order the notice to be published
not less than once in each of three successive weeks in one or more
newspapers within the District of Columbia, and a copy to be posted
in a conspicuous place and upon each parcel of land named in the
marshal's schedule, and a copy to be mailed to the last known address
of the absentee. The court may order other and further notice to be
given within or without the District of Columbia.
§20-2305. Appointment of receiver; bond; finding of date of dis-
appearance
The absentee or a person who claims an interest in any of the
property may appear and show cause why the prayer of the petition
filed under section 20-2301 should not be granted. The court may,
after hearing, dismiss the petition and order the property in posses-
sion of the marshal to be returned to the person entitled thereto, or it
may appoint a receiver of the property which is in the possession of the
marshal and named in his schedule. When a receiver is appointed, the
court shall find and record the date of the disappearance or abscond-
ing of the absentee. The receiver shall give bond to the court in
such sum and with such conditions as the court orders, with a
corporate surety thereon approved by the court.
§20-2306. Transfer of property to receiver; schedule of property
After the approval of the bond required by section 20-2305, the court
majr order the marshal to transfer and deliver to the receiver the pos-
session of the property under the warrant provided by section 20-2302,
and the receiver shall file in the court a schedule of the property re-
ceived by him.
§20-2307. Possession, by receiver, of additional property; col-
lection of debts
Upon petition of a receiver appointed under section 20-2305,
the court may direct him to take possession of any additional
property within the District of Columbia which belongs to the ab-
sentee and to demand and collect all debts due the absentee from any
person within the District of Columbia, and hold the property and
moneys collected as if they had been transferred and delivered to
him by the marshal.
§ 20-2308. Procedure where absentee left only debts due him; ap-
pointment of receiver
When the absentee has left no corporeal property within the District
of Columbia, but there are debts and obligations due or owing to him
from persons within the District of Columbia, a petition may be filed,
as provided by section 20-2301, stating the nature and amount of the
debts and obligations, as far as known, and praying that a receiver
thereof be appointed. The court may thereupon issue a notice
as provided by section 20-2303, without issuing a warrant, and may,
upon the return of the notice and after a summary hearing, dismiss
the petition or appoint a receiver and direct him to demand and col-
lect the debts and obligations specified in the petition. The receiver
shall give bond as provided by section 20-2305, and shall hold the
proceeds of the debts and obligations and all property received by
him, and distribute them as hereafter provided by this chapter. The
court may confer upon the receiver such further authority as may be
conferred under section 20-2307.
§ 20-2309. Care, custody, sale of property
The court may make orders for the care, custody, leasing, and invest-
ing of property and its proceeds in the possession of a receiver ap-
pointed under this chapter. After the appointment of a receiver,
upon his petition and after notice, the court may order all or part of
the property, including the rights of the absentee in land, to be
mortgaged, or sold at public or private sale, to supply money for
payments authorized by this chapter or for reinvestment approved
by the court.
§ 20-2310. Support of absentee's wife and minor children
The court may order the property held by the receiver under this
chapter, or its proceeds acquired by mortgage, lease, or sale, to be
applied in payment of charges incurred or that may be incurred in
the support and maintenance of the absentee's wife and minor chil-
dren, and to the discharge of debts and claims for alimony proved
against the absentee.
§ 20-2311. Receiver may adjust claims of or against estate
The court may authorize a receiver appointed under this chapter
to adjust by arbitration or compromise demands in favor of or against
the estate of the absentee.
§ 20-2312. Compensation of receiver; interest of absentee in prop-

erty to cease after fourteen years
A receiver appointed under this chapter shall be allowed such com-
pensation and disbursements as the court orders, to be paid out of
the property or proceeds. I f within 14 years after the date of the
disappearance and absconding as found and recorded by the court,
the absentee appears, or an administrator, executor, assignee in
insolvency, or trustee in bankruptcy of the absentee is appointed, the
receiver shall account for, deliver, and pay over to him the remainder
of the property. If the absentee does not appear and claim the prop-
erty within the 14-year period specified, all his right, title, and interest
in the property, real or personal, or the proceeds thereof shall cease,
and no action may be brought by him on account thereof.
§20-2313. Distribution after fourteen years as if absentee had
died intestate
When, at the expiration of the 14-year period specified by section
20-2312, the property has not been accounted for, delivered, or paid
over under section 20-2312, the court shall order the distribution of
the remainder to the persons to whom, and in the shares and pro-
portions in which, it would have been distributed if the absentee had
died intestate within the District of Columbia on the day 14 years
after the date of the disappearance or absconding as found and
recorded by the court.
§ 20-2314. Time for distribution and accounting when receiver not
appointed within thirteen years
When a receiver is appointed more than 13 years after the date found
by the court under section 20-2305, the time limited for accounting
for, or fixed for distributing, the property or its proceeds, or for bar-
ring actions relative thereto, is one year after the date of his appoint-
ment instead of the 14 years provided by sections 20-2312 and 20-2313;
except that the time limited for accounting for, or fixed for distribut-
ing, any additional property or its proceeds within the District of
Columbia coming into the possession of the receiver during the one
year period, or for barring actions relative thereto, is one year after
the date possession is taken by the receiver.
§ 20-2315. Construction with other laws
77 Stat. 522. This chapter does not modify sections 14-701 and 14-702.
TITLE 21—FIDUCIARY RELATIONS AND THE

MENTALLY ILL
CHAPTBB Sec.
1. G U A R D I A N S H I P OF I N F A N T S 21-101
3. G I F T S TO M I N O R S — U N I F O R M L A W 21-301
5. HOSPITALIZATION OF T H E MENTALLY I I I 21-501
7. PROPERTY OF MENTALLY I I I PERSONS 21-701
9. MENTALLY I I I PERSONS FOUND I N CERTAIN FEDERAL RESERVATIONS 21-901
11. CJOMMITMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF FEEBLE-MINDED PERSONS 21-1101
13. ALCOHOLICS AND DRUG ADDICTS 21-1301
15. CJONSERVATOES 21-1501
17, UNIFORM FIDUCIARIES A C T 21-1701
CHAPTER 1—GUARDIANSHIP OF I N F A N T S
SUBCHAPTER I—APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN; BOND
Sec.
21-101. Natural guardians of the person.
21-102. Testamentary guardians of the person.
21-103. Appointment of guardians of the person by court; limitation of number
of wards.
21-104. Termination of guardianship of the person.
21-105. Appointment by deed or will for child inheriting from parent.
21-106. Guardian of estate.
21-107. Preferences in appointment of guardian of estate.
21-108. Selection of guardian by infant.
21-109. Husband as guardian of estate.
21-110. Service on nonresident guardian; failure to give power of attorney.
21-111. Ancillary guardian of estate of nonresident infant.
21-112. Suits by ancillary guardian.
21-113. Enjoining husband, parent, or testamentary guardian from interfering
with minor's estate.
21-114. Bond from parents of child entitled to property.
21-115. Bond of guardian of estate.
21-116. One bond for several wards.
21-117. Additional bond.
21-118. Counter security; petition by surety.
21-119. Allowances made before bond given.
21-120. Settlement of actions involving minor children ; appointment of guardian
of estate.
SUBCHAPTER II—PROPERTY OF INFANTS
21-141. Possession of property.
21-142. Inventory.
21-143. Duties ; accounts ; maintenance and education ; sales ; compensation.
21-144. Property subject to liens.
21-145. Property subject to executory contract.
21-146. Contract for sale by adult in behalf of himself and infant.
21-147. Sale of infant's principal for maintenance or education.
21-148. Sale or exchange of real estate; proceedings.
21-149. Parties.
21-150. Proof.
21-151. Decree of sale; costs.
21-152. Terms of sale; lien.
21-153. Exchanges ; appointment of trustees.
21-154. Ratification of sales by court.
21-155. Sale or exchange of particular estate or remainder; application of
income.
21-156. Lease of infant's estate.
21-157. Mortgage of infant's estate.
21-158. Final account.
SUBCHAPTER III—INDIGENT BOYS
21-181. Enlistment of indigent boys.
21-182. Preparation of guardianship papers.
Subchapter I—Appointment of Guardian; Bond
§ 21-101. Natural guardians of the person

(a) The father and mother are the natural guardians of the person
of their minor children. When either dies or is incapable of acting,
the natural guardianship of the person devolves upon the other.
(b) This section does not affect the power of a court of competent
jurisdiction to appoint another person guardian of the children when
it appears to the court that the welfare of the children requires it.
§ 21-102. Testamentary guardians of the person
When one parent is dead, the other, whether of full age or not, may,
by last will and testament, appoint a guardian of the person to have
the care, custody, and tuition of his infant child, other than a married
female; and if the person so appointed refuses the trust, the Probate
Court may appoint another person in his place.
§ 21-103. Appointment of guardians of the person by court; limi-

tation of number of wards
(a) When an infant has neither a natural nor testamentary guar-
dian, a guardian of the person may be appointed by the Probate Court
in its own discretion or on the application of a next friend of the
infant.
(b) Only trust companies may act as guardian of the person for
more than five infants at one time, unless the infants are members of
one family.
§ 21-104. Termination of guardianship of the person
A natural guardianship or an appointive guardianship of the per-
son of an infant ceases, in the case of a male infant when he becomes
21 years of age, and in the case of a female infant when she becomes
18 years of age or marries.
§ 21-105. Appointment by deed or will for child inheriting from
parent
(a) I n case of the death of either parent from whom his or her minor
children inherit or take by devise or bequest, the parent may by deed
or last will and testament appoint a guardian of the property of the
children, subject to the approval of the proper court of the District of
Columbia.
(b) This section does not limit or affect the power of a court of
competent jurisdiction to appoint another person guardian of the
children when it appears to the court that the welfare of the children
requires it.
§ 21-106. Guardian of estate
(a) Subject to sections 21-101 to 21-104, when land descends or is
devised to an infant under 21 years of age, or the infant is entitled
to a distributive share of the personal estate of an intestate, or to a
legacy or bequest under a last will, or acquires real or personal prop-
erty by gift or purchase, the Probate Court may appoint a guardian
of the infant's estate; and if there is a guardian of the person of the
infant the guardian of the estate so appointed may be the same or a
different person.
(b) The appointment may be made at any time after the probate of
the will or the grant of administration when the infant is entitled as
a devisee, legatee, or next of kin.
(c) Only trust companies may act as guardian of the estate of
more than five infants at one time, unless the infants are entitled to
shares of the same estate.
§ 21-107. Preferences in appointment of guardian of estate
In appointing a guardian of the estate of an infant, unless said infant
1^ over 14 years of age as hereinafter directed in section 21-108, the
court shall give preference to—
(1) the father, if living; or
(2) if he is dead, then to the mother, if living; or
(3) if the infant is a married female, to her husband—
when in the judgment of the court the j)arent or husband is a suitable
person to have the management of the infant's estate.
§ 21-108. Selection of guardian by infant
(a) When a guardian, either of the person or the estate, of an infant
is appointed, the infant shall, if practicable, be brought before the
court, and, if over 14 years of age, shall be entitled to select and
nominate his or her jniardian.
(b) When a guardian has been appointed before the infant has
attained the age of 14 years, the infant, upon arriving at that age, may
select a new guardian, notwithstanding the appointment before made.
(c) The court shall pass upon the character and competency of the
guardian selected by the infant, and the guardian shall be:
(1) required to give bond as in other cases;
(2) subject to the control of the court; and
(3) under the same obligations and discharge the same duties—
as if selected by the court.
(d) When, after a guardian of the estate has been appointed, the
infant selects a new guardian upon arriving at the age of 14 years, and
the new selection is approved by the court, and the person selected is
duly appointed and qualified, the guardian previously appointed shall
settle his final account and turn over his ward's estate to the newly
appointed guardian.
§21-109. Husband as guardian of estate
When a female infant to whom a guardian of her estate has been
appointed marries, she may select her husband as the guardian of her
estate, with the approval of the court; and after he is duly appointed
and qualified by giving bond, as is required in other cases, the powers
of the guardian previously appointed shall cease, and he shall settle
his final account and turn over his ward's estate to her husband, ac-
cording to the order and directions of the court.
§ 21-110. Service on nonresident guardian; failure to give power
of attorney
Before original or ancillary letters of guardianship are issued, the
person designated, if a nonresident of the District of Columbia, shall
file in the office of the Register of Wills an irrevocable power of at-
torney designating the Register of Wills and his successors in office
as the person upon whom all notices and process issued by a competent
court in the District may be served, with like effect as personal service,
in relation to all suits, matters, causes, or things affecting or per-
taining to the estate in which the letters are to be issued. The Register
of Wills shall forthwith forward by registered or certified mail to
the address of the guardian, which shall be stated in the power of at-
torney, all notices or process served upon the Register under this
section.
§ 21-111. Ancillary guardian of estate of nonresident infant
When an infant residing outside the District of Columbia is en-
titled to property or to maintain an action in the District of Columbia,
a general guardian or committee of his estate, appointed by a court of
competent jurisdiction in the State or territory where the infant re-
sides, or a person at the request of the guardian or committee, may
petition the court for ancillary letters as guardian or committee.
The petition shall be under oath, accompanied by certified copies
of as much of the record and proceedings as shows the appointment
of the guardian or committee and that he has given a sufficient
bond to account for all property and money that may come into his
hands by virtue of the authority conferred. The court may thereupon
issue to the guardian or committee ancillary letters as such guardian
or committee,, without citation, or may cite such persons as it believes
proper to show cause why the application should be refused; and the
court shall require the security required by law in like cases from a
resident guardian or committee.
§ 21-112. Suits by ancillary guardian

(a) Upon the granting of ancillary letters, the guardian may insti-
tute and prosecute to judgment any action in the courts of the District
of Columbia, take possession of all property of his ward, and collect
and receive all moneys belonging and due to him therein, give full
receipt and acquittances for debts, and release all claims, liens, and
mortgages belonging to the ward, on property in the District of Colum-
bia, in the same manner as if his authority had been originally con-
ferred by the United States District Court for the District of
Columbia.
(b) The guardian shall give security for the costs which may accrue
in an action brought by him, in the same manner as other nonresidents
bringing suit in the courts of the District.
§ 21-113. Enjoining husband, parents, or testamentary guardian
from interfering with minor's estate
On application of a friend of an infant entitled to real or personal
estate, or in the exercise of its own discretion, the court may enjoin a
parent or husband or testamentary guardian from interfering with
the infant's estate without being appointed and giving bond as
guardian of the estate.
§ 21-114. Bond from parents of child entitled to property
When an infant whose father or mother is living becomes entitled to
property, the Probate Court may require the father or mother, as
guardian, to give bond and security to account for the property, and
on his or her failure or refusal so to do may appoint another person
guardian, who shall give bond as in other cases.
§ 21-115. Bond of guardian of estate
A guardian appointed by the court, other than a corporation author-
ized to act as guardian, and a testamentary guardian, unless otherwise
directed by the will making the appointment, before entering upon
or taking possession of or interfering with the estate of the infant,
shall execute a bond to the United States in such penalty and with such
surety as the court approves, to be recorded and to be liable to be
sued upon for the use of a person interested, witli the condition
that if he, as guardian, faithfully accounts to the court, as required
by law, for the management of the property and estate of the infant
under his care, and delivers up the property agreeably to the order
of the court or the directions of law, and in all respects performs the
duty of guardian according to law, then the obligation shall cease;
it shall otherwise remain in full force.
§ 21-116. One bond for several wards
When a person is guardian to a number of persons entitled to
shares of the same estate the court may accept one bond instead of
separate bonds for each ward, and the bond shall be liable to be sued
upon for the use of all or any of tlie wards as fully as separate bonds
might be.
§21-117. Additional bond
The court may at any time require a guardian to give bond or addi-
tional bond, when the interests of the infant require it, and on his fail-
ure or refusal so to do, may revoke his appointment and appoint an-
other guardian in his place, and require the estate of the infant to be
forthwith delivered to the newly appointed guardian, and may direct
the latter to bring suit upon the bond of his predecessor.
§21-118. Counter security; petition by surety
If a surety of a guardian by petition sets forth that he apprehends
himself to be in danger of loss in consequence of his suretyship, and
prays the court to be relieved, the court, after summoning the guardian
to answer the petition, may require him to give counter security to
indemnify his original surety or to deliver his ward's estate into the
hands of the surety or of another person. In either case, the court
shall require sufficient security for the proper management and appli-
cation of the estate to be given by the person into whose hands the
estate is delivered, and make such other order as seems just.
§ 21-119. Allowances made before bond given
An allowance made to a guardian for the clothing, support, mainte-
nance, education or other expenses incurred for the ward or his
estate, before the guardian gives bond or is appointed, has the same
effect in law as if made subsequently to the appointment of the
guardian and his giving bond.
§ 21-120. Settlement of actions involving minor children; appoint-
ment of guardian of estate
(a) A person entitled to maintain or defend an action on behalf of
a minor child, including an action relating to real estate, is competent
to settle an action so brought and, upon settlement thereof or upon
satisfaction of a judgment obtained therein, is competent to give a
full acquittance and release of all liability in connection with the
action, but such a settlement is not valid unless approved by a judge
of the court in which the action is pending.
(b) A person may not receive money or other property on behalf
of a minor in settlement of an action brought on behalf of or against
the minor or in satisfaction of a judgment in the action, where,
after deduction of fees, costs and all other expenses incident to the
matter, the net value of the money and property due the minor
exceeds $3,000, before he is appointed by a court of competent juris-
diction as guardian of the estate of the minor to receive the money or
property, and qualifies as such.
Subchapter II—Property of Infants

§ 21-141. Possession of property
On the execution of his bond, a guardian is entitled to an order
of the court directing the real and personal estate of the ward to be
delivered into his possession, and all legacies and distributive shares
to which the ward is entitled to be paid or delivered to him when
they are properly payable or distributable according to law.
§21-142. Inventory
Within three months after the execution and approval of his bond, a
guardian shall return to the court, under oath, an inventory of the
real and personal estate of his ward and of the probable annual income
thereof, and the court may direct the estate to be appraised and the an-
nual income thereof to be ascertained by two competent persons, to be
appointed by the court, who shall report their appraisement and find-
ing under oath.
§21-143. Duties; accounts; maintenance and education; sales;
compensation
A guardian shall manage the estate for the best interests of the
ward, and once in each year, or oftener if required, he shall settle an
account of his trust urder oath. He shall account for all profit and in-
crease of his ward's estate and the annual value thereof, and shall be
allowed credit for taxes, repairs, improvements, expenses, and commis-
sions, and he is not answerable for any loss or decrease sustained
without his fault. The court shall determine the amounts to be
expended annually in the maintenance and education of the infant, re-
gard being had to his future condition and prospects in life; and if
it deems it advantageous to the ward, may allow the guardian to
exceed the income of the estate and to make use of the principal and
sell it or part thereof, under the court's order, as provided by this sub-
chapter ; but a guardian may not sell any property of his ward without
an order of the court previously had therefor. The court shall aUow
a reasonable compensation for services rendered by the guardian not
exceeding a commission of five per centum of the amounts collected,
if and when disbursed.
§ 21-144. Property subject to liens
When an infant is entitled to real or personal estate in the District
of Columbia which is liable to a mortgage, trust, or lien, or is in any
way charged with the payment of money, the court may decree in the
case as if the infant were of full age.
§ 21-145. Property subject to executory contract
When an infant is:
(1) entitled to real or personal estate in the District of Colum-
bia bound by executory contract entered into by the person from
whom the infant derived title; or
(2) claims a right or interest in property under such a con-
tract—
the court may decree the execution of the contract or enter a just
and proper decree, as if the parties were of full age.
§21-146. Contract for sale by adult in behalf of himself and
infant
When a contract is made for the sale of real estate by persons inter-
ested therein jointly or in common with an infant, for and in behalf of
all the persons so interested, which the court, upon a hearing and ex-
amination of the circumstances, considers to be for the interest and
advantage both of the infant and of the other persons interested therein
to be confirmed, the court may confirm the contract and order a deed to
be executed according to it. Sales and deeds made in pursuance of
the order are sufficient in law to transfer the estate and interest of the
infant in the real estate.
§ 21-147. Sale of infant's principal for maintenance or education
When it appears, upon the verified petition of a guardian, or in case
of his refusal to act, a next friend of an infant, and the appearance and
answer of the infant by guardian to be appointed by the court, and
proof by deposition of one or more disinterested witnesses, that a sale
of the principal of the infant's estate, or of a part thereof, whether
real or personal, is necessary for his maintenance or education, regard
being had to his condition and prospects in life, the Probate Court
may decree the sale on terms which to it seem proper.
§ 21-148. Sale or exchange of real estate; proceedings
When a guardian or, in case of his refusal to act, a next friend,
deems that the interests of the ward will be promoted by a sale of his
freehold or leasehold estate in lands, for the purpose of reinvesting the
proceeds in other property or securities, or by an exchange of the
property for other property, he may file a verified petition in the court,
setting forth all the estate of the ward, real and personal, and all the
facts which, in his opinion, tend to show whether the ward's interest
will be promoted by the sale or exchange.
§21-149. Parties
The infant, together with those who would succeed to the estate if
he were dead, shall be made parties defendant in the proceeding pro-
vided by section 21-148; and the court shall appoint a fit and dis-
interested person to be guardian ad litem for the infant, who shall
answer the petition under oath. The infant also, if above the age of
14 years, shall answer the petition in proper person, under oath.
§21-150. Proof
Every fact material to determine the propriety of a sale or ex-
change shall be clearly proved, in a proceeding brought pursuant to
section 21-148, by disinterested witnesses, whose testimony shall be
taken in writing in the presence of the guardian ad litem or upon
interrogatories agreed upon by him.
§ 21-151. Decree of sale; costs
When, in a proceeding brought pursuant to section 21-148, the court
is satisfied from the evidence that the interests of the infant require a
sale or exchange, as prayed, and the rights of others will not be vio-
lated thereby, the sale or exchange may be decreed, and the costs of the
suit shall be paid out of the infant's estate; otherwise they shall be paid
by the complainant.
§21-152. Terms of sale; lien
A sale pursuant to a decree issued pursuant to section 21-151 may be
made upon such terms as to cash and credit as the court directs, and
a lien shall be retained on the property sold for the purchase money.
§21-153. Exchanges; appointment of trustees
I n decreeing an exchange of an infant's estate for other property,
pursuant to section 21-151, the court need not require equality or
sameness in the quantity or character of the estate or interest, and
the court may appoint trustees to execute the deeds necessary to
carry the exchange into effect.
§ 21-154. Ratification of sales by court
A sale of property of an infant is not effectual to pass title to the
property sold until it is reported to and ratified by the court.
§21-155. Sale or exchange of particular estate or remainder;
application of income
Where an infant is entitled to a particular estate, as for life or years,
and another person is entitled to an estate in remainder or reversion or
by way of executory devise in the same property, or the other person is
entitled to the particular estate and the infant is entitled in remainder
or reversion or executory devise, the court may decree a sale or exchange
as provided by sections 21-148 to 21-153, having reference solely to
the interests of the infant, if the other person so interested consents
to the sale or exchange and execute the conveyances necessary to carry
it into effect. The court shall direct the annual income from the fund
or property acquired by the sale or exchange to be applied according
to the interests of the respective parties.
§ 21-156. Lease of infant's estate
Where it appears to the court that it will be to the advantage of the
infant that his real estate be demised, the court shall decree
that it be demised for a term of years not to exceed the minority
of the infant, yielding such rents and on such terms and conditions as
the court directs. Where the infant is entitled to only a part of the
estate, the decree demising the estate shall be made only if all the
owners of the other interests assent.
§ 21-157. Mortgage of infant's estate
Where it appears to the court by proof that it would be
for the advantage of the infant to raise money by mortgage for
his maintenance or to improve his real property or to pay off charges,
liens, or incumbrances thereon, the court may, on the application
of the guardian or of the infant by next friend, decree a convey-

ance of the property, by mortgage or deed of trust, to be executed
by the guardian, on such terms as to the court seem expedient.
This section also applies where the infant holds jointly or in
common with other persons of full age or holds a portion of the estate,
as a particular estate, for life or years or in remainder or reversion, if
the other owners interested, all being of full age, consent to the
decree and unite in the mortgage or deed of trust.
§ 21-158. Final account
On arrival of a ward at the age of 21 years the guardian shall ex-
hibit a final account of his trust to the court, and shall, agreeably to
the court's order, deliver up to the ward all the property of the ward
in his hands and if he fails to do so, his bond may be sued upon in
the name of the United States for the use of the party interested, and
he may be attached.
Subchapter III—Indigent Boys

§ 21-181. Enlistment of indigent boys
The Probate Court may appoint guardians to indigent boys for the
purpose of securing their enlistment in the naval or marine service
of the United States, as provided by law, free of costs on account of
the proceeding.
§ 21-182. Preparation of guardianship papers
The Register of Wills shall prepare papers in connection with
appointment of guardians to enable indigent boys to enlist in the
United States Navy as provided by law, without making a charge
therefor.
District of CHAPTER 3—GIFTS TO MINORS—UNIFORM LAW
Columbia Uni- „
form Gifts to
Minors Act. 21-301. Definitions.
21-302. Gifts of securities, money, life insurance, or annuity contracts to minors;
manner of making.
21-303. Gift irrevocable; rights and duties of guardian or custodian.
21-304. Custodian to be one person; rights, powers, and duties of custodian.
21-305. Compensation of custodian or guardian; bond; liability of custodian
serving without compensation.
21-306. Exemption of third persons from liability.
21-307. Successor custodians; eligibility; rights, powers, and duties; manner of
resignation; removal.
21-308. Accounting by custodian or his legal representative.
21-309. Construction of chapter.
21-310. Short title.
21-311. Preservation of prior rights and liabilities ; construction with other laws.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "adult" means a person who has attained the age of twenty-one
years;
(2) "bank" meansra person or association of persons carrying on
the business of banking, whether incorporated or not, in the District
of Columbia;
(3) "broker" means a person who is lawfully engaged in the business
of effecting transactions in securities for the account of others; a
bank which effects such transactions; and one who is lawfully en-
gaged in buying and selling securities for his own account, through
a broker or otherwise, as a part of a regular business;
(4) "court" means the United States District Court for the District
of Columbia;
(5) "custodial property" means:

(A) securities, money, life insurance and annuity contracts
under the supervision of the same custodian for the same
minor as a consequence of gifts made to the minor in the manner
prescribed by this chapter;
(B) the income from the custodial property; and
(C) the proceeds, immediate and remote, from the sale, ex-
change, conversion, investment, reinvestment, or other disposition
of securities, money, life insurance and annuity contracts, and
income;
(6) "custodian" lAeans a person so designated in the manner pre-
scribed by this chapter;
(7) "guardian of a minor" means the general guardian, guardian,
tutor, or curator of the minor's property, estate, or person;
(8) "issuer" means a person who places or authorizes the placing of
his name, other than as a transfer agent, on a security to evidence
that it represents a share, participation or other interest in his prop-
erty or in an enterprise or to evidence his duty or undertaking to
perform an obligation evidenced by the security, or who becomes
responsible for or in place of such a person;
(9) "legal representative" means the executor, administrator, gen-
eral guardian, committee, conservator, tutor, or curator of a person's
property or estate;
(10) "life insurance and annuity contracts" include only insurance
and annuity contracts on the life of a minor or a member of the
minor's family as defined by clauses (11) and (12) ;
(11) "member of a minor's family" includes a minor's parent,
grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, and aunt, whether of the whole
Blood or the half blood, or by or through legal adoption;
(12) "minor" means a person who has not attained the age of 21
years;
(13) "security" means a note, stock, treasury stock, bond, deben-
ture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation
in an oil, gas, or mining title or lease or in payments out of produc-
tion under such a title or lease, collateral trust certificate transfer-
able, share, voting trust certificate, or, in general, an interest or
instrument commonly known as a security, or a certificate of interest
of participation in, a temporary or interim certificate, receipt, or cer-
tificate of deposit for, or a warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase,
any of the foregoing; "security" does not include a security of which
the donor is the issuer; a "security" is in "registered form" when
it specifies a person entitled to it or to the right it evidences and its
transfer may be registered upon books maintained for that purpose
by or on behalf of the issuer;
(14) "transfer agent" means one who acts as authenticating trus-
tee, transfer agent, registrar, or other agent for an issuer m the
registration of transfers of its securities or in the issue of new securi-
ties or in the cancellation of surrender securities;
(15) "trust company" means a bank authorized to exercise trust
powers.
§21--302. Gifts of securities, money, life insurance, or annuity
contracts to minors; manner of making
(a) A n adult may, during his lifetime, make a gift of a security,
money, life insurance or annuity contract to one who is a minor on the
date of the gift, if the subject of the gift is a security:
(1) in registered form, by registering it in the name of the
donor, another adult, or a trust company, followed, in substance,
by the words: "as custodian for [name oi minor] under the Dis-
trict of Columbia Uniform Gifts to Minors Act";
49-850 0-66—50
(2) not in registered form, by delivering it to an adult other

than the donor or a trust company, accompanied by a statement
of gift in the following form, in substance, signed by the donor
and the designated custodian:
G I F T UNDEK T H E D I S T E I C T OF COLUMBIA UNI-
FOKM G I F T S TO MINORS ACT
I, [name of donor], hereby deliver to [name of custodian]
as custodian for [name of minor] under the District of
Columbia Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, the following
security (ies) ; [insert an appropriate description of the se-
curity or securities delivered sufficient to identify it or them].
[Signature of donor]
Dated:
[Name of custodian] hereby acknowledges receipt of the
above described security (ies) as custodian for the above
minor under the above Act.
[Signature of custodian]
Dated:
(3) Where the subject of the gift is a life insurance or annuity
contract, the donor shall register the ownership of the contract
in his own name or in the name of an adult member of the minor's
family or in the name of a guardian of the minor, followed by the
words "as custodian for [name of minor] under the District of
Columbia Uniform Gifts to Minors Act", and the contract shall
be delivered to the person in whose name it is thus registered as
custodian. Where the contract is registered in the name of the
donor as custodian, the registration of itself constitutes the de-
livery required by this section.
(4) Where the subject of the gift is money, by paying or deliver-
ing it to a broker or a bank for credit to an account in the name of
the donor, another adult, or a bank with trust powers, followed, in
substance, by the words: "as custodian for [name of minor] under
the District of Columbia Uniform Gifts to Minors Act".
(b) A gift made in the manner prescribed by subsection (a) of this
section may be made to only one minor.
(c) A donor who makes a gift to a minor as prescribed by subsection
(a) of this section shall promptly do all things within his power to put
the subject of the gift in the possession and control of the custodian,
but neither the donor's failure to comply with this subsection, nor his
designation of an ineligible person as custodian, nor renunciation by
the person designated as custodian affects the consummation of the gift.
§21-303. Gift irrevocable; rights and duties of guardian or
custodian
(a) A gift made as prescribed by this chapter is irrevocable and
conveys to the minor indefeasibly vested legal title to the security,
money, life insurance or annuity contract given, but a guardian of
the minor does not have a right, power, duty, or authority with respect
to the custodial property, except as provided by this chapter.
(b) By making a gift in the manner prescribed by this chapter, the
donor incorporates in his gift all the provisions of this chapter and
grants to the custodian, and to any issuer, transfer agent, bank, broker,
insurance company, or third person dealing with a custodian, the re-
spective powers, rights, and immunities provided by this chapter.
79 STAT. ] PUBLIC LAW 89-18a-SEPT. 14, 1965 747
§ 21-304. Custodian to be one person; rights, powers, and duties

of custodian
(a) Only one person may be the custodian. He shall collect, hold,
manage, invest, and reinvest the custodial property.
(b) The custodian shall pay over to the minor for expenditure by
him, or expend for the minor's benefit, so much of or all the custodial
property as the custodian deems advisable for the support, mainte-
nance, education, and benefit of the minor in the manner, at the
times, and to the extent that the custodian in his discretion deems
proj)er, with or without court order, with or without regard to the duty
of himself or of any other person to support the minor or his ability
to do so, and with or without regard to any other income or property
of the minor which may be applicable or available for any such
purpose.
(c) The court, on the petition of a parent or guardian of the minor,
or of the minor if he has attained the age of 14 years, may order
the custodian to pay over to the minor for expenditure by him or to
expend so much of or all the custodial property as is necessary for
the minor's support, maintenance, or education.
(d) To the extent that the custodial property is not so expended,
the custodian shall:
(1) deliver or pay it over to the minor on his attaining the
age of 21 years; or
(2) if the minor dies before attaining that age, thereupon de-
liver or pay it over to the estate of the minor.
(e) A custodian, notwithstanding statutes restricting investments
by fiduciaries, may invest and reinvest the custodial property as would
a prudent person of discretion and intelligence who is seeking a rea-
sonable income and the preservation of capital, or he may, without
liability to the minor or his estate, retain a security given to the minor
in the manner prescribed by this chapter.
(f) A custodian may dispose of custodial property in the manner,
at the times, for the prices, and upon the terms he deems advisable. H e
may vote in person or by general or limited proxy a security which is
custodial property. He may consent, directly or through a committee
or other agent, to the reorganization, consolidation, merger, dissolution,
or liquidation of an issuer, a security which is custodial property, and
to the sale, lease, pledge, or mortgage of any property by or to the
issuer, and to any other action by the issuer. He may execute and
deliver all instruments in writing which he deems advisable to carry
out any of his powers as custodian.
(g) A custodian shall register each security which is custodial
property and in registered form in the name of the custodian, followed
in substance, by the words: "as custodian for [name of minor] under
the District of Columbia Uniform Gifts to Minors Act". H e shall
hold all money which is custodial property in an account with a broker
or in a bank in the name of the custodian, followed, in substance, by
the same words. H e shall keep all other custodial property separate
and distinct from his own property in a manner to identify it clearly
as custodial property.
(h) A custodian shall keep records of all transactions with re-
spect to the custodial property, and make them available for inspection
at reasonable intervals by a parent or legal representative of the minor
or by the minor, if he has attained the age of 14 years.
(i) A custodian has, as powers in trust, with respect to the custodial
property, in addition to the rights and powers provided by this chap-
ter, all the rights and powers which a guardian has with respect to
property not held as custodial property.
(j) Where the subject of the gift is a life insurance or annuity con-
tract, the custodian has all the incidents of ownership in the con-
tract which he may hold as custodian to the same extent as if he were
the owner thereof personally. The designated beneficiary of contract
held by a custodian shall be the minor or, in the event of his death,
the minor's estate.
§ 21-305. Compensation of custodian or guardian; bond; liability
of custodian serving without compensation
(a) A custodian is entitled to reasonable compensation for his
services and to reimbursement from the custodial property for his
reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of his duties, but
may act without compensation.
(b) Compensation for a guardian or custodian shall be according
to:
(1) any direction of the donor when the gift is made, where
it is not in excess of a statutory limitation of the District of
Columbia for guardians or custodians;
(2) any statute of the District of Columbia applicable to cus-
todians or guardians;
(3) any order of the court.
(c) A custodian may not be required to give a bond for the per-
formance of his duties.
(d) A custodian not compensated for his services is not liable
for losses to the custodial property unless they result from his bad
faith, intentional wrongdoing, or gross negligence, or from his failure
to maintain the standard of prudence in investing the custodial prop-
erty prescribed by this chapter.
§ 21-306. Exemption of third persons from liability
An issuer, transfer agent, bank, broker, insurance company, or
other person acting on the instructions of or otherwise dealing with
a person purporting to act as a donor or in the capacity of a cus-
todian is not responsible for determining whether the person desig-
nated by the purported donor or purporting to act as a custodian has
been duly designated or whether a purchase, sale, or transfer to or
by or other act of a person purporting to act in the capacity of cus-
todian is in accordance with or authorized by this chapter, and is not
obliged to inquire into the validity of propriety under this chapter of
an instrument or instructions executed or given by a person purporting
to act as a donor or in the capacity of a custodian, and is not bound
to see to the application by any person purporting to act in the capa-
city of a custodian of any money or other property paid or delivered
to him.
§21-307. Successor custodians; eligibility; rights, powers, and
duties; manner of resignation; removal
(a) Only an adult, a guardian of the minor, or a trust company
is eligible to become a successor custodian. A successor custodian has
all the rights, powers, duties, and immunities of a custodian desig-
nated in the manner prescribed by this chapter.
(b) A custodian, other than the donor, may resign and designate his
successor by:
(1) executing an instrument of resignation designating the suc-
cessor custodian; and
(2) causing each security which is custodial property and in
registered form and each life insurance or annuity contract to be
registered in the name of the successor custodian followed, in sub-
stance, by the words: "as custodian for [name of minor] under
the District of Columbia Uniform Gifts to Minors Act"; and
(3) delivering to the successor custodian the instrument of
resignation, each security registered in the name of the successor
custodian, each life insurance or annuity contract registered in
the name of the successor custodian, and all other custodial prop-
erty, together with any additional instruments required for the
transfer thereof.
(c) A custodian, whether or not a donor, may petition the court for
permission to resign and for the designation of a successor custodian.
(d) When the person designated as custodian is not eligible, re-
nounces or dies before the minor attains the age of 21 years, the guard-
ian of the minor shall be successor custodian. When the minor has
no guardian, a donor, his legal representative, the legal representative
of the custodian, an adult member of the minor's family, or the minor,
if he has attained the age of 14 years, may petition the court for the
designation of a successor custodian.
(e) A donor, the legal representative of a donor, an adult member
of the minor's family, a guardian of the minor, or the minor if he
has attained the age of 14 years, may petition the court that,
for cause shown in the petition, the custodian be removed and a suc-
cessor custodian be designated or, in the alternative, that the custodian
be required to give bond for the performance of his duties.
(f) Upon the filing of a petition as provided by this section, the
court shall grant an order, directed to those persons and returnable on
such notice as the court requires, to show cause why the relief prayed
for in the petition should not be granted and, in due course, grant
such relief as the court finds to be in the best interests of the minor.
§ 21-308. Accounting by custodian or his legal representative
(a) A minor, if he has attained the age of 14 years, or the legal
representative of a minor, an adult member of the minor's family,
or a donor or his legal representative, may petition the court for an
accounting by the custodian or his legal representative.
(b) The court, in a proceeding under this chapter or otherwise,
may require or permit the custodian or his legal representative to
account and, if the custodian is removed, shall so require and order
delivery of all custodial property to the successor custodian and the
execution of all instruments required for the transfer thereof.
§ 21-309. Construction of chapter
The method for making gifts to minors provided by this chapter is
not exclusive.
§21-310. Short title
This chapter may be cited as the "District of Columbia Uniform
Gifts to Minors Act".
§ 21-311. Preservation of prior rights and liabilities; construction
with other laws
This chapter does not affect rights and liabilities under the Act
approved August 3, 1956 (chapter 947, 70 Stat. 1028), existing on
December 31, 1962; nor does it supersede or modify the Internal
Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (Title 26, United States Code), ^SA stat. 3.
or the District of Columbia Income and Franchise Tax Act of 1947,
as amended (subchapter I I of chapter 15 of Title 47 of this Code). D^C^*^* ^^^47
1551 note.
CHAPTER 5—HOSPITALIZATION OF THE MENTALLY
ILL
S U B C H A P T E R I — D E F I N I T I O N S ; COMMISSION ON M E N T A L HEALTH
Sec.
21-502. Commission on Mental H e a l t h ; composition; appointment and terms of
m e m b e r s ; organization; c h a i r m a n ; salaries.
21-503. E x a m i n a t i o n s and h e a r i n g s ; s u b p e n a s ; w i t n e s s e s ; place.
SUBCHAPTER II—VOLUNTARY AND NONPROTE STING
HOSPITALIZATION
21-511. Voluntary hospitalization.
21-512. Release of voluntary patients.
21-513. Hospitalization of nonprotesting persons.
21-514. Release of p a t i e n t s hospitalized under section 21-513.
SUBCHAPTER III—EMERGENCY HOSPITALIZATION
21-521. Detention of persons believed to be mentally i l l ; t r a n s p o r t a t i o n and
application to hospital.
21-522. Examination and admission to h o s p i t a l ; notice.
21-523. Court order requirement for hospital detention beyond 48 h o u r s ; maxi-
mum period for observation.
21-524. Determination and order of court.
21-525. H e a r i n g by court.
21-526. Extension of maximum periods of time.
21-527. E x a m i n a t i o n and release of person ; notice.
21-528. Detention of person pending judicial proceedings.
S U B C H A P T E R I V — H O S P I T A L I Z A T I O N U N D E R COURT O R D E R
21-541. Petition to Commission; copy to person affected.
21-542. Hearing by Commission; presence and rights of person affected; hear-
ing regarding liability.
21-543. Representation by counsel; compensation ; recess.
21-544. Determinations of Commission; report to c o u r t ; copy to person
affected ; right to j u r y trial.
21-545. H e a r i n g and determination by court or j u r y ; o r d e r ; w i t n e s s e s ; j u r o r s .
21-546. Periodic requests for examination of hospitalized p a t i e n t ; procedure
for examination and detention or r e l e a s e ; petition to court.
21-547. Judicial determination of petition filed under section 21-546; o r d e r ;
physicians a s witnesses.
21-548. Periodic examinations by hospital authorities ; release.
21-549. Preservation of other rights to release.
21-550. Surety.
21-551. Nonresidents.
S U B C H A P T E R V — R I G H T TO COMMUNICATION; E X E R C I S E O F O T H E R
RIGHTS
21-561. Mail privileges; censored m a i l ; r e t u r n to sender ; visiting hours.
21-562. Medical and psychiatric care and t r e a t m e n t ; records.
21-563. Use of mechanical restraints ; record of use.
21-564. Exercise of property and other r i g h t s ; notice of inability; persons
hospitalized prior to September 15, 1964.
21-565. Statement of release and adjudication procedures and of other rights.
S U B C H A P T E R VI—MISCELLANEOUS P R O V I S I O N S
21-581. Proceedings instituted by Commissioners of the District of Columbia.
21-582. Petitions, applications, or certificates of physicians.
21-583. Physicians and psychiatrists a s witnesses.
21-584. Witness fees.
21-585. Confinement in jail prohibited.
21-586. Financial responsibility for care of hospitalized person; judicial
enforcement.
21-587. Veterans' Administration and military hospital facilities.
21-588. Forms.
21-589. Persons hospitalized prior to September 15, 1964.
21-590. Discharge as cured ; restoration to legal status.
21-591. Offenses and penalties.
Subchapter I—Definitions; Commission on Mental Health

As used in the chapter:
"administrator" means a person in charge of a public or private
hospital or his delegate I . . .
"chief of service means the physician charged with overall respon-
sibility for the professional program of care and treatment in the
particular administrative unit of the hospital to which the patient has
been admitted or such other member of the medical staff as the chief of
service designates;
"Commission" means the Commission on Mental Health;
"court" means the United States District Court for the District
of Columbia; j
"mental illness" means a psychosis or other disease which sub-
stantially impairs the mental health of a person;
"mentally ill person" means a person who has a mental illness, but
does not include a person committed to a private or public hospital
in the District of Columbia by order of the court in a criminal pro-
ceeding;
"physician" means a person licensed under the laws of the District
of Columbia to practice medicine, or a person who practices medicine
in the employment of the Government of the L'nited States or of the
District of Columbia;
"private hospital" means a nongovernmental hospital or institu-
tion, or part thereof, in the District of Columbia, equipped and
qualified to provide inpatient care and treatment for a person suffer-
ing from a physical or mental illness; and
"public hospital" means a hospital or institution, or part thereof,
in the District of Columbia, owned and operated by the Government
of the United States or of the District of Columbia, equipped and
Qualified to provide inpatient care and treatment for persons suffering
trom physical or mental illness.
§21-502. Commission on Mental Health; composition; appoint-
ment and terms of members; organization; chairman;
salaries
(a) The Commission on Mental Health is continued. The United
States District Court for the District of Columbia shall appoint
the members of the Commission, and the Commission shall be com-
posed of nine members. One member shall be a member of the bar
of the court, who has engaged in active practice of law in the District
of Columbia for a period of at least five years prior to his appoint-
ment. He shall be the Chairman of the Commission and act as the
administrative head of the Commission and its staff. H e shall preside
at all hearings and direct all of the proceedings before the Commis-
sion. H e shall devote his entire time to the work of the Commission.
Eight members of the Commission shall be physicians who have
been practicing medicine in the District of Columbia and who have
had not less than five years' experience in the diagnosis and treatment
of mental illnesses.
(b) Appointment of members of the Commission shall be for
terms of four years each, which shall be staggered as provided by
section 2 of the Act approved June 8, 1938 (chapter 326, 52 Stat. ^//stat. 953.
625), under which, except for the original four-year term of the 954.
lawyer-member, staggered terms of one year for two members, two
years for two members, three years for two members, and four years
for two members, were made.
(c) The physician-members of the Commission shall serve on a
part-time basis and shall be rotated by assignment of the Chief
Judê of the court, so that at any one time the Commission shall
consist of the Chairman and two physician-members. Physician-
members of the Commission may practice their profession during
their tenure of office, but may not participate in the disposition of
the case of a person in which they have rendered professional service
or advice.
(d) The court shall also appoint an alternate lawyer-member of
the Commission who shall have the same qualifications as the lawyer-
member of the Commission and who shall serve on a part-time basis
and act as Chairman in the absence of the permanent Chairman.
(e) The salaries of the members of the Commission and its em-
ployees shall be fixed in accordance with the provisions of the
"us'^c*'io^î^' Classification Act of 1949, as amended. The alternate Chairman
note. shall be paid on a per diem basis at the same rate of compensation
as fixed for the permanent Chairman.
§21-503. Examinations and hearings; subpenas; witnesses;
place
(a) The Commission shall examine alleged mentally ill persons,
inquire into their affairs and the affairs of persons who may be
legally liable for their support, and make reports and recommenda-
tions to the court.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the Commis-
sion may conduct its examinations and hearings either at the court-
house or elsewhere at its discretion. The court may issue subpenas
at the request of the Commission returnable before the Commission,
for the appearance of the alleged mentally ill person, witnesses, and
persons who may be liable for his support. The Commission, or any
of the members thereof, are competent and compellable witnesses
at any trial, hearing, or other proceeding conducted pursuant to this
chapter and the physician-patient privilege is not applicable.
Subchapter II—Voluntary and Nonprotesting Hospitalization

§ 21-511. Voluntary hospitalization
A person may apply to a public or private hospital in the District
of Columbia for admission to the hospital as a voluntary patient for
the purposes of observation, diagnosis, and care and treatment of a
mental illness. Upon the request of such a person 18 years of age
or over, or, in the case of a person under 18 years of age, of his spouse,
parent, or legal guardian, the administrator of the public hospital to
which application is made shall, if an examination by an admitting
psychiatrist reveals the need for hospitalization, or the administrator
of the private hospital to which application is made may, admit the
person as a voluntary patient to the hospital for the purposes de-
scribed by this section, in a<xordance with this chapter.
§ 21-512. Release of voluntary patients
(a) A voluntary patient admitted to a hospital pursuant to section
21-511 may, at any time, if he is 18 years of age or over, obtain his
release from the hospital by filing a written request with the chief
of service. Within a period of 48 hours after the receipt of the re-
quest, the chief of service shall release the patient making the request.
A voluntary patient under 18 years of age, so admitted, may, at any
time, obtain his release from the hospital in the same manner, upon
the written request of his spouse, parent, or legal guardian.
(b) When the chief of service determines that a voluntary patient
hospitalized pursuant to section 21-511 has recovered or that con-
tinued hospitalization of the patient is no longer beneficial to him, or
advisable, the chief of service may release him from the hospital.
§ 21-513. Hospitalization of nonprotesting persons
A friend or relative of a person believed to be suffering from a
mental illness may apply on behalf of that person to the admitting
psychiatrist of a hospital by presenting the person, together with a
referral from a practicing physician. F o r the purpose of examina-
tion and treatment, a private hospital may accept a person so pre-
sented and referred, and a public hospital shall accept a person so
presented and referred, if, in the judgment of the admitting psychia-
trist, the need for examination and treatment is indicated on the basis
of the person's mental condition and the person signs a statement at
the time of the admission stating that he does not object to hospitali-
zation. The statement shall contain in simple, nontechnical language
the fact that the person is to be hospitalized and a description of the
right to release set out in section 21-514. The admitting psychiatrist
may admit a person so presented, without referral from a practicing
physician, if the need for an immediate admission is apparent to the
admitting psychiatrist upon preliminary examination.
§ 21-514. Release of patients hospitalized under section 21-513
Unless proceedings for hospitalization under court order have been
initiated under subchapter I V of this chapter, a hospital, upon the
written request of a patient hospitalized pursuant to section 21-513,
shall immediately release him.
Subchapter III—Emergency Hospitalization

§ 21-521. Detention of persons believed to be mentally ill; trans-
portation and application to hospital
An accredited officer or agent of the Department of Public Health of
the District of Columbia, or an officer authorized to make arrests in
the District of Columbia, or the family physician of the person in
question, who has reason to believe that a person is mentally ill and,
because of the illness, is likely to injure himself or others if he is not
immediately detained may, without a warrant, take the person into
custody, transport him to a public or private hospital, and make ap-
plication for his admission thereto for purposes of emergency observa-
tion and diagnosis. The application shall reveal the circumstances
under which the person was taken into custody and the reasons there-
for.
§ 21-522. Examination and admission to hospital; notice
Subject to the provisions of section 21-523, the administrator of a
private hospital, may, and the administrator of a public hospital shall,
admit and detain for purposes of emergency observation and diagnosis
a person with respect to whom application is made under section 2 1 -
521, if the application is accompanied by a certificate of a psychiatrist
on duty at the hospital stating that he has examined the person and
is of the opinion that he has symptoms of a mental illness and, as a re-
sult thereof, is likely to injure himself or others unless he is immedi-
ately hospitalized. Not later than 24 hours after the admission pur-
suant to this subchapter of a person to a hospital, the administrator
of the hospital shall serve notice of the admission, by registered mail,
to the spouse, parent, or legal guardian of the person and to the Com-
mission on Mental Health.
§ 21-523. Court order requirement for hospital detention beyond
48 hours; maximum period for observation
A person admitted to a hospital under section 21-522 may not be de-
tained in the hospital for a period in excess of 48 hours from the
time of his admission, unless the administrator of the hospital has,
within that period, filed a written petition with the court for an order
authorizing the continued hospitalization of the person for emergency
observation and diagnosis for a period not to exceed 7 days from the
time the order is entered.
§ 21-524. Determination and order of court
(a) Within a period of 24 hours after the court receives a petition
for hospitalization of a person for emergency observation and diag-
nosis, filed by the administrator of a hospital pursuant to section
21-523, the court shall:
(1) order the hospitalization; or
(2) order the person's immediate release,
(b) The court, in making its determination under this section, shall
consider the written reports of the agent, officer, or physician who made
the application under section 21-522, the certificate of the examining
psychiatrist which accompanied it, and any other relevant information.
§21-525. Hearing by court
The court shall grant a hearing to. a person whose continued hos-
pitalization is ordered under section 21-524, if he requests the hearing.
The hearing shall be held within 24 hours after receipt of the request.
§ 21-526. Extension of maximum periods of time
If the maximum period of time prescribed by section 21-512,21-523,
21-524, or 21-525, during which an action or determination may or
shall be taken, expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the
period may be extended to not later than noon of the next succeeding
day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
§ 21-527. Examination and release of person; notice
The chief of service of a hospital in which a person is hospitalized
under a court order entered pursuant to section 21-524 shall, within 48
hours after the order is entered, have the person examined by a physi-
cian. If the physician, after his examination, certifies that m his
opinion the person is not mentally ill to the extent that he is likely to
injure himself or others if not presently detained, the person shall be
immediately released. The chief of service shall, within 48 hours after
the examination has been completed, send a copy of the results thereof
by certified or registered mail to the spouse, parents, attornej^, legal
guardian, or nearest known adult relative of the person examined.
§ 21-528. Detention of person pending judicial proceedings
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the admin-
istrator of a hospital in which a person is hospitalized under this sub-
chapter may, if judicial proceedings for his hospitalization have been
commenced under subchapter I V of this chapter, detain the person in
the hospital during the course of the judicial proceedings.
Subchapter IV—Hospitalization Under Court Order

§ 21-541. Petition to Commission; copy to person affected
(a) Proceedings for the judicial hospitalization of a person in the
District of Columbia may be commenced by the filing of a petition with
the Commission on Mental Health by his spouse, parent, or legal
guardian, by a physician, by a duly accredited officer or agent of the
Department of Public Health, or by an officer authorized to make
arrests in the District of Columbia. The petition shall be accom-
panied b y :
(1) a certificate of a physician stating that he has examined the
person and is of the opinion that the person is mentally ill, and be-
cause of the illness is likely to injure himself or other persons if
allowed to remain at liberty; or
(2) a sworn written statement by the petitioner t h a t :

(A) the petitioner has good reason to believe that the per-
son is mentally ill, and, because of the illness, is likely to in-
jure himself or other persons if allowed to remain at liberty;
and
(B) the person has refused to submit to examination by a
physician.
(b) Within three days after the Commission receives a petition
filed under subsection (a) of this section, the Commission shall send a
copy of the petition by registered mail to the person with respect to
whom it was filed.
§ 21-542. Hearing by Commission; presence and rights of person
aifected; hearing regarding liability
(a) The Commission shall promptly examine a person alleged to be
mentally ill after the filing of a petition under section 21-541 and
shall thereafter promptly hold a hearing on the issue of his mental
illness. The hearing shall be conducted in as informal a manner as
may be consistent with orderly procedure and in a physical setting not
likely to have a harmful effect on the mental health of the person named
in such petition. I n conducting the hearing, the Commission shall
hear testimony of any person whose testimony may be relevant and
shall receive all relevant evidence which may be offered. A person
with respect to whom a hearing is held under this section may, in his
discretion, be present at the hearing, to testify, and to present and
cross-examine witnesses.
(b) The Commission shall also hold a hearing in order to determine
liability under the provisions of section 21-586 for the expenses of
hospitalization of the alleged mentally ill person, if it is determined
that he is mentally ill and should be hospitalized as provided under
this chapter. The hearing may be conducted separately from the hear-
ing on the issue of mental illness. If conducted separately, it may be
conducted by the Chairman of the Commission alone.
§ 21-543. Representation by counsel; compensation; recess
The alleged mentally ill person shall be represented by counsel in
any proceeding before the Commission or the court, and if he fails or
refuses to obtain counsel, the court shall appoint counsel to represent
him. The counsel so appointed shall be awarded compensation by the
court for his services in an amount determined by it to be fair and
reasonable. The compensation shall be charged against the estate of
the individual for whom the counsel was appointed, or against any
unobligated funds of the Commission, as the court in its discretion
directs. The Commission or the court, as the case may be, shall, at the
request of the counsel so appointed, grant a recess in the proceeding
to give the counsel an opportunity to prepare his case. A recess may
not be granted for more than five days.
§21-544. Determinations of Commission; report to court; copy
to person affected; right to jury trial
If the Commission finds, after a hearing under section 21-542, that
the person with respect to whom the hearing was held is not mentally
ill or if mentally ill, is not mentally ill to the extent that he is likely
to injure himself or other persons if allowed to remain at liberty, the
Commission shall immediately order his release and notify the court
of that fact in writing. If the Commission finds, after the hearing,
that the person with respect to whom the hearing was held is mentally
ill, and because of the illness is likely to injure himself or other persons
if allowed to remain at liberty, the Commission shall promptly report
that fact, in writing, to the United States District Court for the Dis-
trict of Columbia. The report shall contain the Commission's find-
756 PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPT. 14, 1965 [79 STAT..
ings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations. A copy of the

report of the Commission shall be served personally on the alleged
mentally ill person and his attorney. An alleged mentally ill person
with respect to whom the report is made has the right to demand a
jury trial, and the Commission, orally and in writing, shall advise him
of this right.
§21-545. Hearing and determination by court or jury; order;
witnesses; jurors
(a) Upon the receipt by the court of a report referred to in section
21-544, the court shall promptly set the matter for hearing and shall
cause a written notice of the time and place of the final hearing to
be served personally upon the person with respect to whom the report
was made and his attorney, together with notice that he has five days
following the date on which he is so served within which to demand
a jury trial. The demand may be made by the person or by anyone
in his behalf. If a jury trial is demanded within the five-day period,
it shall be accorded by the court with all reasonable speed. If a
timely demand for jury trial is not made, the court shall determine
the person's mental condition on the basis of the report of the Com-
mission, or on such further evidence in addition to the report as the
court requires.
(b) If the court or jury, as the case may be, finds that the person
is not mentally ill, the court shall dismiss the petition and"order his
release. If the court or jury finds that the person is mentally ill and,
because of that illness, is likely to injure himself or other persons if
allowed to remain at liberty, the court may order his hospitalization
for an indeterminate period, or order any other alternative course
of treatment which the court believes will be in the best interests of
the person or of the public. The Commission, or a member thereof,
shall be competent and compellable witnesses at a hearing or jury
trial held pursuant to this chapter. The jury to be used in any case
where a jury trial is demanded under this chapter shall be impaneled,
upon order of the court, from the jurors in attendance upon other
branches of the court, who shall perform the services in addition to and
as part of their duties in the court.
§21-546. Periodic requests for examination of hospitalized
patient; procedure for examination and detention or
release; petition to court
(a) A patient hospitalized pursuant to a court order obtained under
section 21-545, or his attorney, legal guardian, spouse, parent, or other
nearest adult relative, may, upon the expiration of 90 days following
the order and not more frequently than every 6 months thereafter,
request, in writing, the chief of service of the hospital in which the
patient is hospitalized, to have a current examination of his mental
condition made by one or more physicians. If the request is timely
it shall be granted. The patient may, at his own expense, have a
duly qualified physician participate in the examination. In the case
of such a patient who is indigent, the Department of Public Health
shall, upon the written request of the patient, assist him in obtaining
a duly qualified physician to participate in the examination in the
atient's behalf. A physician so obtained by an indigent patient shall
E e compensated for his services out of any unobligated funds of De-
partment of Public Health in an amount determined by it to be fair
and reasonable. If the chief of service, after considering the reports
of the physicians conducting the examination, determines that the
patient is no longer mentally ill to the extent that he is likely to injure
himself or other persons if not hospitalized, the chief of service shall
order the immediate release of the patient. However, if the chief
of service, after considering the reports, determines that the patient

continues to be mentally ill to the extent that he is likely to injure
himself or other persons if not hospitalized, but one or more of the
physicians participating in the examination reports that the patient
is not mentally ill to that extent, the patient may petition the court
for an order directing his release. The petition shall be accompanied
by the reports of the physicians who conducted the examination of
the patient.
§21-547. Judicial determination of petition filed under section
21-546; order; physicians as witnesses
I n considering a petition filed under section 21-546, the court shall
consider the testimony of the physicians who participated in the exam-
ination of the patient, and the reports of the physicians accompanying
the petition. After considering the testimony and reports, the court
shall either (1) reject the petition and order the continued hospital-
ization of the patient, or (2) order the chief of service to immediately
release the patient. A physician participating in the examination
shall be a competent and compellable witness at any trial or hearing
held pursuant to this chapiter.
§21-548. Periodic examinations by hospital authorities; release
The chief of service of a public or private hospital shall, as often as
practicable, but not less often than every six months, examine or cause
to be examined each patient admitted to a hospital pursuant to this
subchapter and if he determines on the basis of the examination that
the conditions which justified the involuntary hospitalization of the
patient no longer exist, the chief of service shall immediately release
the patient.
§ 21-549. Preservation of other rights to release
Sections 21-546 to 21-548 do not prohibit a person from exercising
a right presently available to him for obtaining release from confine-
ment, including the right to petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
§21-550. Surety
The court in its discretion may require a petitioner under this sub-
chapter to file an undertaking with surety to be approved by the court
in such amount as the court deems proper, conditioned to save harm-
less the respondent by reason of costs incurred, including attorney's
fees, if any, and damages suffered by the respondent, as a result of any
action under this subchapter.
§21-551. Nonresidents
(a) If a person ordered committed to a public hospital by the court
pursuant to section 21-545 is found by the Commission, subject to a
review by the court, not to be a resident of the District of Columbia,
and to be a resident of another place, he shall be transferred to the
State of his residence if an appropriate institution of that State is
willing to accept him. If the person is an indigent, the expense of
transferring him, including the traveling expenses of necessary attend-
ants, shall be borne by the District of Columbia.
(b) For the purposes of this section, "resident of the District of thl'mstHc"* °/
Columbia" means a person who has maintained his principal place of coiumbi"." °
abode in the District of Columbia for more than one year immediately
prior to the filing of the petition referred to in subsection (a) of sec-
tion 21-541.
Subchapter V—Right to Communication; Exercise of Other

Rights
§21-561. Mail privileges; censored mail; return to sender;
visiting hours
(a) A person hospitalized in a public or private hospital pursuant
to this chapter may:
(1) communicate by sealed mail or otherwise with an individual
or official agency inside or outside the hospital; and
(2) receive uncensored mail from his attorney or personal
physician.
(b) AH incoming mail or communications other than mail or com-
munications referred to in subsection (a) of this section may be read
before being delivered to the patient, if the chief of service believes
the action is necessary for the medical welfare of the patient who is
the intended recipient. Mail or other communication which is not
delivered to the patient for whom it is intended shall be immediately
returned to the sender.
(c) This section does not prohibit the administrator from making
reasonable rules regarding visitation hours and the use of telephone
and telegraph facilities.
§ 21-562. Medical and psychiatric care and treatment; records
A person hospitalized in a public hospital for a mental illness shall,
during his hospitalization, be entitled to medical and psychiatric care
and treatment. The administrator of each public hospital shall keep
records detailing all medical and psychiatric care and treatment re-
ceived by a person hospitalized for a mental illness and the records
shall be made available, upon that person's written authorization, to
his attorne}^ or personal physician. The records shall be preserved
by the administrator until the person has been discharged from the
hospital.
§ 21-563. Use of mechanical restraints; record of use
A mechanical restraint may not be applied to a patient hospitalized
in a public or private hospital for a mental illness unless the use of
restraint is prescribed by a physician. If so prescribed, the restraint
shall be removed whenever the condition justifying its use no longer
exists. A use of a mechanical restraint, together with the reasons
therefor, shall be made a part of the medical record of the patient.
§21-564. Exercise of property and other rights; notice of in-
ability; persons hospitalized prior to September 15,
1964
(a) A patient hospitalized pursuant to this chapter may not, by
reason of the hospitalization, be denied the riarht to dispose of property,
execute instruments, make purchases, enter into contractual relation-
ships, vote, and hold a driver's license, unless the patient has been ad-
jumcated incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction and has
not been restored to legal capacity. If the chief of service of the public
or private hospital in which the patient is hospitalized is of the opinion
that the patient is unable to exercise any of the rights referred to in this
section, the chief of service shall immediately notify the patient and
the patient's attorney, legal guardian, spouse, parents, or other nearest
known adult relative, the United States District Court for the District
of Columbia, the Commission on Mental Health, and the Board of
Commissioners of the District of Columbia of that fact.
(b) A person in the District of Columbia who, by reason of a judi-
cial decree ordering his hospitalization entered prior to September 15,
1964, is considered to be mentally incompetent and is denied the right
to dispose of property, execute instruments, make purchases, enter into
contractual relationships, vote, or hold a driver's license solely by

reason of the decree, shall, upon the expiration of the one-year period
immediately following September 15, 1964, be deemed to have been
restored to legal capacity unless, within the one-year period, affirma-
tive action is commenced to have the person adjudicated mentally in-
competent by a court of competent jurisdiction: Provided^ however^
That in those cases in which a committee has heretofore been appointed
and the committeeship has not been terminated by court action, such
committee shall continue to act under the supervision of the United
States District Court for the District of Columbia under its equity
powers.
§21-565. Statement of release and adjudication procedures and
of other rights
Upon the admission of a person to a hospital under a provision of this
chapter, the administrator shall deliver to him, and to his spouse,
parents, or other nearest known adult relative, a written statement out-
lining in simple, nontechnical language all release procedures provided
by this chapter, setting out all rights accorded to patients by this
chapter, and describing procedures provided by law for adjudication
of incompetency and appointment of trustees or committees for the hos-
pitalized person.
Subchapter VI—Miscellaneous Provisions

§ 21-581. Proceedings instituted by Commissioners of the District
of Columbia
(a) Proceedings instituted by the Commissioners of the District of
Columbia to determine the mental condition of an alleged indigent
mentally ill person or a person alleged to be mentally ill, with homici-
dal or otherwise dangerous tendencies, shall be according to the pro-
visions of subchapter I V of this chapter.
(b) The jury in proceedings instituted upon the petition of the
Commissioners of the District of Columbia shall be impaneled by the
United States marshal for the District, upon order of the court, from
the jurors in attendance upon the District Court, who shall perform
the services in addition to and as part of their duties in the District
Court. When jurors are not in attendance upon the District Court the
court may direct the marshal to impanel the jurors in attendance upon
the Court of General Sessions, who shall perform the duties in addi-
tion to and as part of their duties in the Court of General Sessions, or
the court may direct a special jury to be summoned for the inquisition.
§ 21-582. Petitions, applications, or certificates of physicians
(a) A petition, application, or certificate authorized under section
21-521 and subsection (a) of section 21-541 may not be considered if
made by a physician who is related by blood or marriage to the alleged
mentally ill person, or who is financially interested in the hospital in
which the alleged mentally ill person is to be detained, or, except in
the case of physicians employed by the United States or the District
of Columbia, who are professionally or officially connected with the
hospital.
(b) A petition, application, or certificate of a physician may not
be considered unless it is based on personal observation and examina-
tion of the alleged mentally ill person made by the physician not
more than 72 hours prior to the making of the petition, application,
or certificate. The certificate shall set forth in detail the facts and
reasons on which the physician based his opinions and conclusions.
§ 21-583. Physicians and psychiatrists as witnesses

A physician or psychiatrist making application or conducting an
examination under this chapter is a competent and compellable witness
at any trial, hearing or other proceeding conducted pursuant to this
chapter and the physician-patient privilege is not applicable.
§ 21-584. Witness fees
Witnesses subpenaed under the provisions of this chapter shall
be paid the same fees and mileage as are paid to witnesses in the courts
of the United States.
§ 21-585. Confinement in jail prohibited
A person apprehended, detained, or hospitalized under any pro-
vision of this chapter may not be confined in jail or in a penal or
correctional institution.
§ 21-586. Financial responsibility for care of hospitalized persons;
judicial enforcement
(a) The father, mother, husband, wife, and adult children of a
mentally ill person, if of sufficient ability, and the estate of the men-
tally ill person, if the estate is sufficient for the purpose, shall pay the
cost to the District of Columbia of the mentally ill person's mainte-
nance, including treatment, in a hospital in which the person is hos-
pitalized under this chapter. The Commission on Mental Health
shall examine, under oath, the father, mother, husband, wife, and
adult children of an alleged mentally ill person whenever those rela-
tives live within the District of Columbia, and ascertain their ability
or the ability of the estate to maintain or contribute toward the main-
tenance of the mentally ill person. The relatives or estate may not be
required to pay more than the actual cost to the District of Columbia
of maintenance of the alleged mentally ill person.
(b) If a person made liable by subsection (a) of this section for
the maintenance of a mentally ill person fails so to provide or pay for
the maintenance, the court shall issue to him a citation to show cause
why he should not be adjudged to pay a portion or all of the expenses
of maintenance of the patient. The citation shall be served at least
10 days before the hearing thereon. If, upon the hearing, it appears
to the court that the mentally ill person has not sufficient estate out
•of which his maintenance may properly be fully met and that he has
relatives of the degree referred to in subsection (a) of this section who
are parties to the proceedings, and who are able to contribute thereto,
the court may make an order requiring payment by the relatives of
such sums as it finds that they are reasonably able to pay and as may
be necessary to provide for the maintenance and treatment of the
mentally ill person. The order shall require the payment of the sums
to the District of Columbia treasurer annually, semiannually, quar-
terly, or monthly as the court directs. The treasurer shall collect the
sums due under this section, and turn them into the Treasury of the
United States to the credit of the District of Columbia. The order
may be enforced against any property of the mentally ill person or
of the person liable or undertaking to maintain him in the same
way as if it were an order for temporary alimony in a divorce case.
§ 21-587. Veterans' Administration and military hospital facilities
This chapter does not require the admission of a person to a Veter-
ans' Administration or military hospital facility unless the person is
otherwise eligible for care and treatment in the facility.
§21-588. Forms
All applications and certificates for the hospitalization of a person
in the District of Columbia under this chapter shall be made on forms
approved by the Commission on Mental Health and furnished by it.
§ 21-589. Persons hospitalized prior to September 15,1964

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the provisions of
sections 21-546 to 21-551, subchapter V of this chapter and sections
21-585 and 21-588 apply to a person, who, on or after January 1,1966,
is a patient in a hospital in the District of Columbia by reason of
having been declared insane or of unsound mind pursuant to a court
order entered in a noncriminal proceeding prior to September 15,
1964.
(b) A request made by a patient referred to in subsection (a) of this
section for an examination authorized by section 21-546 may be made
on April 15, 1966, by the patient, or his attorney, legal guardian,
spouse, parent, or other nearest adult relative, and not more frequently
than every six months thereafter.
§ 21-590. Discharge as cured; restoration to legal status
When a person adjudged to be of unsound mind in the District of
Columbia who is committed to Saint Elizabeths Hospital, or any
other institution, recovers his reason, and is discharged from the in-
stitution as cured, the Superintendent of Saint Elizabeths Hospital, or
the official in charge of the institution where he has been under treat-
ment and has been so discharged, shall immediately file with the
clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
his sworn statement that, in his opinion, the person was not of un-
sound mind at the time of his discharge. The statement is sufficient
to authorize the court to order the person restored to his former legal
status as a person of sound mind.
§21-591. Offenses and penalties
Whoever:
(1) without probable cause for believing a person to be men-
tally i l l :
(A) causes or conspires with or assists another person to
cause the hospitalization, under this chapter, of the person
first referred t o ; or
(B) executes a petition, application, or certificate pursuant
to this chapter, by which he secures or attempts to secure the
apprehension, hospitalization, detention, or restraint of the
person first referred t o ;
or
(2) causes or conspires with or assists another person to cause
the denial to a person of a right accorded to him by this chapter;
or
(3) being a physician or psychiatrist, knowingly makes a false
certificate or application pursuant to this chapter as to the mental
condition of a person—
shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than three
years, or both.
CHAPTER 7—PROPERTY OF MENTALLY ILL PERSONS

Sec.
21-701. Definition.
21-702. Property subject to liens.
21-703. Property subject to executory contract.
21-704. Contract for sale by adult in behalf of himself and mentally ill person.
21-705. Ancillary guardian of nonresident mentally ill person.
21-706. Suits by ancillary guardian.
§21-701. Definition
As used in this chapter, "mentally ill person" has the same meaning
as that ariven to the term by section 21-501.
49-850 0-66—51
§ 21-702. Property subject to liens

Where a mentally ill person is entitled to real or personal estate in
the District of Columbia which is liable to a mortgage, trust, or lien,
or is in any way charged with the payment of money, the court may
decree in the case as if the mentally ill person were of sound mind.
§ 21-703. Property subject to executory contract
Where a mentally ill person:
(1) is entitled to real or personal estate in the District of Co-
lumbia bound by an executory contract entered into by the person
from whom he derived title; or
(2) claims a right or interest in property under such a con-
tract-—
the court in either case may decree the execution of the contract or
enter a proper decree, as if the parties were of sound mind.
§21-704. Contract for sale by adult in behalf of himself and
mentally ill person
When, upon a hearing and an examination of the circumstances,
the court considers a contract for the sale of real estate by persons
interested therein jointly or in common with a mentally ill person, to
be for the interest and advantage both of the mentally ill person, and
of the other persons interested therein, the court may confirm the
contract and order a deed to be executed according to it. Sales and
deeds made in pursuance of the order are sufficient in law to transfer
the estate and interest of the mentally ill person in the real estate.
§21-705. Ancillary guardian of nonresident mentally ill person
When a mentally ill person residing outside the District of Colum-
bia is entitled to property or to maintain an action in the District of
Columbia, a general guardian or committee of his estate, appointed by
a court of competent jurisdiction in the State or territory where the
mentally ill person resides, or a person at the request of the guardian
or committee, may petition the court for ancillary letters as guardian
or committee. The petition shall be under oath, accompanied by
certified copies of as much of the record and proceedings as shows
the apj)ointment of the guardian or committee and that he has given
a sufficient bond to account for all property and money that may
come into his hands by virtue of the authority conferred. The court
may thereupon issue to the guardian or committee ancillary letters
as such guardian or committee, without citation, or may cite such
persons as it believes proper to show cause why the application should
be refused; and the court shall require the security required by law in
like cases from a resident guardian or committee.
§ 21-706. Suits by ancillary guardian
(a) Upon the granting of ancillary letters, the guardian may insti-
tute and prosecute to judgment any action in the courts of the District
of Columbia, take possession of all property of his wardj and collect
and receive all moneys belonging and due to him therein, give full
receipt and acquittances for debts, and release all claims, liens, and
mortgages belonging to the ward, on property in the District of
Columbia, in the same manner as if his authority had been originally
conferred by the United States District Court for the District of
Columbia.
(b) The guardian shall give security for the costs which may accrue
in an action brought by him, in the same manner as other nonresidents
bringing suit in the courts of the Distridt.
CHAPTER 9—MENTALLY ILL PERSONS FOUND IN
CERTAIN FEDERAL RESERVATIONS
Sec.
21-901. Definition.
21-902. Commitments by special commissioners of certain district courts.
21-903. Apprehension by certain officials of persons believed to be mentally ill;
proceedings.
21-904. Admission upon written application; right of release.
21-905. Superintendent to receive persons committed or apprehended under sec-
tions 21-902 and 21-903.
21-906. Examinations; adjudications; laws applicable; expense of care and
treatment.
21-907. Transfer of military personnel.
21-908. Care in a Veterans' Administration facility.
21-909. Payment of expenses of transfers.
§ 21-90L Definition
As used in this chapter, "mentally ill person" has the same meaning
as that given to the term by section 21-501.
§21-902. Commitments by special commissioners of certain dis-
trict courts
(a) A United States commissioner specially designated by the
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or
by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland may
commit to Saint Elizabeths Hospital, for observation and diagnosis,
a person found in a place over which the United States has exclusive
or concurrent jurisdiction in Arlington County, Fairfax County, Lou-
doun County or the city of Alexandria, in the State of Virginia, or in
Montgomery County or Prince Georges County in the State of Mary-
land, who is alleged, and is believed by the commissioner, to be a
mentally ill person. A United States commissioner specially desig-
nated by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
has like jurisdiction and authority in the case of any person tempo-
rarily detained in Saint Elizabeths Hospital, pursuant to section
21-903.
(b) A commitment provided for by subsection (a) of this section
shall be for not more than 30 days and may be made only after a
hearing before the commissioner upon:
(1) the testimony under oath of at least two witnesses as to
their belief that the person is a mentally ill person; and
(2) the testimony under oath or affidavit of two physicians,
at least one of whom is skilled in the treatment and diagnosis of
nervous and mental disorders, that they have examined the alleged
mentally ill person and believe him to be a mentally ill person
and not fit to remain at liberty and go unrestrained, and that he
should be in custody in a hospital for the treatment of mental or
nervous disorders for his own safety and welfare and for the
preservation of the peace and good order.
(c) The head of the agency of the United States in control of the
place where a person is apprehended for a hearing pursuant to this
section shall forthwith notify the spouse or a near relative or friend
of the person so apprehended whose address is known to him or can by
reasonable inquiry be ascertained by him. I n the case of a person

described by section 21-907, the agency head shall notify the head of
the department having jurisdiction over the service to which the
person belongs.
(d) The agency of the United States in control of the place where
a person is apprehended for a hearing pursuant to this section may
employ physicians for the purpose and pay compensation for their
services and pay expenses of witnesses in the proceedings out of funds
available therefor. Physicians who are officers or employees of the
United States or who are members of the armed forces of the United
States may render the services without additional compensation.
§ 21-903. Apprehension by certain officials of persons believed to
be mentally ill; proceedings
(a) An officer or employee of the United States authorized to make
arrests, and a guard or watchman employed by the United States, may
apprehend and detain a person whom he believes to be a mentally ill
person and found in a place specified by section 21-902, and, except as
provided by section 21-904, bring the person for a hearing before a
United States commissioner for the district where the person was ap-
prehended, and designated as provided by section 21-902. When an
immediate hearing before a commissioner cannot be had, the officer
or employee may take the person to Saint Elizabeths Hospital. The
Superintendent of Saint Elizabeths Hospital may detain the person
pending a hearing before a United States commissioner for the District
of Columbia, designated as provided by section 21-902, for a period
not exceeding 72 hours.
(b) The United States commissioner specified by subsection (a) of
this section shall hold a hearing as promptly as practicable after the
apprehension of a person pursuant to that subsection and in any event
not later than 72 hours thereafter. The hearing shall be conducted at
Saint Elizabeths Hospital if the Superintendent of the hospital certi-
fies that in his opinion it would be prejudicial to the health of the
person or unsafe to produce him at a hearing elsewhere. If, after a
hearing at a place other than Saint Elizabeths Hospital, the commis-
sioner commits a person to Saint Elizabeths Hospital, an officer, em-
ployee, guard, or watchman specified by subsection (a) of this section
may transport the person to Saint Elizabeths Hospital in accordance
with the order of the commissioner.
§ 21-904. Admission upon written application j right of release
A person in a place specified by section 21-902 may, upon his
written application, be admitted for observation and diagnosis to
Saint Elizabeths Hospital in the discretion of the Superintendent
of the hospital for a period not exceeding 30 days. If, after admis-
sion to Saint Elizabeths Hospital, he expresses a desire for release
from the hospital, he shall be released within 72 hours thereafter,
unless proceedings for his adjudication as a mentally ill person have
been instituted as provided for by section 21-906.
§ 21-905. Superintendent to receive persons committed or appre-
hended under sections 21-902 and 21-903
The Superintendent of Saint Elizabeths Hospital shall receive for
observation and diagnosis a person apprehended or committed as
79 STAT. ] PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPT, 14, 1965 765
provided by sections 21-902 and 21-903 f^fr the periods therein pre-
scribed, unless the person is sooner discharged or returned to his home
or to the State of his residence.
§21-906. Examinations; adjudicationfs; laws applicable; expense
of care and treatment
(a) The Superintendent of Saint Elizabeths Hospital shall
promptly examine a person committed as provided by sections 21-902
and 21-903, and, if not found to be mentally ill, shall forthwith dis-
charge him, or, if found to be mentally ill, shall return him to the State
of his residence or to his relatives, if practicable.
(b) Proceedings for the adjudication of a person referred to by
subsection (a) of this section, or of a person admitted to the hospital
pursuant to section 21-904, as a mentally ill person, and for the ap-
pointment of a committee of his person or property, may be instituted
in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia by the
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare or by a party interested.
The laws of the District of Columbia apply to the proceedings. This
chapter does not impose upon the District of Columbia the expense
of care and treatment of a person apprehended, detained, or committed
under this chapter, unless the person is a resident of the District of
Columbia as defined by subsection (b) of section 21-551.
§21-907. Transfer of military personnel
A person belonging to the armed forces arrested, apprehended,
detained, or committed pursuant to this chapter shall, upon the request
of the head of the department having jurisdiction over the service to
which he belongs, be transferred forthwith to the custody of his
service.
§21-908. Care in a Veterans* Administration facility
(a) If a person adjudicated to be a mentally ill person under this
chapter is entitled to care and treatment in a Veterans' Administration
facility, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia
may commit him to the custody of the Administrator of Veterans'
Affairs for placement in an available facility, or the Superintendent of
Saint Elizaoeths Hospital may transfer him to such a facility.
(b) This chapter does not limit, restrict, or deprive the courts of a
State or the District of Columbia of jurisdiction to commit to the
Veterans' Administration a mentally ill person entitled to care and
treatment by the Veterans' Administration in accordance with the laws
of the State or the District of Columbia.
§21-909. Payment of expenses of transfers
The Superintendent of Saint Elizabeths Hospital may arrange for
and pay the expenses of the transfer of a person committed to his
custody pursuant to this chapter or admitted to the hospital pursuant
to section 21-904 to his relatives or to a hospital in the State of his
residence, and, in connection with the transfer, may pay the transpor-
tation and expenses of attendants necessary to insure safe travel.
CHAPTER 11—COMMITMENT A N D M A I N T E N A N C E OF
FEEBLE-MINDED P E R S O N S
Sec.
21-1102. Persons received in District Training School; age limit.
21-1103. Petition to District Court as to feeble-mindedness; contents; verifica-
tion ; notice; process.
21-1104. Summons; contents; answer not required; return day; service.
21-1105. Appointment and qualifications of physicians; examination; certifi-
cate.
21-1106. Warrant to take into custody; detention or temporary guardianship;
place of detention.
21-1107. Hearing; continuances; character of proofs; jury trial.
21-1108. Dismissal and discharge, or placement in District Training School;
controlling considerations.
21-1109. Private and public patients; bond for support and maintenance; suffi-
ciency and justification of sureties.
21-1110. Liability of estate of public patient for maintenance.
21-1111. Proceedings to charge relatives legally responsible for maintenance of
public patient; collection of maintenance payments; enforcement of
order; liability of decedent's estate.
21-1112. Public patients may become private patients by filing bond and paying
advance.
21-1113. Restriction on discharge; petition for discharge; causes for dis-
charge ; superintendent to be notified; notice of variation of order;
denial of one petition not a bar to another.
21-1114. Proceeding when child brought before juvenile court appears feeble-
minded.
21-1115. Inquiry under this chapter if person convicted of offense.
21-1116. Transfer to Saint Elizabeths Hospital when person becomes insane.
21-1117. Separate docket of feeble-minded cases; reports of commissions.
21-1118. Transfer of feeble-minded from National Training Schools for Boys or
Girls.
21-1119. Removal from school of nonresidents, of the District of Columbia.
21-1120. Paroles; conditions; expense; discretion of superintendent; violation;
return.
21-1121. Citation, order, or process on inmates to be served only by superin-
tendent.
21-1122. Approval of inmates' contracts, etc., by court.
21-1123. Offenses and penalties.
§ 21-1101. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
"District Training School" means the institution established
pursuant to section 32-601, and designated the "District Training
School" by section 32-602, or any successor to that institution;
"feeble-minded person" means a person afflicted vsîth mental de-
fectiveness from birth or from an early age, so pronounced that he
is incapable of managing himself and his affairs, or being taught
to do so, and who requires supervision, control, and care for his own
welfare, or for the welfare of others, or for the welfare of the com-
munity, and is not mentally ill to such an extent as to require his com-
mitment to Saint Elizabeths Hospital, as provided by chapter 5 of this
title or other laws with respect to the commitment and custody of men-
tally ill persons.
§ 21-1102. Persons received in District Training School; age limit
Subject to such regulations as the Department of Public Welfare
adopts, and pursuant to this chapter and chapter 6 of Title 32, feeble-
minded persons of not more than 45 years of age at the time of commit-
ment shall be received into the District Training School.
§ 21-1103. Petition of District Court as to f eeble-mindedness; con-
tents; verification; notice; process
(a) When a person who is a resident of the District of Columbia
is supposed to be feeble-minded, his guardian, or a relative, or a
reputaole citizen of the District of Columbia may file with the clerk
of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia a

petition, in writing, setting forth:
(1) that the person named in the petition is feeble-minded;
(2) such other facts as are necessary to bring the person within
the purview of this chapter;
(3) the name and address of any person actually supervising,
caring for, or supporting the person, or that the name and address
thereof are unknown to the petitioner;
(4) the name and address of any person legally chargeable
with the supervision, care, or support of the person, or that the
name and address thereof are unknown to the petitioner;
(5) the names and addresses of the parents or guardians, or
that they are unknown to the petitioner; and
(6) whether or not the person has been examined by a qualified
physician having personal knowledge of his condition.
The petition shall be verified by affidavit, which is sufficient if it
states that it is based upon information and belief.
(b) On a petition filed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section,
there shall be indorsed the names and addresses of witnesses known
to the petitioner, by whom the truth of the allegations of the petition
may be proved, as well as the name and address of a qualified physi-
cian, if any is known to the petitioner, having personal knowledge of
the case.
(c) Persons named in a petition filed pursuant to this section or
whose names are endorsed thereon shall be notified of the proceedings
by summons issued by the clerk of the court. Process shall be issued
against those persons mentioned in the petition whose names are un-
known to the petitioner, by the designation "To all whom it may con-
cern", and the designation and notice are sufficient to authorize the
court to hear and determine the proceedings as though the parties had
been summoned by their proper names.
§21-1104. Summons; contents; answer not required; return day;
service
The summons prescribed by section 21-1103 shall require all persons
upon whom it is served to appear personally at the time and place stated
therein and to bring into court the alleged feeble-minded person. A
written answer to the petition is not required, but the cause shall stand
for hearing upon the petition on the return day of the summons. The
summons shall be made returnable at any time within 20 days after
the date thereof. Service of process upon any of the persons named in
the petition or whose names are endorsed thereon is not necessary if
they appear or are brought before the court personally without service
of summons. The summons may be served by any officer authorized by
law to serve processes of the District Court of the United States for
the District of Columbia.
§ 21-1105. Appointment and qualifications of physicians; examina-
tion ; certificate
Pursuant to the filing of a petition under section 21-1103, the court
shall appoint two physicians, at least one of whom is skilled in the diag-
nosis and treatment of mental diseases, to make an examination of the
alleged feeble-minded person to determine his mental and physical
condition. Their certificate shall be filed with the court on or before
the hearing on the petition. The persons so appointed may make such
personal examination of him as will enable them to offer an opinion
as to his physical and mental condition. A certificate may not be
made by them until after the examination.
§ 21-1106. Warrant to take into custody; detention or temporary

guardianship; place of detention
Pursuant to the filing of a petition under section 21-1103, or upon
motion at any time thereafter, where it is made to appear to the court
by evidence given under oath that it is for the best interest of the
alleged feeble-minded person or of other persons or of the community
that he be at once taken into custody, or that the service of summons
will be ineffectual to secure his presence, a warrant may issue on the
order of the court directing that he be taken into custody and brought
before the court forthwith or at such time and place as the court
appoints. Pending the hearing of the petition, the court may order
the detention of the alleged feeble-minded person, or the placing of
him under temporary guardianship of a suitable person, on the latter
person's entering into a recognizance for his appearance, as the court
deems proper. Pending the hearing of the petition, the alleged feeble-
minded person may not be detained in a place provided for the deten-
tion of persons charged with or convicted of a criminal or quasi-
criminal offense.
§ 21-1107. Hearing; continuances; character of proofs; jury trial
After the filing of a petition under section 21-1103 and pending the
final disposition of the case, the court may continue the hearing from
time to time. The court shall take proofs as to the financial circum-
stances of the alleged feeble-minded persons and of his relatives legally
liable for his support, and as to the alleged condition of the person and
his personal and family history, and shall fully investigate the facts
before making an order. When a jury is not required, the court shall
determine the question of whether the person is feeble-minded. If the
court deems it necessary, or if the alleged feeble-minded person or a
relative or a person with whom he resides so demands, a jury shall be
summoned to determine the question of whether the person is feeble-
minded. The jury shall be selected from the jurors in attendance
upon the court or a special jury may be summoned to determine the
question.
§ 21-1108. Dismissal and discharge, or placement in District Train-
ing School; controlling considerations
Where, at a hearing under section 21-1107, the court or the jury finds
that the alleged feeble-minded person is not feeble-minded as defined
by this chapter, the court shall order the petition dismissed and the
person discharged. Where the court or the jury finds that the alleged
feeble-minded person is feeble-minded and subject to be dealt with
under this chapter, have regard to all the circumstances appearing
at the hearing, the controlling factor throughout the proceedings being
the welfare of the persons of the community, the court shall enter
a decree directing that the feeble-minded person be placed in the Dis-
trict Training School. The decree so entered is binding upon all
persons whom it may concern until rescinded or otherwise superseded
or set aside.
§ 21-1109. Private and public patients; bond for support and main-
tenance ; sufficiency and justification of sureties
(a) If, at the time of or before the making of an order for placement
in the District Training School pursuant to section 21-1108, a bond
in the penal sum of $1,000, executed by a surety company authorized
to do business in the District of Columbia, or by two or more sureties
to be approved by the court, running to the United States and con-
ditioned for the payment of the support and maintenance of the per-
son in the manner prescribed by law, is delivered to the court, together
with the sum of $50 as an advance payment toward the support of
the patient, the court shall order the admission of the person as a
private patient. If the bond and advance payment are not given,
the court shall order the admission of the person as a public patient.
The bond and advance payment, together with the order of admission
and bond, shall be transmitted by the clerk of the court to the Superin-
tendent of the District Training School. Until the bond and advance
payment are delivered to the Superintendent, he shall admit the person
to the institution only as a public patient.
(b) A t the request of the Superintendent of the District Training
School, the court shall require the sureties on the bond provided by
subsection (a) of this section to justify their responsibility anew or
order that a new bond be given in place of the original. The justi-
fication or new bond shall be transmitted to the superintendent. Un-
less it is delivered to the Superintendent within 30 days, the patient
shall from the time of the request be regarded as a public patient.
§21-1110. Liability of estate of public patient for maintenance
When the court orders the admission of a person to the District
Training School as a public patient, and it appears then or there-
after that the patient has an estate out of which the Government may
be reimbursed for his maintenance, in whole or in part, the court shall
order the payment out of the estate of the whole or such part of the
cost of maintenance of the patient at the institution as it deems just,
regard being had for the needs of those having a legal right to support
out of the estate. The order shall remain in full force and effect unless
modified by the court. Upon the death of the feeble-minded person
while an inmate at the institution, or wdthin five years after his dis-
charge therefrom, his estate is liable to the District of Columbia
for the cost of his maintenance at the institution, and the claim of the
District of Columbia is a preferred claim.
§ 21-1111. Proceedings to charge relatives legally responsible for
maintenance of public patient; collection of mainte-
nance payments; enforcement of order; liability of
decedent's estate
(a) When a court orders the admission of a person to the District
Training School as a public patient and finds at any time that the
patient does not have an estate out of which the District of Columbia
may be fully reimbursed for his maintenance, a parent, spouse, and
adult children of the feeble-minded person, if or sufficient financial
ability, shall pay the cost to the District of Columbia of his mainte-
nance at the institution. The Commissioners of the District of Colum-
bia may petition the court, during the commitment of the feeble-
minded person to the institution, to direct any of those relatives to pay
the District of Columbia, in whole or in part, for his maintenance at
the institution. They may not be required to pay more than the actual
cost to the District of Columbia of his maintenance.
(b) When the court finds that a relative specified by subsection (a)
of this section is able to pay for the maintenance of tlie feeble-minded
person, in whole or in part, it may make an order requiring payment
by him or all the relatives of such sums as it finds that he or they are
reasonably able to pay and as may be necessary to provide for his
maintenance. The order shall require the payment of the sums to the
Finance Office of the Department of General Administration, or its
successor, or its authorized representative or agency, of the District
of Columbia, annually, semiannually, quarterly, or monthly, as the
court directs. The Finance Office, or its successor, or its authorized
representative or agency, as the case may be, shall collect the sums due
under this section and section 21-1110, and turn them into the Treasury
of the United States to the credit of the District of Columbia.
(c) If a relative made liable for the maintenance of the feeble-
minded person fails to provide or pay for the maintenance, or his
part thereof, in accordance with the order of the court, the court shall
issue to him a citation to show cause why he should not be adjudged
in contempt. The citation shall be served at least 10 days before the
hearing thereon.
(d) An order issued under this session may be enforced against
any property of a relative made liable for the maintenance of the
feeble-minded person, in the same way as if it were an order for
temporary alimony in a divorce case.
(e) Upon the death of a relative ordered by the court to pay for
the maintenance of the feeble-minded person in whole or in part, the
estate of the relative is liable to the District of Columbia for the un-
paid amount due the District of Columbia under the order of court
at the time of his death, and the claim of the District of Columbia is a
preferred claim against his estate.
§21-1112. Public patients may become private patients by filing
bond and paying advance
When a person is admitted to the District Training School as a
public patient, and thereafter the bond and advance payment referred
to in section 21-1109 are executed and delivered to the court, the court
shall make an order changing the status of the person from a public
to a private patient.
§ 21-1113. Restrictions on discharge; petition for discharge;
causes for discharge; superintendent to be notified;
notice of variation of order; denial on one petition
not a bar to another
(a) A feeble-minded person admitted to the District Training
School pursuant to an order of court may not be discharged therefrom
except as provided by this section, but the right of petition for the
writ of habeas corpus may not be abridged.
(b) After the admission of a feeble-minded person pursuant to an
order of court provided by this chapter, a relative or friend of the
feeble-minded person, or a reputable citizen, or the superintendent of
the institution, or the Department of Public Welfare, may petition the
court that entered the order of admission to discharge the feeble-
minded person, or to vary the order of the court admitting him to the
institution.
(c) When, on the hearing of a petition filed pursuant to subsection
(b) of this section, the court is satisfied that the welfare of the feeble-
minded person or of other persons or of the community requires his
discharge or a variation of the order, it may enter an order of dis-
charge or variation as it deems proper.
(d) Discharges and variations of orders may be ordered or made
if:
(1) the person adjudged to be feeble-minded is not feeble-
minded; or ,
(2) the person has so far improved as to be capable of caring
for himself; or
(3) the relatives or friends of the feeble-minded person are
able and willing to supervise, control, care for, and support him,
and request his discharge, and, in the j u d ^ e n t of the Superin-
tendent of the District Training School, evil consequences are not
likely to follow the discharge.
(e) The enumeration of grounds of discharge or variation by sub-
section (d) of this section does not exclude other grounds of discharge
or variation which the court deems adequate, having regard for
the welfare of the person concerned or of other persons or of the
community.
(f) On a petition for discharge or variation filed pursuant to this

section, the court may discharge the feeble-minded person from all
supervision, control, and care, or make such variation of the order as
to maintenance as the court deems fit under all the circumstances
appearing at the hearing of the petition.
(g) The Superintendent of the District Training School shall be
notified of the time and place of hearing on a petition for discharge
or variation filed pursuant to this section, as the court directs, and
an order of discharge or variation may not be entered without giving
the Superintendent a reasonable opportunity to be heard. The court
may notify such other persons, relatives, and friends of the feeble-
minded person as it deems proper, of the time and place of the hearing
on the petition.
(h) A person may not be charged with any greater degree of finan-
cial responsibility for the support of a feeole-minded person by
variation of the order as to maintenance without notice and a reason-
able opportunity to be heard.
(i) The denial of one petition for discharge or variation is not a
bar to another petition on the same or different ground filed within
a reasonable time thereafter, the reasonable time to be determined by
the court in its discretion, discouraging frequent, repeated, frivolous,
ill-founded petitions for discharge or variation of a prior order.
§21-1114. Proceeding when child brought before juvenile court
appears feeble-minded
When a child is brought before the juvenile court of the District of
Columbia as a dependent or delinquent child, and it appears to the
court, on the testimony of a physician or psychologist or other evi-
dence, that the child is feeble-minded within the meaning of this chap-
ter, the court may adjourn the proceedings and direct a suitable officer
of the court or other suitable reputable person to file a petition under
this chapter. The court may order that, pending the preparation,
filing, and hearing of the petition, the child be detained in a place of
safety, or be placed under the guardianship of a suitable person, if
that person enters into a recognizance for his appearance.
§21-1115. Inquiry under this chapter if person convicted of
offense
(a) On the conviction by a court of record of competent jurisdic-
tion of a person of an offense, or of a violation of an ordinance which
is in whole or in part a violation of a statute of the District of Colum-
bia, the court w^hen satisfied on the testimony of a physician or a psy-
chologist or other evidence that the person is feeble-minded within the
meaning of this chapter, may suspend sentence, or suspend the entering
of an order sending the person to a jail, prison, or reformatory, or to a
training or industrial school, and direct that a petition be filed pur-
suant to this chapter.
(b) When the court directs a petition to be filed pursuant to sub-
section (a) of this section, it may order that, pending the preparation,
filing and hearing of the petition, the person be detained in a place of
safety, or be placed under the guardianship of a suitable person, if
that person enters into a recognizance for his appearance.
(c) Where, upon the hearing of a petition filed pursuant to this
section or pursuant to a subsequent hearing under this chapter, the
person is found not to be feeble-minded, the court shall impose sentence,
§21-1116. Transfer to Saint Elizabeths Hospital when person
becomes insane
When a person becomes insane while confined in the District Train-
ing School and the Superintendent of the institution certifies in writing
that the person is insane and is not a fit subject for care and main-
tenance at the institution^ the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia shall issue an order for his admission to Saint
Elizabeths Hospital. The transfer does not affect the liability on a
bond for private support, or an order for reimbursement for public
support. All bonds and orders for reimbursement are liable and in
force for the cost of maintenance at Saint Elizabeths Hospital.
§21-1117, Separate docket of feeble-minded cases; reports of
commissions
The court shall keep a separate docket of proceedings in feeble-
mindedness, upon which shall be made such entries as will, together
with the papers filed, preserve a complete record of each case, the orig-
inal petitions, writs, and returns made thereto. The reports of com-
missions shall be filed with the clerk of the court.
§21-1118. Transfer of feeble-minded from National Training
Schools for Boys or Girls
When the Superintendent of the National Training School for Boys
or of the National Training School for Girls certifies to the court
that in his opinion an inmate thereof is feeble-minded, the court
shall permit him or any other reputable citizen of the District of
Columbia to file a petition as provided by section 21-1103. If the
inmate is found and adjudged to be feeble-minded, the court shall
immediately issue an order for his admission as a public patient to the
District Training School.
§21-1119. Removal from school of nonresidents of the District
of Columbia
The Department of Public Welfare shall cause a person who has
been admitted to the District Training School, but who has not acquired
a legal residence in the District, to be removed as soon as possible to
the State in which he belongs.
§21-1120. Paroles; conditions; expense; discretion of superin-
tendent; violation; return
Under general conditions prescribed by the Department of Public
Welfare, the Superintendent of the District Training School may
grant paroles to patients in the institution where the conditions in the
homes in which they are to reside are satisfactory and where the
paroles are deemed by the Superintendent as not injurious to the
interests of the patients or the public. The expense of the vacation
shall be borne by the guardian, relatives, or other persons responsible
for the care of the patient while on the vacation. The Superintendent
may grant a parole for an indefinite period to a patient who has im-
proved sufficiently to warrant the opportunity and when satisfactory
supervision for the patient while on the leave is assured. If the condi-
tions of a parole granted under this chapter are violated, the patient
may be taken up and returned as an escaped patient.
§ 21-1121. Citation, order, or process on inmates to be served only
by superintendent
Only the Superintendent of the District Training School, or a
person designated in writing by him, may serve a citation, order, or
process required by law to be served on an inmate of the institution.
Return thereof to the court from which it issued may be made by
the Superintendent. The service and return have the same force and
effect as if it had been made by the United States marshal of the
District of Columbia, or his deputy, or by the sheriff of the county

in which the institution is located.
§ 21-1122. Approval of inmates' contracts, etc., by court
A public or private patient in the District Training School may not
be allowed to execute a contract, deed, will, or other instrument unless
the execution has first been allowed and approved by an order entered
of record by the United States District Court for the District of
Columbia. A certified copy of the order shall be furnished to the
Superintendent of the institution at the time of the execution of the
instrument.
The order of the court is evidence only of the capacity of the patient
to make the instrument.
§21-1123. Offenses and penalties
Whoever:
(1) knowingly contrives, or conspires to have a person ad-
judged feeble-minded under the provisions of this chapter, un-
lawfully and improperly; or
(2) violates a provisions of this chapter—
shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one
year, or both.
CHAPTER 13—ALCOHOLICS A N D DRUG ADDICTS
Sec.
21-1301. Appointment of committee.
21-1302. Bond ; powers and duties.
21-1303. Jurisdiction of court over property.
21-1304. Discharge.
§21-1301. Appointment of committee
When a person residing in the District of Columbia, and owning
an estate, real or personal, situate therein, is alleged to be unfit, from
the habitual use of intoxicating liquors, opium, cocaine, or similar
substance, or compound or derivative thereof, to manage or control
his estate properly, the United States District Court for the District
of Columbia, on the petition of a creditor or relative of the person,
or if there is not a creditor or relative, upon the petition of a person
living in the District of Columbia, and upon summons being served
upon the person alleged to be unfit, commanding him to appear and
answer the petition, may order a jury to be summoned to ascertain
whether the person is an alcoholic or addicted to the habitual use of
opium, cocaine, or similar substance or compound or derivative thereof
and unfit from any of these causes to manage and control his property.
If the jury finds that the person is an alcoholic or a habitual user of
opium, cocaine, or similar substance or a compound or derivative
thereof and unjfit to manage or control his property, the finding, when
confirmed by the court, shall be entered of record in the cause, and the
court shall thereupon appoint a fit person to be committee of the person
so declared unfit to manage or control his property.
§21-1302. Bond; powers and duties
The committee before entering upon the discharge of his duties shall
execute a bond, with surety, to be approved by the court or a judge
thereof, to the United States in a penalty equal to the amount of
the personal property and the yearly rents to be derived from the real
estate of the person, conditioned for the faithful performance of his
duties as the committee. He shall have control of the estate, real and
personal, with power to collect all debts due the alcoholic or drug
addict, and to adjust and settle all accounts owing by him, and to sue
and be sued in his representative capacity. H e shall apply the annual
income of the estate to the support of the person, and the maintenance
of his family and education of his children; and shall in all other
respects perform the same duties and have the same rights as pertain
to committees of lunatics and idiots.
§ 21-1303. Jurisdiction of court over property
The court has the same powers as to the property of a person
for whom a committee has been appointed pursuant to this chapter
as it has in respect of the property of infants.
§21-1304. Discharge
When a person for whom a committee has been appointed under
this chapter becomes competent to manage his property on account
of reformation in his habits, he may apply to the court to have the
committee discharged and the care and control of his property restored
to him. When it appears by the verdict of a jury summoned there-
for, or by affidavits, or other evidence to the satisfaction of the court,
that the applicant is a fit person to have the care or control of his
property, it shall enter an order restoring him to all the rights and
privileges enjoyed before the committee was appointed.
CHAPTER 15—CONSERVATORS
Sec.
21-1501. Apiwintment of conservators.
21-1502. Filing of petition; requirements; time and place of hearing; appoint-
ment of guaxdian ad litem.
21-1503. Bond ; powers and duties.
21-1504. Discharge.
21-1505. Appointment of temporary conservator.
21-1506. Personal welfare of person under conservatorship.
21-1507. Lis pendens.
§21-1501. Appointment of conservators
When an adult residing in or having property in the District of
Columbia is unable, by reason of advanced age, mental weakness not
amounting to unsoundness of mind, mental illness, as the latter term
is defined by section 21-501, or physical incapacity, properly to care
for his property, the United States District Court for the District of
Columbia may, upon his petition or the sworn petition of one or more
of his relatives or any other person or persons, appoint a fit person to
be conservator of his property.
§21-1502. Filing of petition; requirements; time and place of
hearing; appointment of guardian ad litem
(a) Pursuant to the filing of the petition under section 21-1501, the
court shall fix a time and place for a hearing; and shall cause at least
14 days' notice thereof to be given to the person for whom a conserva-
tor is sought to be appointed, if he is not the petitioner, and to such
other persons as the court directs. The petition shall include, among
other things—
(1) the reasons for the appointment of a conservator;
(2) the name and address of the person for whom the conserva-
tor is sought;
(3) the date and place of his birth, if known; and
(4) the names and addresses of the nearest known heirs at law,
or the next of kin, if any.
(b) The court may appoint a disinterested person to act as guard-

ian ad litem in a proceedmg under this section. Upon a finding that
the person for whom the conservator is sought is incapable of caring
for his property, the court shall appoint a conservator who shall have
the charge and management of the property of the person subject to
the direction of the court.
§21-1503. Bond; powers and duties
The conservator before entering upon the discharge of his duties
shall execute an undertaking with surety to be approved by the court
in such amount as the court orders, conditioned on the faithful per-
formance of his duties as conservator. H e shall have control of the
estate, real and personal, of the person for whom he has been appointed
conservator, with power to collect all debts due the person, and upon
authority of the court to adjust and settle all accounts owing by him,
and to sue and be sued in his representative capacity. H e shall apply
such part of the annual income and of the principal of the estate as the
court authorizes to the support of the person and the maintenance and
education of his family and children; and shall in all other respects
perform the same duties and have the same rights and powers with
respect to the property of the person as have guardians of the estates
of infants.
§21-1504. Discharge
When a person for whom a conservator has been appointed under
this chapter becomes competent to manage his property, he may apply
to the court to have the conservator discharged and to be restored to
the care and control of his property. If the court finds him to be
competent, it shall enter an order restoring the care and control of
his property to him. The court has the same powers with respect to
the property of a person for whom a conservator has been appointed
as it has with the respect to the property of infants under guardian-
ships.
§ 21-1505. Appointment of temporary conservator
Upon the filing of a petition as provided by this chapter, the court
may, with or without notice or hearing, appoint a temporary conserva-
tor of the estate of a person, if it deems the action necessary for the
protection of the estate, subject to the provisions for an undertaking
specified by section 21-1503. The temporary conservator shall serve
only until a permanent conservator can be appointed or until sooner
discharged.
§ 21-1506. Personal welfare of person under conservatorship
The court may at smy time order that the conservator or another
person shall be responsible for the personal welfare of the person
whose property is under conservatorship. In that event the conserva-
tor or other person, subject to the direction and control of the Civil
Division of the court, has the same powers and duties with respect to
the personal welfare of the person whose property is under conserva-
torship as have the guardians of the persons or infants under
guardianships.
§ 21-1507. Lis pendens
Upon the filing of a petition under this chapter, a certified copy
of the petition may be filed for record in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of the District of Columbia. If a conservator is appointed
on the petition, all contracts, except for necessaries, and all transfers
of real and personal property made by the ward after the filing and
before the termination of the conservatorship are void.
Uniform Fidu- CHAPTER 17—UNIFORM FIDUCIARIES ACT
c l a r i e s Act. g „
21-1702. Application of payment made to fiduciaries.
21-1703. Transfer of negotiable instruments by fiduciary.
21-1704. Check drawn by fiduciary payable to third person.
21-1705. Check drawn by and payable to fiduciary.
21-1706. Deposit in name of fiduciary as such.
21-1707. Deposit in name of principal; check drawn thereon by fiduciary; check
payable to drawee bank.
21-1708. Deposit in fiduciary's personal account.
21-1709. Deposit in names of two or more trustees.
21-1710. Law not retroactive.
21-1711. Cases not provided for by chapter.
21-1712. Short title.
(a) I n this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:
"bank" includes a person or association of persons, whether in-
corporated or not, carrying on the business of banking;
"fiduciary" includes a trustee under a trust, express, implied, result-
ing or constructive, executor, administrator, guardian, conservator,
curator, receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, assignee for the benefit of
creditors, partner, agent, officer of a corporation, public or private,
public officer, or other person acting in a fiduciary capacity for a person,
trust, or estate;
"person" includes a corporation, partnership, or other association,
or two or more persons having a joint or common interest;
"principal" includes a person to whom a fiduciary as such owes an
obligation.
(b) A thing is done "in good faith" within the meaning of this
chapter, when it is in fact done honestly, w^hether negligently or not.
§ 21-1702. Application of payment made to fiduciaries
A person who in good faith pays or transfers to a fiduciary money
or other property which the fiduciary as such is authorized to receive,
is not responsible for the proper application thereof by the fiduciary;
and any right or title acquired from the fiduciary in consideration of
the payment or transfer is not invalid in consequence of a misapplica-
tion by the fiduciary.
§ 21-1703. Transfer of negotiable instruments by fiduciary
If a negotiable instrument payable or indorsed to a fiduciary as such
is indorsed by the fiduciary, or if a negotiable instrument payable or
indorsed to his principal is indorsed by a fiduciary empowêred to
indorse the instrument on behalf of his principal, the indorsee is not
bound to inquire whether the fiduciary is committing a breach of his
obligation as fiduciary in indorsing or delivering the instrument, and
is not chargeable with notice that the fiduciary is committing a breach
of his obligation as fiduciary unless he takes the instrument with actual
knowledge of the breach or with knowledge of such facts that bis ac-
tion in taking the instrument amounts to bad faith. If, however, the
instrument is transferred by the fiduciary in payment of or as security
for a personal debt of the fiduciary to the actual knowledge of the
[79 STAT. PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPT. 14, 1965
creditor, or is transferred in a transaction known by the transferee to
be for the personal benefit of the fiduciary, tlie creditor or other trans-
feree is liable to the principal if the fiduciary in fact commits a breach
of his obligation as fiduciary in transferring the instrument.
§ 21-1704. Check drawn by fiduciary payable to third person
If a check or other bill of exchange is drawn by a fiduciary as such,
or in the name of his principal by a fiduciary empowered to draw^
such an instrument in the name of his principal, the payee is not bound
to inquire whether the fiduciary is committing a breach of his obliga-
tion as fiduciary in drawing or delivering the instrument, and is not
chargeable with notice that the fiduciary is committing a breach of
his obligation as fiduciary unless he takes the instrument with actual
knowledge of the breach or with knowledge of facts that his
action in taking the instrument amounts to bad faith. Where, how-
ever, the instrument is payable to a personal creditor of the fiduciary
and delivered to the creditor in payment of or as security for a per-
sonal debt of the fiduciary to the actual knowledge of the creditor, or
is drawn and delivered in a transaction known by the payee to be
for the personal benefit of the fiduciary, the creditor or other payee
is liable to the principal if the fiduciary in fact commits a breach of
his obligation as fiduciary in drawing or delivering the instrument.
§ 21-1705. Check drawn by and payable to fiduciary
If a check or other bill of exchange is drawn by a fiduciary as such
or in the name of his principal by a fiduciary empowered to draw such
an instrument in the name of his principal, payable to the fiduciary
personally, or payable to a third person and by him transferred to the
fiduciary, and is thereafter transferred by the fiduciary, whetlier in
payment of a personal debt of the fiduciary or otherwise, tlie trans-
feree is not bound to inquire whether the fiduciary is committing a
breach of his obligation as fiduciary in transferring the instrument,
and is not chargeable with notice that the fiduciary is committing a
breach of his obligations as fiduciary unless he takes the instrument
with actual knowledge of the breach or with knowledge of facts
that his action in taking the instrument amounts to bad faith.
§ 21-1706. Deposit in name of fiduciary as such
If a deposit is made in a bank to the credit of a fiduciary as sucli,
the bank is authorized to pay the amount of the deposit or any i)ai't
thereof upon the check of the fiduciary, signed with tlie name in
•which the deposit is entered, without being liable to the principal,
unless the bank pays the check with actual knowledge that the fiduci-
ary is committing a breach of his obligation as fiduciary in drawing
the check or with know^ledge of facts that its action in paying tlie
check amounts to bad faith. If, however, the check is payable to tlie
drawee bank and is delivered to it in payment of or as security for a
personal debt of the fiduciary to it, the bank is liable to tlie principal
if the fiduciary in fact commits a breach of his obligation as fiduciary
in drawing or delivering the check.
§ 21-1707. Deposit in name of principal; check drawn thereon by
fiduciary; check payable to drawee bank
If a check is drawn upon a bank account of his principal by a
fiduciary who is empowered to draw checks upon his principal's
account, the bank is authorized to pay the checks witliout being liable
49-850 0-66—52
778 PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPl. 14, 1965 [79 STAT.
to the principal, unless the bank pays the check with actual knowl-
edge that the fiduciary is committing a breach of his obligation as
fiduciary in drawing the check, or with knowledge of facts that
its action in paying the check amounts to bad faith. If, however, the
check is payable to the drawêe bank and is delivered to it in payment
of or as security for a personal debt of the fiduciary to it, the bank is
liable to the prmcipal if the fiduciary in fact commits a breach of his
obligation as fiduciary in drawing or delivering the check.
§ 21-1708. Deposit in fiduciary personal account
When a fiduciary deposits in a bank to his personal credit checks:
(1) drawn by him upon an account in his own name as
fiduciary; or
(2) payable to him as fiduciary; or
(3) drawn by him upon an account in the name of his prin-
cipal if he is empowered to draw checks thereon; or
(4) payable to his principal and indorsed by him, if he is
empowered to indorse such checks—
or if he otherwise deposits funds held by him as fiduciary, the bank
receiving the deposit is not bound to inc[uire whether the fiduciary is
committing thereby a breach of his obligation as fiduciary, and may
pay the amount of the deposit or any part thereof upon the personal
check of the fiduciary without being liable to the principal, unless the
bank receives the deposit or pays the check with actual knowledge
that the fiduciary is committing a breach of his obligation as fiduciary
in making the deposit or in drawing the check, or with knowledge
of facts that its action in receiving the deposit or paying the check
amounts to bad faith.
§ 21-1709. Deposit in names of two or more trustees
When a deposit is made in a bank in the name of two or more per-
sons as trustees and a check is drawn upon the trust account by any
trustee authorized by the others to draw checks upon the trust
account, neither the payee nor other holder nor the bank is bound
to inquire whether it is a breach of trust to authorize the trustee
to draw checks upon the trust account, and is not liable unless the
circumstances be such that the action of the payee or other holder
or the bank amounts to bad faith.
§21-1710. Law not retroactive
This chapter does not apply to transactions that took place prior
to May 14,1928.
§ 21-1711. Cases not provided for by chapter
I n a case not provided for by this chapter the rules of law and
equity, including the law merchant and those rules of law and equity
relating to trusts, agency, negotiable instruments, and banking, con-
tinue to apply.
§ 21-1712. Short title
This chapter may be cited as the "Uniform Fiduciaries Act".
SEC. 2. The Commission on Mental Health continued by section
21-502 of P a r t III, District of Columbia Code, as set out in section 1
of this Act, is the Commission established by the Act approved June
8, 1938 (chapter 326, 52 Stat. 625), as amended, and continued by
section 20 of the Act approved September 15,1964 (Pub. Law 88-597,
78 Stat. 954). Chapter 5 of Title 21 of P a r t III, District of Colum-
bia Code, as set out in section 1 of this Act, does not affect or impair
the existence of the Commission so established and continued, and
does not alter the pay or the terms of office of the members of the Com-
mission serving as such on December 31,1965.
SEC. 3. Section 3 of the Act approved August 31,1957 (Pub. L. 85- ^°"^'- "^^*^-
244, 71 Stat. 560), as amended by section 3 of the Act approved Sep-
tember 14,1961 (Pub. L. 87-246, 75 Stat. 515), is amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 3. Effective March 15, 1962, all provisions of the Act entitled
'An Act to establish a code of law for the District of Columbia',
approved March 3, 1901, as amended, and all other laws in force in
the District of Columbia, relating to the right of dower and its in-
cidents, apply to both husband and wife."
SEC. 4. The repeal, by section 8 of this Act, of section 19(b) of the
Act approved September 15,1964 (Pub. Law 88-597,78 Stat. 953; D.C.
Code, 1961 ed., Supp. IV, 1965, sec. 21-308 note), and the prior repeal,
by section 19(a) of such Act approved September 15, 1964 (78 Stat.
953) of the Act approved June 8, 1938 (chapter 326, 52 Stat. 625;
D.C. Code, 1961 ed., sec. 21-308), as amended, and of the Act ap-
proved August 9, 1939 (chapter 620, 53 Stat. 1293; D.C. Code, 1961
ed., sees. 21-310 to 21-318, 21-320 to 21-325), as amended, do not
affect (1) any action or proceeding brought prior to September 15,
1964, and existing on December 31, 1965, or (2) any liability incurred
by a person for the payment of the costs of maintenance and treatment
of an insane or incompetent person hospitalized in the District of
Columbia prior to September 15, 1964, and any such action or pro-
ceeding shall be heard or determined and such liability continued
in accordance with the provisions of those Acts in the same manner
and to the same extent as if they had not been repealed.
SEC. 5. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may Appropriation.
be necessary to carry out the provisions of P a r t III, District of Colum-
bia Code, as set out in section 1 of this Act.
SEC. 6. The following British statutes, heretofore classified to P a r t
III of the District of Columbia Code, 1961 edition, under the authority
of section 1 of the Act approved March 3,1901 (ch. 854, 31 Stat. 1189;
D.C. Code, 1961 ed., sec. 49-301), have no further force, as such, in '
the District of Columbia:
(1) 9 Henry I I I (1225), chapter 7, section 1 (D.C. Code, 1961 ed.,
sec. 18-201).
(2) 13 Edward I (1285), chapter 4 (D.C. Code, 1961 ed., sec. 18-
207).
(3) 13 Edward I (1285), chapter 7 (D.C. Code, 1961 ed., sec. 18-
208).
(4) 13 Edward I (1285), chapter 15, section 1 (D.C. Code, 1961
od., sec. 21-117).
(5) 13 Edward I (1285), chapter 34, section 4 (D.C. Code, 1961
ed., sec. 18-203).
(6) 21 Henry V I I I (1529), chapter 4, section 1 (D.C. Code, 1961
ed., sec. 18-605).
(7) 27 Henry V I I I (1535), chapter 10, sections 6, 7, 9 (D.C. Code,
1961 ed., sees. 18-206,18-209,18-205, respectively).
(8) 43 Elizabeth I (1601), chapter 8. section 2 (D.C. Code, 1961
ed.. sec. 20-113).
(9) 30 Charles I I (1677), chapter 7, section 2 (D.C. Code, 1961

ed., sec. 20-114).
(10) 4 and 5 William and Mary (1692), chapter 24, section 12 (D.C.
Code, 1961 ed., sec. 20-112).
(11) 25 George I I (1762) chapter 6, sections 1, 2, 7 (D.C. Code,
1961 ed., sees. 19-104,19-106,19-105, respectively).
Effective date. SEC. 7. This Act takes effect on January 1,1966.
Repeals. SEC. 8. The sections of the Acts or parts of Acts, enumerated in the
schedule below, are repealed. Any rights or liabilities existing under
the statutes or parts thereof so repealed, and any cases, actions, or pro-
ceedings instituted under, or growing out of, any of the statutes or
parts thereof so repealed, are not affected by the repeal. However,
laws becoming effective after February 3, 1965, and inconsistent with
this Act supersede it to the extent of the inconsistency.
s t a t u t e s a t large D . C . Code—
1961 ed.,
section
Date Chapter Section Volume Page
1S92—July 14 171 27 154 21-105

1901- M a r . 3 -- 854 91 31 1203 21-202
Do -- 854 92 31 1203 21-203
D o . -- - 854 93 31 1203 21-213
Do .-- 854 94 31 1204 18-€11
Do -- 854 96 31 1204 18-612
Do - 854 " 115a 21-310 note
Do - - 854 2 116f 21-401
Do 854 122 31 1209 20-603
Do . - - 854 3123a 20-116
Do - -...-- 854 124 31 1210 20-504
Do 854 125 31 1210 20-107
Do 854 128 31 1211 20-109
Do - 854 130 31 1211 19-301
Do 854 131 31 1211 19-305
Do - 854 132 31 1211 19-306
Do - 854 133 31 1212 19-302
Do - 854 134 31 1212 19-308
Do --- 854 135 31 1212 19-304
Do 854 136 31 1212 19-307
Do 854 137 31 1212 19-309
Do 854 < 137a 19-310
Do 854 138 31 1212 19-303
Do - - 854 139 31 1213 19-311
Do, - 854 140 31 1213 19-312
Do 854 141 31 1213 19-313
Do - 854 146 31 1214 18-607
Do 864 147 31 1214 18-608
Do 864 148 31 1214 18-609
Do - 854 149 31 1216 18-010
Do 864 160 31 1215 21-109
Do -.. 854 151 31 1216 21-118
Do 854 152 31 1216 21-106
Do 864 163 31 1216 21-121
Do 854 « 163 A 21-121a
Do 854 164 31 1216 21-122
Do 854 155 31 1215 21-113
Do 854 156 31 1215 21-204
Do 864 167 31 1216 21-205
Do 864 158 31 1216 21-206
Do - 864 159 31 1216 21-207
Do - 864 160 31 1216 21-208
Do 854 161 31 1216 21-209
Do 854 162 31 1216 21-210
Do -- 854 163 31 1216 21-211
Do 864 164 31 1216 21-212
Do 864 165 31 1217 21-201
Do ., 854 166 31 1217 21-104
Do... 854 260 31 1231 18-501
See footnotes at end of table.

statutes at large D.C. Code—

1961 ed.,
section
1901—Mar. 3—Continued
Do 854 261 31 1232 20-101
Do - 854 262 31 1232 20-301
Do 854 263 31 1232 20-302
Do 854 264 31 1232 20-303
Do 854 265 31 1233 20-304
Do 854 266 31 1233 20-305
Do 854 267 31 1233 20-307
Do 854 268 31 1233 20-306
Do 854 269 31 1233 20-308
Do 854 270 31 1233 20-309
Do 854 271 31 1233 20-310
Do 864 272 31 1233 20-311
Do 854 273 31 1234 20-201
Do 854 274 31 1234 20-202
Do 854 275 31 1234 20-203
Do 854 276 31 1234 20-204
Do 854 277 31 1234 20-205
Do 854 278 31 1234 20-206
Do 854 279 31 1234 20-207
Do 854 280 31 1234 20-208
Do 854 281 31 1234 20-209
Do 854 282 31 1234 20-210
Do 854 283 31 1234 20-211
Do 854 284 31 1234 20-212
Do 854 285 31 1235 20-213
854 286 31 1235 20-214
Do
854 287 31 1235 20-215
Do
854 288 31 1235 20-216
Do
854 289 31 1236 20-217
Do
854 290 31 1235
Do 20-106
854 291 31 1235
Do 20-218
854 292 31 1235
Do 20-119
854 293 31 1235
Do 20-219
854 294 31 1236
Do 20-102
854 295 31 1236
Do 20-104
854 296 31 1236
Do 20-108
854 297 31 1236
Do 20-117
854 298 31 1236
Do 20-103
854 299 31 1237
Do.. 20-105
854 300 31 1237
Do 20-312
854 301 31 1237
Do 854 31 1237 20-110
302
Do 854 303 31 1237 20-111
Do 854 304 31 1237 20-610
Do 854 306 31 1238 20-401
Do 854 306 31 1238 20-402
Do 854 307 31 1238 20-403
Do 854 308 31 1238 20-404
Do 854 «308a 20-405
Do 854 309 20-118
Do 854 310 31 1238 J8-401
Do 854 311 31 1239 18-402
Do 854 312 31 1239 18-403
Do 854 313 31 1239 18-404
Do 854 314 31 1239 18-405
Do 854 315 31 1239 18-406
Do 854 316 31 1239 18-407
Do 854 317 31 1239 18-408
Do 854 318 31 1240 18-301
Do 854 319 31 1240 18-302
Do 854 320 31 1240 18-303
Do 854 321 31 1240 18-304
Do 854 322 31 1240 18-305
Do 854 323 31 1240 18-601
Do 854 324 31 1240 18-602
Do 854 325 31 1241 18-603
Do 31 1241 18-604
See footnotes a t end of table.
statutes at large D.C. Code-

1961 ed.,
section
Do 864 326 1241 18-606
Do 854 327 1241 20-501
Do— 854 328 1242 20-502
Do - 854 329 1242 20-505
Do - 854 330 1243 18-503
Do - 854 331 1243 18-504
Do - - 854 332 1243 18-505
Do 854 333 1243 18-506
Do 854 334 1243 18-607
Do 854 335 1243 18-508
Do — — 854 336 1243 18-509
Do —. 854 337 1244 18-510
Do 854 338 1244 18-511
Do 854 339 1244 18-512
Do 854 341 1244 18-515
Do 854 342 1244 18-516
Do 854 343 1244 18-517
Do 854 344 1244 18-519
Do : 854 345 1244 18-522
Do 854 346 1245 18-523
Do 854 347 1245 18-524
Do 854 348 1245 18-518
Do 854 349 1245 18-525
Do 854 350 1246 18-526
Do 854 351 1246 18-527
Do 854 352 1246 18-528
Do 854 353 1246 18-529
Do 854 354 1246 18-513
Do 854 355 1246 18-514
854 356 1246 18-520
Do
854 357 1247 18-502
Do
854 358 1247 18-521
Do
854 359 1247 18-530
Do
854 360 1247 20-506
Do
854 361 1247 20-601
Do
854 362 1247 20-602
Do
854 363 1247 20-603
Do
854 364 1248 20-604
Do 854 1248 20-605
365
Do. 854 1248 20-606
366
Do 854 369 1248 20-115
Do - 854 370 1249 20-607
Do 854 371 1249 20-608
Do - 854 372 1249 20-609
Do 854 373 1249 18-701
Do -- 854 374 1249 18-702
Do 854 375 1249 18,703
Do-- 854 376 1249 18-704
Do 854 377 1250 18-705
Do.- 854 378 1250 18-706
Do 854 379 1250 18-707
Do 854 380 1250 18-708
Do 854 381 1250 18-709
Do 854 382 1250 18-710
Do- 854 383 1250 18-711
Do 854 384 1250 18-712
Do 854 385 1250 18-713
Do - 854 1250 18-714
Do 854 18-715
Do 854 18,716
Do- 854 387 1250 18-717
Do - 854 388 1251
18-718
Do 854 389 1251
18-719
Do 854
390 1251
18-720
Do 391 1251
854 18-721
Do 392 1251
854 18-722
Do 1251
S e e f o o t n o t e s a t e n d of table,
s t a t u t e s at large D . C . Code—
1961 ed.,
section
Do - - 854 394 31 1261 18-723
Do 854 »394(a) 18-801
Do - - 854 »394(b) 18-802
Do - 854 m 394(c) 18-803
Do - 854 11 394(d) 18-804
Do 854 12 394(e) 18-806
Do - - 854 13 394(f) 18-806
Do 854 i« 394(g) 18-807
Do - 854 IS 394(h) 18-808
Do - 854 1" 394 (i) 18-809
Do - 854 " 394(i) 18-810
Do 854 830 31 1324 22-1403
Do 854 940 31 1342 18-101
Do - - 854 952 31 1343 18-102
Do -- 854 957 31 1344 18-106
Do - 854 959 31 1344 18-108
Do - 864 960 31 1344 18-110
Do -. 854 961 31 1344 18-109
Do 854 1123 31 1369 21-101,21-108
Do - - 854 1124 31 1369 21-102
Do - 854 1125 31 1369 21-103
Do - 854 1126 31 1369 21-129
Do 854 1127 31 1369 21-110
D o -- - 854 1128 31 1369 21-112
Do 854 1129 31 1369 21-107
Do 854 1130 31 1369 21-111
854 1131 31 1370
Do 21-119
854 1132 31 1370
Do. 21-120
854 1133 31 1370
Do 21-124
854 1134 31 1370
Do . . - - 21-125
854 1135 31 1370
Do 21-126
854 1136 31 1371
Do 21-218
854 1137 31 1371
Do 21-127
854 1138 31 1371
Do. 21-123
854 1139 31 1371
Do - 21-130
854 1140 31 1371
Do -- 21-114
854 1141 31 1371
Do--- 21-115
854 1142 31 1371
Do 21-116
854 1158 31 1375
Do 18-202
854 1165 31 1376
Do .- 18-204
854 1172 31 1376
Do 18-210
864 1173 31 1376
Do 18-211
864 1174 31 1377
Do -. 18-212
854 1623 31 1433
Do 19-201
854 1626 31 1433
Do - 19-101
864 1626 31 1433
Do 864 19-103
1627 31 1433
Do 854 19-108
1628 31 1433
Do 854 19-205
'«1628a
Do... 864 19-206
1629
Do 864 31 1434 19-107
1630
Do 854 1631 31 1434 19-109
Do.. 864 1632 31 1434 19-110
Do 864 1633 31 1434 19-204
Do.__ 854 1634 31 1434 19-203
Do 864 1635 31 1434 19-102
Do... 864 i» 1636a 31 1434 19-202
Do 19-111
S*»p footnotes at end of table.
1961 ed.,
section
1902—June 30 1329 32 20 526 19-301,19-312

(part)
Do 1329 32 21527 18-607,21-210,
(part) 21-211,21-212
Do - 1329 32 22 528 18-501,20-217,
(part) 20-302, 20-303
Do 1329 32 23 528, 529 20-106
(part)
Do —. 1329 32 2<.529 18-301,18-303,
(part) 18-305,18-404,
18-510,18-527,
20-117,20-219,
20-501, 20-602,
20-603
Do 1329 32 25 529, 530 20-605
(part)
1902—June 30 - 1329 32 26 530 18-707,18-711
(part)
Do 1329 32 2'535 22-1403
(part)
Do 1329 32 28 542 21-115
(part)
Do - 1329 32 29 545 19-203,19-205
(part)
1905—Feb. 23 - 738 1 33 740 21-306, 21-307
Do 738 2 33 740 32-330
Mar. 3- - 1441 33 1006,1007 21-115
1920—Apr. 19- - 153 1 (part) 41 30 656 21-310 note
Do - 153 1 (part) 41 31 5 5 7 , 5 5 8 19-312
Do — - 153 1 (part) 41 32 561 20-204,20-205,
20-206
Do - 1 (part) 41 33 562 20-207,20-208,
153
20-403,20-404,-
20-405
Do 1 (part) 41 3«563 18-305,18-402,
153
18-702,18-703,
18-704,18-705
Do - 153 1 (part) 41 35 567,568 18-211
1925—Mar. 3 460 6 43 1135 32-607
Do 460 7 43 1135 32-608
Do 460 8 43 1136 32-609
Do 460 9 43 1136 32-610
Do 460 10 43 1136 32-611
Do —- -- 460 11 43 1137 32-612
Do 460 12 43 1137 32-613
Do 460 13 43 1137 32-614
Do - 460 14 43 1137 32-615
Do 460 15 43 1138 32-616
Do --- 460 16 43 1138 32-617
Do 460 17 43 1138 32-618
Do 460 18 43 1139 32-619
Do 460 19 43 1139 32-620
Do 460 20 43 1139 32-621
Do --- 460 21 43 1140 32-622
Do 460 22 43 1140 32-623
Do -.- 460 23 43 1140 32-624
Do 460 24 43 1140 32-625
Do 460 25 43 1140 32-626
Do --- 460 26 43 1140 32-627
Do 460 27 43 1140 32-628
See footnotes at end of table.

79 STAT.] PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPT. 14, 1965 785
1961 ed.,
section
Date Chapter Section Volume
1927—Feb. 1 0 . . . 101 1067 21-126

1927—Mar. 3 350 1383 21-103,21-110
1928—May 14. 545 1 509 21-601
Do - 645 2 510 21-602
Do 545 4 510 21-604
Do- 545 6 510 21-605
Do.. .— 545 6 511 21-606
Do.. .- 545 7 511 21-607
Do 545 8 511 21-608
Do 545 9 511 21-609
Do 545 10 512 21-610
Do 545 11 512 21-611
Do. - 545 12 512 21-612
Do 545 13 513 21-613
Do. 545 14 512 21-614
1935—Mar. 6 28 1 39 18-708
Do 28 2 39 18-712
Do 28 3(A) 39 18-101
Apr. 8 46 1 111 20-701
Do. .- 46 2 111 20-702
Do —- 46 3 111 20-703
Do 46 4 112 20-704
Do- 46 5 112 20-705
Do.. 46 112 20-706
Do 46 112 20-707
Do 46 112 20-708
Do 46 9 112 20-709
Do. 46 10 113 20-710
Do- 46 11 113 20-711
Do 46 12 113 20-712
Do 46 13 113 20-713
Do 46 14 113 20-714
Do .- 46 15 113 20-715
1939—July 5 281 1 (part) 36 1007 21-309
1940—June 12 333 1 (part) 5'310 21-309
1945—Apr. 28 102 100,101 32-615,32-616
1948—June 19 508 488 20-501
1949—June 24 241 267 19-301
241 267 19-305
Do
268 1&-501
Do 242
268 20-306
Do 242
268 18-101
Do 242
268 18-407
Do 242
268 18-518
Do 242
268 18-526
Do... 242
268 20-601
Do 242
268 19-309
Do 243
269 18-801 to 18-810
Do.... 241
492 21-308
Aug. 2 383
759 32-417
Oct. 11 672
760 32-417a
Do 672
761 32-417b
Do 672
761 32-417C
Do 672
761 32-417d
Do 672
761 32-417e
Do 672
761 32-417f
Do 672
761 32-417g
Do 672
889 21-308
Oct. 25 710
608 21-501
1951—Oct. 24 545
608 21-502
Do 545
608 21-503
Do 545
608 21-504
Do 545
608 21-505
Do 545
609 21-506
Do 545
21-507
Do 545
S e e f o o t n o t e s a t e n d of t a b l e
statutes at large D.C. Code—

1961 ed.,
section
1953—June 18 - 131 1 67 66 20-116

Aug. 1 308 1 67 358 20-605
1966—Aug. 3 947 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 6, 70 1028-1031 21-214 to 21-224
7,8,9,10,11 note (Supp. IV),
21-225 to 21-234
I As added by Act June 30,1902, ch. 1329, 32 Stat. 520 (524).

« As added by Act June 30,1902, ch. 1329, 32 Stat. 520 (524, 525).
3 As added by Act April 19, 1920, ch. 153, § 1, 41 Stat. 555 (556, 557).
* As added by Act April 19,1920, ch. 153, § 1, 41 Stat. 555 (557).
4 As added by Act Sept. 14,1959, Pub. L. 86-268, 73 Stat. 553.
«As added by Act April 19, 1920, ch. 153, § 1, 41 Stat. 555 (562, 563).
' As added by Act June 30,1902, chapter 1329, 32 Stat. 520 (530).
«As added by Act June 24,1949, ch. 244, 63 Stat. 269.
»As added by Act June 24,1949, ch. 244, 63 Stat. 269.
10 As added by Act June 24,1949, ch. 244, 63 Stat. 269, 270.
II As added by Act June 24,1949, ch. 244, 63 Stat. 269 (270).
12 As added by Act June 24,1949, ch. 244, 63 Stat. 269 (270).
" As added by Act June 24,1949, ch. 244, 63 Stat. 269 (271).
" As added by Act June 24,1949, ch. 244,63 Stat. 269 (271).
18 As added by Act December 5, 1963, Public Law 88-192, | 1, 77 Stat. 345.
i» As added by Act June 30,1902, ch. 1329, 32 Stat. 520 (545, 546).
M The provisions on page 526 amending sections 130 and 140 of the Act approved Marcli 3, 1901 (ch. 854,
31 Stat. 1211,1213).
«i The provisions on page 527 amending sections 146,162, 163, and 164 of the Act approved March 3, 1901
(ch. 854, 31 Stat. 1214,1216).
22 The provisions on page 528 amending sections 260, 263, 275, and 289 of the Act approved March 3,1901
(ch. 854, 31 Stat. 1231, 1232, 1234, 1235).
« The provisions on pages 528 and 529 amending section 290 of the Act approved March 3, 1901 (ch. 854,
31 Stat. 1235).
2< The provisions on page 529 amending sections 293, 297, 312, 317,319, 321,327,337, 351, 362, and 363 of the.
Act approved March 3, 1901 (ch. 854, 31 Stat, 1235,1236,1239, 1240, 1241,1244,1246,1247).
« The provisions on pages 529 and 530 amending section 365 of the Act approved March 3, 1901 (ch. 854,
31 Stat. 1248).
29 The provisions on page 530 amending sections 379 and 383 of the Act approved March 3, 1901 (ch. 854,
31 Stat. 1250).
2' The provisions on page 535 amending section 830 of the Act approved March 3, 1901 (ch. 854, 31 Stat.
1324).
2« The provisions on page 542 amending section 1141 of the Act approved March 3, 1901 (ch. 854, 31 Stat.
1371).
2' The provisions on page 545 amending sections 1628 and 1633 of the Act approved March 3, 1901 (ch.
854, 31 Stat. 1433, 1434).
'0 The provisions on page 556 amending section 115a of the Act approved March 3,1901 (ch. 854), as added
by Act June 30,1902, ch. 1329, 32 Stat. 520 (524).
" The provisions on pages 557 and 558 amending section 140 of the Act approved March 3,1901 (ch. 854,
31 Stat. 1213).
M The provisions on page 661 amending sections 276, 277 and 278 of the Act approved March 3,1901 (ch.
854, 31 Stat. 1234).
M The provisions on page 562 amending sections 279, 280, 306, 307 and 308 of the Act approved March 3,
1901 (ch. 854, 31 Stat. 1234, 1238).
>* The provisions on page 563 amending sections 310, 321, 374, 375, 376 and 377 of the Act approved March
3, 1901 (ch. 854, 31 Stat. 1239,1240,1249,1250).
>s The provisions on pages 567 and 568 amending section 1173 of the Act approved March 3,1901 (ch. 854,
31 Stat. 1376).
w Only the provisions In the eighth paragraph on page 1007, reading as follows: "Provided, That the salary
of the executive secretary shall be at the rate of $3,000 per annum".
«' Only the provisions in the second paragraph on page 310, reading as follows: "Provided, That the salary
of the executive secretary shall be at the rate of $3,000 per annum and the salary of each physician-member
shall be at the rate of $3,800 per annum".
Date Public Section Volume Page D . C . Code—1961

Law ed., section
1957—Aug. 31 85-244 1 71 560 18-101

Do 85-244 2 71 560 18-215a
Do 85-244 6 71 561 18-210
Do 85-244 6 71 561 18-211
Do 85-244 7 71 561 18-212
Do 85-244 9(a) 71 662 18-714
Do 86-244 9(b) 71 562 18-715
Do 85-244 9(c) 71 562 18-716
Do 85-244 9(d) 71 562 18-717
Do 85-244 10, 11 71 562 18-101 note
1958—Mar. 28 86-366 1 72 67 18-901
Do 85-356 2 72 67 18-902
Do 85-356 3 72 67 18-903
Do 86-356 4 72 67 18-904
Do 85-366 5 72 67 18-905
Do 86-366 6 72 67 18-906
Do 85-356 7 72 68 18-907
Do 86-356 8 72 68 18-908
Do 85-366 9 72 68 18-901 note
Do 85-356 10 72 68 18-909
Do 86-356 11 72 68 18-410
1960—July 14 86-674 1 74 553 19-309
1961—Sept. 14 87-246 1 75 515 18-101 note
Do , 87-246 2 75 515 18-101
Do 87-246 3 75 515 18-201a
Do 87-246 4 75 516 J8-211
Do 87-246 5 75 517 18-204
Do 87-246 8 75 617 18-101 note
1962—Oct. 15 87-821 Ml 76 938-942 21-225, 21-225
note, 21-226 to
21-211
Do 87-821 2(b) (c) 76 943 21-214 to 21-204
note, 21-225 note
Do - 87-821 3 76 943 21-225 note
1963—Dec. 23 83-241 13 77 618 21-213
1664—Aug. 30 88-505 78 638 32-417
1964—Sept. 15 88-597 1 78 944 21-351 note
Do 88-597 2 78 944 21-351
Do - 88-597 3 78 944 21-352
Do 88-597 4 78 945 21-353
Do 88-597 5 78 946 21-354
Do 88-597 6 78 946 21-355
Do 88-597 7 78 947 21-356
Do 88-597 8 78 950 21-357
Do 88-597 9 78 951 21-358
Do 88-597 10 78 952 21-359
Do 88-597 11 78 952 21-360
Do 88-597 12 78 952 21-361
Do 88-697 13 78 952 21-362
Do 88-597 14 78 952 21-363
Do 88-597 16 78 962 21-364
Do 88-597 16 78 953 21-365
S e e f o o t n o t e s a t end of table.
Date Public Section Volume Page D . C . Code—19*51

Law ed., section
1964—Sept. 15—Continued
Do 88-697 17 78 953 21-366
Do 88-697 18 78 953 21-501
Do 88-697 19(b) 78 953 21-308 n o t e
Do 8»-697 s» 19(e) 78 953 21-301 n o t e ,
21-303 to 21-305
note
Do 88-597 29 78 954 21-352 n o t e
38 Which amended generally Act August 3,1956, ch. 947, 5§ 1-11, 70 Stat. 1028-1031 (D.C. Code, 1961 ed.
gupp. IV, sees. 21-214 to 21-224 note, 21-225 note).
39Second sentence, only.
Approved September 14, 1965.
Public Law 89-184

September 15, 1965 AN ACT
[H. R. 9570] To amend the Federal Firearms Act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury
to relieve applicants from certain provisions of the Act if he determines that
the granting of relief would not be contrary to the public interest, and that
the applicant would not be likely to conduct his operations in an unlawful
manner.
Be it enacted hy the Senate and Hou^se of Representatives of the

Federal F i r e - United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Federal
arms Act, amend-
ment. Firearms Act, as amended (52 Stat. 1250; 15 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section:
"SEC. 10. A person who has been convicted of a crime punishable
by imprisonment for a tenn exceeding one year (other than a crime
involving the use of a firearm or other weapon or a violation of this
68A Stat. 721; Act or of the National Fireanns Act) may make application to the
72 Stat. 1428.
26 u s e 5849. Secretary of the Treasury for relief from the disabilities under this
Act incurred by reason of such conviction, and the Secretary of the
Treasury may grant such relief if it is established to his satisfaction
that the circumstances regarding the conviction, and the applicant's
record and reputation, are such that the applicant will not be likely
to conduct his operations in an unlawful manner, and that the grant-
ing of the relief would not be contrary to the public interest. A
licensee conducting operations imder this Act, who makes application
for relief from the disabilities incurred under this Act by reason of
such a conviction, shall not be barred by such conviction from further
operations under his license pending final action on an application for
P u b l i c a t i o n in relief filed pursuant to this section. Whenever the Secretary of the
Federal Register.
Treasury grants relief to any person pui-suant to this section, he shall
promptly publish in the Federal Register notice of such action,
together with the reasons therefor.'*
Approved September 15, 1965.

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79 STAT. ] PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPT.

14, 1965 685

Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the

TITLE 18—WILLS AND PROBATE OF WILLS

CHAPTER 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 18-102. Capacity to make a will

requested by the testator to bear witness that the disposition was

CHAPTER 5—PROBATE OF WILLS

§ 18-507. Admission to probate

TITLE 19—DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION

(c) The allowance provided for by this section is in addition to

§ 19-110. Assignment by guardian; rights of heir

jurisdiction of the person of the spouse. The time for renunciation

CHAPTER 3—INTESTATES' ESTATES

lieirs specified by this subsection take the real estate as tenants in

§ 19-311. Share of collateral relations

CHAPTER 5—SIMULTANEOUS DEATHS—UNIFORM LAW

TITLE 20—ADMINISTRATION OF DECEDENTS'

CHAPTER 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS

SUBCHAPTER III—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO

(b) If a party interested makes it appear to the court that an

circumstances under which letters of administration with the will

(10) relations on the part of the father shall be preferred to

an actual or implied revocation of his letters. When distribution of

manner as if it were not, on his default, delivered to the surety. The

convenient speed, with an account of his collections, into the office of

(b) The collector may be allowed a commission not exceeding 10

§20-708. Co-executor or co-administrator may file inventory if

CHAPTER 9—ASSETS OF ESTATE

§ 20-904. Failure of executor to include claims of testator against

the remaining executors or administrators may discharge the duties

CHAPTER 13—CLAIMS OF CREDITORS

of the money intended to be secured by the instrument has been re-

§20-1310. Plea of limitations within discretion of executor or

after the expiration of the period for distribution provided by section

§ 20-1320. Notice to creditors to file claims

(4) all other just claims, which shall be on an equal footing,

section is limited to damages for personal injury. I t does not include

it shall order an additional inventory or list of debts, as the case may

§ 20-1704. Assets to be charged

CHAPTER 19—DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS

§ 20-1904. Partial distribution

CHAPTER 21—ADMINISTRATION OF SMALL ESTATES

(2) authorizing a person having possession of any property

§ 20-2312. Compensation of receiver; interest of absentee in prop-

TITLE 21—FIDUCIARY RELATIONS AND THE

Subchapter I—Appointment of Guardian; Bond

§ 21-101. Natural guardians of the person

§ 21-103. Appointment of guardians of the person by court; limi-

§ 21-112. Suits by ancillary guardian

Subchapter II—Property of Infants

of the guardian or of the infant by next friend, decree a convey-

Subchapter III—Indigent Boys

(5) "custodial property" means:

(2) not in registered form, by delivering it to an adult other

§ 21-304. Custodian to be one person; rights, powers, and duties

Subchapter I—Definitions; Commission on Mental Health

Subchapter II—Voluntary and Nonprotesting Hospitalization

Subchapter III—Emergency Hospitalization