Washington has adopted the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act, which means D.C. Code allows a property owner to name one or more beneficiaries who will receive a qualifying interest in District real property automatically at the owner's death — without that property passing through probate first. It's worth noting the statute's scope is narrow by design: it only reaches interests in District real property that are transferable at death, so it isn't a catch-all tool for retitling bank accounts, vehicles, or other assets.
The deed itself is revocable during the owner's lifetime, which gives flexibility if plans change. To be valid, though, it has to meet the same essential formalities as a standard recordable deed, explicitly state that the transfer takes effect at death, and actually be recorded with the Office of the Recorder of Deeds before the owner passes away. Notably, the statute doesn't require notice to the beneficiary, delivery of the deed, the beneficiary's acceptance, or any consideration while the owner is alive — but skipping the recording step is a common way people accidentally invalidate an otherwise well-intentioned plan.
← Back to the full District of Columbia guide