District of Columbia: rules and deadlines at a glance

Every 10 topic we track for District of Columbia on one page. Open a topic for the details, the law it comes from and how District of Columbia compares.

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Malpractice rules · Small claims limits · Small estate limits · Debt time limits · Shared fault rules · Medicaid expansion · ACA marketplace · Claim deadlines · Estate and inheritance tax

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply; open a topic for the details.

Filing deadlines (statute of limitations)

Medical malpractice	3 years
Wrongful death	2 years

Malpractice rules Single detailed source

Damage cap	No cap
Expert affidavit or certificate	Not required
Before you sue	90-day notice of intent before filing; mandatory mediation after filing

Small claims limits Single detailed source

Dollar limit	$10,000
Filing fee	$5, $10 or $45
Lawyers	Required for corporate plaintiffs

Small estate limits Checked on official source

Small estate limit	$40,000 by affidavit; $80,000 by court small-estate process
Wait after death	60 days (affidavit)
Real estate	Court process only

Debt time limits

Credit cards / open accounts	3 years
Written contracts	3 years
Promissory notes	3 years

Shared fault rules

Rule	Contributory negligence (51% bar for pedestrians and cyclists)
When you are barred	Barred at 1% fault; pedestrians and cyclists barred only at 51%+

Medicaid expansion Single detailed source

Expanded?	Yes
Since	Jan. 1, 2014

ACA marketplace

Marketplace type	State-run marketplace
Where to enroll	DC Health Link

Claim deadlines

Acknowledge	No fixed number of days; must act with reasonable promptness
Accept or deny	Reasonable time
Pay	Not set by rule

Estate and inheritance tax

Estate tax	Yes: estates over $4,988,400, taxed at 11.2%-16%
Inheritance tax	No inheritance tax