Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order

There are all sorts of forms executors, beneficiaries, and probate court clerks have to fill out and correspond with during probate and estate settlement, including affidavits, letters, petitions, summons, orders, and notices.

Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order is a commonly used form within District of Columbia. Here’s an overview of what the form is and means, including a breakdown of the situations when (or why) you may need to use it:

Atticus Fast Facts About Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order:

• This form pertains to the State of District of Columbia

Government forms are not typically updated often, though when they are, it often happens rather quietly. While Atticus works hard to keep this information about District of Columbia’s Form Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.

Step 1 - Download the correct District of Columbia form based on the name and ID if applicable

Double check that you have both the correct form name and the correct form ID. Some District of Columbia probate forms can look remarkably similar, so it’s best to double, even triple-check that you’re using the right one! Keep in mind that not all States have a standardized Form ID system for their probate forms.

Step 2 - Complete the Document

Fill out all relevant fields in Form Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order, take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in DC are long enough to begin with, and making a silly error can push your timeline even farther back. No thank you!

Note: If you don’t currently know all of the answers and are accessing Form Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order online, be sure to avoid closing the browser tab and potentially losing all your progress (or use a platform like Atticus to help avoid making mistakes).

Step 3 - Have Form witnessed or notarized (if required)

Some States and situations require particular forms to be notarized. If you have been instructed to get the document notarized or see it in writing on the document, then make sure to hire a local notary. There are max notary fees in the United States that are defined and set by local law. Take a look at our full guide to notary fees to make sure you aren’t overpaying or getting ripped off.

Step 4 - Submit Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order to the relevant office

This is most often the local probate court where the decedent (person who passed away) is domiciled (permanently resides) or the institution involved with this particular form (e.g. a bank). Some offices allow you to submit forms online, other’s don’t, and we while we generally recommend going in-person to expedite the process, sometimes that simply isn’t an option.

It’s also a generally good idea to establish a positive working relationship with any probate clerk (unfortunately there’s enough people & process out there making things more difficult and unnecessarily confusing for them), so a best practice is to simply ask the probate clerk proactively exactly how and where they’d prefer you to submit all forms.

Need help getting in touch with a local probate court or identifying a domicile probate jurisdiction?

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Different probate forms or processes can require different deadlines or response times for completing the appropriate form.

While some steps in the process are bound to specific deadlines (like petitioning for probate, having to submit an inventory of assets, or filing applicable notices to creditors and beneficiaries), many probate forms or processes are not tied to a specific deadline since the scope of work can vary based on situational factors or requirements involved.

Either way, there are a bunch of practical reasons why personal representatives should work to complete each step as thoroughly and quickly as possible when completing probate in District of Columbia.

5 reasons you should submit this form as quickly as possible:

1. The sooner you begin, the faster District of Columbia can allow heirs and beneficiaries to get their share of assets subject to probate. Acting promptly can also decrease the costs & overall mental fatigue through an otherwise burdensome process.
   
   Helpful Context: What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?

2. In general, creditors of an estate usually have around 3-6 months from the time you file notice to creditors to file any claims for debt against the deceased’s assets. If they don’t, then that debt is forfeited (and more importantly, the executor won’t be held personally responsible). So doing this sooner means you have a better idea of who is owed what and ensures you won’t get a surprise collector months later.

3. Not filing a will within 30 days (on average) could mean that the probate process proceeds according to intestate laws (laws that govern what happens to someone's stuff without a will) or is subject to unnecessary supervision by the probate court. And if you aren't directly related to the deceased (a.k.a. next of kin), this could also mean you lose your inheritance.

4. It’s important to file any necessary state tax returns on behalf of the deceased or estate by the following tax season in District of Columbia. If you don’t, you could owe penalties and interest. This also includes any necessary federal tax returns such as Forms 1040, 1041, or even a Form 706 estate tax return.

5. If a house in the State of District of Columbia is left empty (or abandoned) for a while, insurance can get dicey. For example, if the house burns down and no one has been there for a year, an insurance company may get out of paying your claim.

If you’re not using Atticus to get specific forms, deadlines, and timelines for District of Columbia probate, then try and stay as organized as possible, pay close attention to the dates mentioned in any correspondence you have with the State’s government officials, call the local District of Columbia probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order, and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.

It may also be available through some District of Columbia probate court sites, such as . In order to access the latest version, be updated with any revisions, and get full instructions on how to complete each form, check out the Atticus Probate & Estate Settlement software or consider hiring a qualified legal expert locally within District of Columbia.

While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order f using any other site or resource in order to avoid having to re-complete the form process and/or make another trip to the District of Columbia probate court office.

Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order is a .pdf, so opening it should be as simple as clicking “View Form” from within the Atticus app or by clicking the appropriate link found on any District of Columbia-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.

Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on District of Columbia Form Initial Hearing (Int) - Findings Of Fact, Conclusions Of Law And Order. You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

June 2018 – 905.10.v6 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION _________ INT _________ _________ IDD _________ In re _ _______________________________ Subject FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND ORDER A hearing was held on _________________________, 20__ on the petition of ____________________________________ for [ ] Appointment of a guardian of an incapacitated individual [ ] General [ ] Limited [ ] intellectual disability [ ] intellectual disability [ ] other [ ] other [ ] Appointment of successor guardian [ ] General [ ] Limited [ ] Appointment of a conservator of a protected individual [ ] General [ ] Limited [ ] Appointment of a special conservator of a protected individual [ ] Entry of a protective order [ ] Other: _________________________________________________________ A nd the Court makes the following preliminary findings: 1 . The following were present: [ ] Judge __________________________________________________ [ ] Petitioner __________________________________________________ [ ] Attorney for petitioner _____________________________________________ [ ] Attorney for subject _____________________________________________ [ ] Examiner __________________________________________________ [ ] Visitor __________________________________________________ [ ] Guardian ad litem _____________________________________________ [ ] Subject was present [ ] Subject was not present, and good cause was shown for subject’s absence. [ ] Other persons who were given permission to participate after the Court determined that the subject’s best interests would be served by the person’s participation. ____________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 2. The subject of the proceeding is an adult. 3 . The Court has jurisdiction because A. D.C. Code, sec. 21-2402.03 [ ] The District of Columbia is the subject’s home state as defined in D.C. Code, sec. 21-2402.01(a)(2). [ ] The District of Columbia is a significant connection state as defined in D.C. Code, sec. 21-2402.01(a)(3) and one of the following applies: 2 1. [ ] The subject does not have a home state. 2. [ ] The home state court declines to exercise jurisdiction because the District of Columbia is the more appropriate forum. [ ] At the time of this order, no petition or order is pending before the home state or a significant connection state and [ ] No petition has been filed in the home state, and [ ] No objection has filed in Superior Court, and [ ] The Court finds that it is an appropriate forum. [ ] The home state and all significant connection states decline to exercise jurisdiction, and jurisdiction in the District of Columbia is more appropriate and consistent with Title 11 and the Constitution. [ ] Special jurisdiction exists in accordance with D.C. Code, sec. 21-2402.04 for the following: [ ] Issuance of a protective order as to real or tangible personal property located in the District of Columbia [ ] Appointment of a guardian or conservator for whom a provisional order to transfer a proceeding from another state has been issued. B. Other basis for jurisdiction: ____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ 4. The subject of the proceeding was personally served at least 14 days before the hearing date. 5. All notices required by law have been given, or notice has been waived by the party to whom notice should have been sent. 6. The hearing was [ ] Open [ ] Closed at the request of counsel and/or the subject FINDINGS OF FACT Upon consideration of the petition, any reports filed herein, and the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the Court makes the following findings of fact: 1. The subject of this proceeding [ ] is not incapacitated. [ ] is incapacitated. 2. The subject of this proceeding is an adult whose ability to receive and evaluate information effectively or to communicate decisions is impaired to take actions necessary to [ ] obtain, administer, dispose of real and personal property, intangible property, business property, benefits, and income and/or [ ] provide health care, food, shelter, clothing, personal hygiene and other care without which serious physical injury or illness is more likely than not to occur and/or [ ] acquire and maintain those life skills that enable the subject to cope more effectively with the demands of the subject’s own person and environment and to raise the level of the subject’s physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and economic efficiency or meet all or some essential requirements for the subject’s therapeutic needs 3 [ ] without court-ordered assistance; OR [ ] without the appointment of [ ] a guardian [ ] a conservator 3. The incapacity of the individual [ ] Does not arise from intellectual disability. [ ] Does arise from intellectual disability. 4. A current comprehensive evaluation or habilitation plan [ ] Does not exist. [ ] Does exist and [ ] Is on file herein [ ] May be located at ________________________________ 5. If a conservator is being appointed, select appropriate boxes: [ ] The incapacitated individual has property that will be wasted or dissipated unless property management is provided. [ ] Money is needed for the support, care, and welfare of the subject, and protection is necessary or desirable to obtain and provide money. [ ] Money is needed for those entitled to the incapacitated individual’s support, and protection is necessary or desirable to obtain and provide money. The names and addresses of the persons entitled to such support are as follows: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 6. A Statement of Criminal History [ ] Has been filed and reviewed by the Court [ ] Has not been filed and must be filed within 14 days of the date of this order as specified below. 7 . Special findings of fact: _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ [ ] Firearms finding: This individual meets the federal standards for disqualification from possessing or receiving a firearm. The court therefore makes the following CONCLUSIONS OF LAW [ ] The subject of this proceeding is not incapacitated, and this petition is hereby dismissed. [ ] _________________________________ is an incapacitated individual whose best interests would be served by [ ] Appointment of a guardian as a means of providing continuing care and supervision of said individual [ ] Appointment of a conservator as a means of property management [ ] Entry of a protective order On consideration of the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is this __________ day of _______________, 20___, 4 ORDERED [ ] That the petition is dismissed. [ ] That ___________________________________________________________ (Name) ______________________________________________________________ (Address) ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ (Phone) is appointed [ ] limited guardian [ ] successor guardian [ ] general guardian of _____________________________________________________________ (Name) Appointment of this guardian shall not take effect and Letters shall not issue until (1) the Statement of Criminal History required by D.C. Code, sec. 21-2043(d-1)(1) is filed, if it has not already been filed and reviewed by the Court, and (2) the acceptance and consent to jurisdiction is filed, if not filed previously. Both items are to be filed within 14 days of the date of this order. Failure to file either item within the time specified will be called to the attention of the Court and may result in the appointment of a different guardian. Any irregularity in the Statement of Criminal History will be brought to the attention of the Court pursuant to SCR-PD 309 for entry of an additional order confirming appointment, setting a hearing, or appointing another person to serve as fiduciary. The guardian is responsible for the care, custody, and control of the ward and shall be governed by the general powers and duties listed in D.C. Code, sec. 21-2047(a), (b), and (c) [ ] subject to the following limitations, which shall be endorsed on the guardian’s Letters: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ The Specific Instructions to Guardians and Guardianship Information Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, and the guardian is admonished to read this information. The guardian is hereby notified of the following additional required filings. 5 1. A guardianship plan is to be filed by the guardian no later than 90 days from the date of the guardian’s appointment in INT cases only. (A guardianship plan is not required in IDD cases). 2. Guardianship reports are to be filed by the guardian every six months from the date of the guardian’s appointment. 3. The results of a criminal history check conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department are to be filed within 60 days of the date of appointment of the guardian. This check must have been conducted not more than 90 days prior to this appointment unless the guardian is a member of the Probate Fiduciary Panel. Any irregularity in the criminal history check will be brought to the attention of the Court pursuant to SCR-PD 309 and a hearing will be scheduled without further notice. 4. The results of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) fingerprint background check are to be filed within 180 days of the date of appointment of the guardian. This check must have been conducted not more than 90 days prior to this appointment unless the guardian is a member of the Probate Fiduciary Panel. Any irregularity in the FBI fingerprint background check will be brought to the attention of the Court pursuant to SCR-PD 309 and a hearing will be scheduled without further notice. 5. Change of Address Requirements: a. The guardian shall file a Change of Address of Ward Praecipe within 10 days of the date of the move if the ward moves to another residence within the District of Columbia. b. The guardian shall file a Notice of Change of Address of Ward within 10 days of the date of the move if the ward moves to a location outside the District of Columbia but within the geographical boundaries of Montgomery County, Prince Georges’ County, Arlington County, City of Alexandria or Fairfax County. c. Before moving the ward to a location that is outside the District of Columbia and not within the geographical boundaries of the neighboring jurisdictions listed above, the guardian must file a Petition Post Appointment for Permission to Move the Ward Outside the District of Columbia and Neighboring Jurisdictions and obtain prior court approval of the move. Copies of these filings are to be mailed to all parties, any person who has filed an effective request for notice in accordance with SCR-PD 304, and anyone else required by subsequent order of the Court. [ ] That _________________________________________________________________ (Name) ___________________________________________________________________ (Address) ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ (Phone) is appointed [ ] limited conservator [ ] general conservator [ ] special conservator 6 of _________________________________________________________________ (Name) Bond [ ] Is not required. [ ] Is set at $____________________to be filed within 14 days of the date hereof. [ ] Bond Restrictions: ________________________________________ Conservator shall observe the standards of care applicable to trustees and shall have the powers set forth in D.C. Code, sec. 21-2070 and the distributive duties and po wers in D.C. Code, sec. 21-2071 [ ] subject to the following enlargements and/or limitations, which shall be endorsed on the conservator’s Letters: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Letters shall issue upon the filing of the acceptance and consent to jurisdiction if not filed previously and any required bond. The Specific Instructions to Conservators and Conservatorship Information Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, and the conservator is admonished to read said information. The conservator is hereby notified of the following required filings. 1. An acceptance and consent to jurisdiction is to be filed by the conservator within 14 days of the date of the conservator’s appointment if not filed previously. 2. Bond (if set herein) is to be filed by the conservator within 14 days of the date of the conservator’s appointment. 3. A conservatorship plan and inventory are to be filed by the conservator within 60 days of the conservator’s appointment. 4. Annual accounts are to be filed by the conservator within 30 days of the anniversary of the date of the conservator’s appointment. Copies of these filings are to be mailed to all parties, any person who has filed an effective request for notice in accordance with SCR-PD 304, and anyone else required by subsequent order of the Court. [ ] The Court makes the following protective order: ______________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ [ ] The following persons shall continue as [ ] Parties: ________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ [ ] Participants: ____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ [ ] Counsel: ______________________________________________________ [ ] Other: ____________________________________________________________ 7 ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ _________________________________ JUDGE cc: 8 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Adult Guardianships Case – Firearms Restriction Case Number: _______________ Case Name: __________________________________________________ Order Date: ____________ Birth Date: __/__/____ (Month/Day/Year) Sex: M/F (circle one) Address: _____________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ___________________________ Judge