Estate Planning Attorney Serving Dupont Circle, Washington, DC

Dupont Circle is one of Washington, DC's most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods — and one where thoughtful estate planning matters in ways that go beyond a standard document checklist. Kith + Kin Law serves Dupont Circle residents with relational, comprehensive estate planning built around who your family actually is.

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Estate Planning for All Family Structures

From the fountain at Dupont Circle to 17th Street NW and into Adams Morgan and Logan Circle, this neighborhood is home to couples, individuals, and families whose lives and relationships take many forms. The estate planning process at Kith + Kin Law is built to reflect that.


We serve all family structures — married couples, unmarried partners, single individuals, blended families, and LGBTQ+ individuals and couples — with the same relational, comprehensive approach. Every plan begins with a Life & Legacy Planning Session that examines your specific family structure, your goals, and what you want your plan to accomplish before any recommendation is made.


If you have been putting off estate planning because you were not sure where to start or whether a firm would understand your situation, the discovery call is the right place to begin. It is free, requires no preparation, and gives you a clear picture of what your family needs before any cost is incurred.

Estate Planning for Unmarried Partners and LGBTQ+ Couples in DC

For unmarried partners — including LGBTQ+ couples who are not legally married — estate planning is not optional. It is the legal foundation that protects your relationship when DC law does not do it automatically.


Washington, DC's intestacy laws govern what happens to your assets if you pass without a valid will. The intestacy formula passes assets to blood relatives — not to a domestic partner, not to a long-term partner, and not to anyone outside the legal definition of a spouse or next of kin. Without a will, your partner has no automatic legal right to inherit anything from your estate, regardless of the nature or length of your relationship.


A comprehensive estate plan closes that gap — and for unmarried couples, it closes several gaps at once:

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Wills and Beneficiary Designations

A valid DC will directs your assets to the people you choose — including a partner who would receive nothing under DC's intestacy default. Coordinated beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and bank accounts ensure that assets passing outside of probate also reach the right person.

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A revocable living trust allows assets to transfer directly to your partner without DC Superior Court probate — no public filing, no mandatory waiting period, and no opportunity for family members to challenge the distribution in a public court proceeding. For unmarried couples who want privacy and a straightforward transfer process, a trust-based plan is often the most protective structure.

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A DC healthcare power of attorney legally designates your partner as the person authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated. Without one, DC's statutory priority order for surrogate decision-making may place that authority with a blood relative rather than the person you would choose. A properly executed healthcare power of attorney removes that uncertainty entirely — hospitals must honor it regardless of marital status or family objection.

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A durable power of attorney gives your partner legal authority to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. For unmarried couples, this document carries the same importance as it does for any family — and without it, the alternative is a court-supervised conservatorship process that is slow, costly, and public.

Estate Planning for Dupont Circle's Young Professionals and Mid-Career Residents

Dupont Circle also draws a significant mid-career professional population — first-time homeowners, people entering new partnerships, professionals with growing assets and no estate plan in place. If that describes your situation, you are not behind. You are exactly where estate planning is most useful.


The earlier a plan is built, the more it reflects your actual circumstances rather than a crisis. A will drafted now names the people you choose. A healthcare directive drafted now protects your preferences before they are ever needed. Guardianship designations for minor children made now remove the most urgent estate planning decision from a judge's hands.


The discovery call takes 15 minutes and requires no preparation. You will leave the call with a clear understanding of what your family needs and what the next step looks like.

Three Practice Areas. One Coordinated Plan.

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Estate Planning

Comprehensive, relational plans in three tiers — will-based, trust-based, or a proactive Medicaid and long-term care planning package. For Dupont Circle residents with unmarried partners or non-traditional family structures, a coordinated plan that addresses all asset types and designations is the foundation of effective protection.

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Elder Law

Proactive Medicaid planning, long-term care planning, and asset protection for DC seniors and their families. For LGBTQ+ individuals and same-sex couples, elder law planning requires specific attention to how Medicaid spousal protections apply — and how to structure assets appropriately when those protections may or may not extend to your relationship.

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Probate

When a DC estate needs to move through DC Superior Court, we guide the personal representative through every step of probate administration. For unmarried partners named as beneficiaries in a will, understanding the probate process and how to navigate it is an important part of the overall planning picture.

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Serving Dupont Circle and Surrounding DC Neighborhoods

Kith + Kin Law is located at 853 New Jersey Avenue SE, Suite 200, in Capitol Hill — accessible from Dupont Circle by Metro on the Red Line with a transfer, or by car and rideshare. Virtual consultations are available for clients who prefer to meet remotely, and most Dupont Circle clients find a virtual session the most convenient starting point.


We serve Dupont Circle residents and DC families throughout the city, including families in Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, Georgetown, and Columbia Heights. We serve DC families in all their forms — different backgrounds, different structures, different stories — with intention and care.

Questions Dupont Circle Residents Ask About Estate Planning

  • Is there an estate planning attorney who serves Dupont Circle, DC?

    Yes. Kith + Kin Law serves Dupont Circle residents and DC families throughout the city. Our office is at 853 New Jersey Avenue SE in Capitol Hill, and virtual consultations are available. The first step is a free 15-minute discovery call — no preparation required.

  • What happens to my partner's assets in DC if we are not married and they pass without a will?

    Without a valid will, DC intestacy law distributes assets to blood relatives — not to an unmarried partner. Your partner would have no automatic legal right to inherit, regardless of the length or nature of your relationship. A will, coordinated beneficiary designations, and a trust if appropriate are the legal tools that protect an unmarried partner's rights under DC law. This is one of the most important estate planning conversations for unmarried couples in DC — and the discovery call is the right place to start it.

  • Can my partner make medical decisions for me in DC if we are not married?

    Not automatically. DC's statutory priority order for surrogate decision-making may place that authority with a blood relative rather than your partner. A properly executed DC healthcare power of attorney gives your partner legal authority to make medical decisions on your behalf — and that authority must be honored regardless of marital status or family objection. This is a document every unmarried couple in DC should have.

  • Does Kith + Kin Law work with LGBTQ+ individuals and couples?

    Yes — and with all family structures. We serve LGBTQ+ individuals, same-sex couples, unmarried partners, blended families, and families of every configuration with the same relational, comprehensive approach. The Life & Legacy Planning Session is built to understand your family as it actually exists, not as a template assumes it does.

  • I am in my 30s and just bought a home in Dupont Circle. Do I really need an estate plan?

    Yes — and homeownership is one of the clearest signals that the time is right. Your home is likely your largest asset, and without a plan it passes through DC Superior Court probate when you pass. If you have a partner, a will and coordinated beneficiary designations are what protect them under DC law. If you have no partner, a will is what ensures your assets go to the people you actually choose rather than DC's intestacy default. The discovery call takes 15 minutes and will tell you exactly what your situation calls for.

Your Family Deserves a Plan That Reflects Who You Are

Whatever your family looks like, your estate plan should reflect it. The discovery call is the right first step — and it starts with us understanding your situation before anything else.