Personal Property Memorandum - District of Columbia

PERSONAL PROPERTY MEMORANDUM

District of Columbia

Table of Contents

1. Declarant Identification
2. Reference to Last Will and Testament
3. Legal Effect
4. Distribution of Tangible Personal Property
5. Special Instructions
6. General Provisions
7. Instructions for Future Changes
8. Execution
9. Sources and References

1. DECLARANT IDENTIFICATION

I, [FULL LEGAL NAME], currently residing at [STREET ADDRESS], Washington, D.C. [ZIP CODE], record my wishes for the personal property described below.

Date of Birth: [__/__/____]

2. REFERENCE TO LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

This Memorandum accompanies my Last Will and Testament dated [__/__/____]. Relevant gift or residuary clause: [________________________________]. Deliver a copy to [name and address: ________________________________].

3. LEGAL EFFECT

D.C. Code § 18-109 governs revocation of wills; it does not authorize a standalone gift list. D.C. Code § 18-103 states the ordinary written-will execution requirements. This signed memorandum records preferences for the Personal Representative and does not itself amend a will or make a binding gift. To make these gifts binding, have a D.C. attorney place them in a will, codicil, or other effective instrument.

This list is confined to the tangible items described below. Identify each item and intended recipient clearly; confirm ownership and any separate transfer restrictions. Do not list assets already governed by another effective disposition unless counsel reconciles the conflict.

4. DISTRIBUTION OF TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY

I ask my Personal Representative to consider these preferences to the extent consistent with my effective estate-planning documents. If a named recipient does not survive me, I prefer the alternate recipient shown, if any. My will controls the actual disposition.

Jewelry and Watches

Art, Antiques, and Collectibles

Furniture and Household Items

Vehicles and Watercraft

Electronics and Equipment

Firearms

Collections (Books, Coins, Stamps, Memorabilia, etc.)

Family Heirlooms and Sentimental Items

Additional Items

5. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

6. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Property Not Listed: My will or other effective instrument controls property not listed here.

Survival Requirement: Unless otherwise stated above, a recipient must survive me to receive the designated property.

Disputes: If questions arise about an item or recipient, my Personal Representative should consult the controlling instrument and obtain legal advice as needed.

Scope: This list expresses preferences about the tangible items described above; it does not make gifts of any category of property by itself.

7. INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE CHANGES

To change the preferences recorded here:

• ☐ You may prepare an entirely new memorandum (recommended)
• ☐ Date and sign the revised memorandum so its version is identifiable
• ☐ Ask a D.C. attorney whether the controlling will or other instrument must also change
• ☐ Identify any earlier version that should no longer guide the Personal Representative
• ☐ Keep this memorandum with your will or in a known, accessible location

8. EXECUTION

I sign this Personal Property Memorandum on the date indicated below.

Declarant:

Signature: [________________________________]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

Optional witnesses:

Witness 1:

Signature: [________________________________]
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

Witness 2:

Signature: [________________________________]
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

9. SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• D.C. Code § 18-103 — Execution of written will
• D.C. Code § 18-109 — Revocation of wills; revival
• D.C. Superior Court, Probate Division: https://www.dccourts.gov

This memorandum records wishes and does not itself make testamentary gifts. Consult a D.C. attorney to implement binding dispositions.