Powers and duties of Register of Wills; restrictions; penalties

§ 11–505. Powers and duties of Register of Wills; restrictions; penalties (a) The Register of Wills may: (1) receive inventories and accounts of sales, examine vouchers, and state accounts of executors, administrators, collectors, and guardians, subject to final approval by the court; (2) take the probate of claims against the estates of deceased persons that are properly brought before him, and approve or reject claims not exceeding $300; and (3) take the probate of wills and accept the bonds of executors, administrators, collectors, and guardians, subject to approval by the court. (b) In matters over which the court has jurisdiction or exercises powers as the Probate Court, the Register of Wills shall: (1) make full and fair entries of the proceedings of the Court; (2) make a fair record in a strong-bound book of all wills proved before him or the court, and of other matters required by law to be recorded in the court; (3) lodge original papers filed with him in a place of safety appointed by the court; (4) make out and issue every summons, process, and order of the court; (5) make fair tables of his fees, and post them in a conspicuous place in his office for the inspection of persons having business therein; (6) in every respect, act under the control and direction of the court; and (7) pay into the treasury all fees, costs, and other moneys collected by him, except uncollected fees not required by law to be prepaid, and make returns thereof to the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts under regulations prescribed by the Director. (c) The Register of Wills may not: (1) practice law in any court of the District or of the United States; or (2) demand or receive any fee, gratuity, gift, or reward, for giving his advice in any matter relating to his office. (d) The Register of Wills shall forfeit the sum of $10 for each day that the tables referred to in clause (5) of subsection (b) of this section are missing through his neglect, which may be recovered as other debts for the same amount are recoverable. Of the amount so paid or recovered, one-half shall be for the use of the District, and one-half shall be for the use of the informer. 77 Stat. 482 (e) If the Register of Wills or a person acting for him takes a greater fee than the fee provided for by law, he shall pay to the party injured $50, which may be recovered as other debts for the same amount are recoverable.