Free Confidential Consultation. Call Now! 410-299-4959

sreichert@reichertlegal.com

Maryland Probate: Who Distributes The Estate’s Assets?

Post Image

Under Maryland law the named or appointed Personal Representative is responsible for the distribution of the estate assets. To reach the point in the estate administration where the law allows distribution, the Personal Representative must pass several stages and filings and should only distribute assets after approval from the Register of Wills and the Orphans’ […]

Read More

Maryland Probate Fees

Post Image

The county Register of Wills office will assess estate administration fees per Maryland law. The fees are assessed when your attorney files the first account for the estate. Additional fees could be assessed if the value of the estate increases. The estate value is determined by reviewing the value of all assets included in the […]

Read More

Maryland Estate Administration, Valuation of Stocks

Post Image

In Maryland the Information Report and Inventory for an administration probate is due within three months of opening the estate. These must be filed by the attorney and/or the Personal Representative along with proper valuation of all assets and supporting documents and appraisals. Each asset has a particular way of being valued under Maryland law […]

Read More

Maryland Probate: Do I Need a Surety Bond?

Post Image

If you are an individual serving as the Personal Representative of a Maryland estate, the short answer is: yes, you will need to secure a surety bond on behalf of the estate. The bond will be filed and/or presented to the appropriate county Office of the Register of Wills, Estate Administration or Probate Division. If […]

Read More

What Death Taxes are Payable in Maryland?

Post Image

Both the federal and state governments impose taxes upon the property/estate of a decedent. A federal estate tax with graduated rates is imposed on all property interests that the decedent owned at the time of death. The federal estate tax applies to probate assets and also to non-probate assets. For example, joint property and insurance […]

Read More

Maryland Probate: Creditor Filing Deadline

Post Image

How long do creditors have to file a claim against an estate in Maryland? Maryland Estates & Trusts law provides that creditors, except for those otherwise exempt by statute, have six (6) months from the date the decedent died to file claims. All claims against a Maryland estate of a decedent, whether due now or […]

Read More

MD Estate Administration, Obtaining Will Copies

Post Image

Once a will or any other document has been filed with a Maryland estate, copies of those documents can be requested. Each county is different in how they manage the process but all will provide the documents upon request while charging a fee for the document and the number of pages requested. The request should […]

Read More

Distributions From a Maryland Probate Small Estate

Post Image

Under Maryland law the Personal Representative (known in other states as Executor) of the Maryland small estate can begin to make distribution of assets after the time for filing claims has expired. With most Maryland small estates this time period will expire six months after the Personal Representative has been issued Letters of Administration. Distributions […]

Read More

MD Estate Admin: Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Post Image

Once the court or register of wills for the county or city has issued Maryland Letters of Administration for the Personal Representative, or attorney, for the estate, the PR should obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number or EIN. The IRS does not charge a fee and the EIN can be obtained on-line in some instances […]

Read More

Baltimore, Maryland Probate Lawyer: Personal Representative’s Responsibility

Post Image

Clients often ask: as the Personal Representative am I personally responsible for the bills that my loved one received just before passing? Under Maryland law the Personal Representative (known in other states as Executor) of the estate is not personally liable for the decedent’s debt unless the debt was co-owned by the Personal Representative. If […]

Read More