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My Parent Inherited a Home in Maryland but Never Changed the Deed—What Now?

This is a common situation. Your mother inherits a house but never updates the property deed. And then she passes away. What now? Even though your mother may not have updated the deed, by Maryland law she is still considered the property owner.   If your mother had a will, the house would pass to […]

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Common Title Issues That Can Affect Your Property in Maryland

Whether buying or inheriting a property, you might assume that once the deed is signed, notarized, and recorded, you’re all set. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Title issues often go unnoticed and can create costly and annoying legal complications. Here are a few of the more common title issues that we have encountered: […]

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Charles County Recordation Tax Set to Increase in July of 2025

Charles County’s commissioners recently voted to increase the recordation tax from $5 to $7 per $500. This tax increase, which goes into effect on July 25, 2025, applies only to properties being sold. The vote to amend Section 281-1 of the Charles County Code took place on June 10, 2025.     Fortunately, the same […]

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Do Not Pay For a Copy of Your Maryland Property Deed

If you have recently transferred the ownership of a property title, you may have received a mailing from a company called Property Records offering a property profile along with “a copy of the only document that identifies [you] as the property owner of [your address], by a recently recorded transferred property title.” Many of our […]

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What Is a Lien Certificate and Why Do I Need One When Transferring My Baltimore City or County Property Title?

A lien certificate is a document issued by the city or county finance office that identifies municipal charges owed to the city or county. A lien certificate will state any outstanding taxes or utilities owed, as well as any property violations and unpaid citations. Note that neither the city nor the county will record a […]

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Do I Need to Update My Maryland Property Deed if My Name Has Changed?

The simple answer is no. Maryland law does not require a new deed to reflect your name change. However, you can avoid complications by doing so, especially if you decide to sell or refinance your property. Name consistency across all legal documents can make life easier for you.   If you decide to change your […]

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How Do I Establish Domestic Partnership to Avoid Property Deed Transfer Taxes in Maryland?

If you are considering adding or removing a domestic partner from a property deed, and would like to avoid transfer taxes, you will need to provide proof of domestic partnership. Maryland state law allows for eleven ways to prove domestic partnership.    1. A joint housing lease or joint liability for a mortgage or other […]

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How Do I Fix an Imperfect Deed in Maryland?

Imperfect deeds can impact a title and, consequently, your rights of ownership. Common errors that render a deed imperfect include insufficient legal descriptions, incorrect or misspelled names, missing witnesses, or the lack of a notary stamp.   While the original deed in Maryland cannot be amended, a confirmatory deed can be executed and recorded, providing […]

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What Happens To Property After Divorce In Maryland?

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In Maryland, a married couple may own property together as tenants by the entirety. In order for a tenancy by the entirety to exist, the following five conditions must exist: 1. Tenants must acquire the property at the same time. 2. Tenants must have equal interest in the property. 3. Tenants must acquire title by […]

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May 15, 2019 – Baltimore City Office of Finance Hacked, Deed Recording Delays

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We recently learned that the computer system at the Baltimore City Office of Finance has been hacked, causing the City of Baltimore to shut down the computer systems for the Tax and Land Records and the Office of Finance indefinitely. As a result, Baltimore City is unable to issue lien certifications, utility bills, or tax […]

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