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What Happens with Your Debt When You Die in Maryland?

The passing of a loved one is a challenging and emotional time, and dealing with their financial affairs can be equally daunting. It’s important to understand the legal and financial processes that can happen when a person passes away and leaves behind debt.   Estate Administration Process   In Maryland, when a person passes away, […]

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Must I Open a Maryland Probate Estate if the Only Asset is a Motor Vehicle?

If the motor vehicle is co-owned, and the other owner is alive, then the vehicle will not be subject to a probate estate. However, if the vehicle is in the decedent’s name only, with no surviving co-owner, then a probate estate is necessary. If the vehicle is worth less than $50,000 then a small estate […]

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My Spouse Died Without a Will in Maryland, Can I Manage Their Estate?

In Maryland, if you are married at the time of your spouse’s death, then you may have an interest in being the personal representative of the estate and inheriting their property. However, if your spouse has adult children, they may also have a property interest. Or, there may be a shared property interest depending on […]

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May a Personal Representative or Trustee Demand a Release?

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Yes, a Personal Representative may demand a release in the absence of a state statute that says otherwise. Generally, the Maryland Court of Appeals has decided that so long as the release is not written in such a way as to be one-sided or impermissibly favors the trustee’s interest over the beneficiaries, releases that absolve […]

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What Happens to Your Student Loans After You Die?

If you’re struggling to pay off your student loans, you might be wondering who will have to pay those loans back in the event that you or a loved one passes. In general, federal student loans (whether signed with or without a co-signer) are discharged upon one’s death. Private loans, however, will largely depend on […]

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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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What if the Personal Representative of the Estate is Deceased?

If you want to assume the place of the Personal Representative due to unforeseen reasons, the matter must be addressed by the court. If the Principle is deceased and the Personal Representative is incapable of performing the duties then we must petition the court in the county of the estate. Until the court rules, no […]

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How do I Claim a Deceased Relatives’ Unclaimed Property?

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If you need to claim property that is within the state of Maryland, then you will need to have a claim filed with the Comptroller of Maryland. Additional documentation is needed for proof. The documentation needs to include two forms of identification, and items such as bank account information and insurance proceeds. Depending on the […]

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Maryland Probate; Should I File a Small or Regular Estate?

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In order to know how to file an estate, one must know the value of the estate. If the estate is valued at $50,000 or less, then you should file it as a small estate. Also, if the spouse is the sole legatee or heir then a small estate can be up to $100,000. For […]

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How is Property Distributed in Maryland if There is No Will?

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After the assets are used to pay estate expenses, debt, and taxes, the rest can be distributed to the closest living heirs. This is done according to Maryland’s intestacy laws. In Maryland, typically a surviving spouse and children would be given priority. If there is no surviving spouse then children would receive the assets equally. […]

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