The Hierarchy of Payments From an Estate in Maryland

During the process of administering an estate, you might discover that the assets in the estate are not sufficient to pay all claims made against the estate. If you find yourself in this situation as a Personal Representative, Maryland law specifies a hierarchy of payments. The hierarchy is as follows:

1. Fees due to the Register of Wills;
2. Costs and expenses of administration;
3. Funeral expenses;
4. Compensation of Personal Representatives, legal services, and commissions of licensed real estate brokers;
5. Family allowance;
6. Taxes due by the decedent;
7. Reasonable medical, hospital, and nursing expenses of the last illness of the decedent;
8. Rent payable by the decedent for not more than three months in arrears;
9. Wages, salaries, or commission for services performed for the decedent within three months prior to death of the decedent;
10. Assistance paid under the Public Assistance to Adults Program; and
11. All other claims. 

For a free, confidential conversation to discuss estate administration or the probate process in general, contact Maryland estate attorney Stephen J. Reichert at 410-299-4959 or sreichert@reichertlegal.com.

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