I help you navigate the path of Maryland probate with steadiness.
I am here to help you understand that probate is simply the court-supervised process of settling a loved one’s estate. In Maryland, this is required whenever someone passes away with assets held in their name alone. My role is to walk beside you, managing the legal requirements with steadiness so you can focus on your family.
The Maryland Probate Process: A Calm & Steady Path
Opening the Estate & My Role
Small vs. Regular Estates
I will help you file the initial petition with the Register of Wills to officially begin. Together, we ensure the Personal Representative—the person managing the decedent's affairs—is correctly appointed and understands their legal fiduciary duties from day one.
Maryland law offers different paths based on asset value. I will help you determine if the estate qualifies as a ‘Small Estate’ (typically under $50,000) for a simpler process, or if a ‘Regular Estate’ is necessary, ensuring we follow the correct procedural requirements for your case.
Deadlines & Public Notices
Court Supervision & Accounting
Compliance is essential to protecting the estate. I stay on top of the strict Maryland deadlines for filing inventories and provide the required notices to heirs and creditors, resolving potential claims professionally and humanely to keep the timeline moving forward.
In Regular Estates, the Orphans' Court oversees our progress. I prepare the necessary ‘Accounts’—detailed reports of assets, expenses, and proposed distributions—to give the court and interested persons the clarity they need for a successful and final closure.
What You Need to Begin
• Official Death Certificate: I will need original copies to formally open the estate with the Register of Wills in the appropriate Maryland county.
• List of Assets and Debts: Together, we will gather a clear record of everything from bank accounts and real estate to final bills and outstanding expenses.
• The Original Will: If your loved one left a Will, I will guide you through the process of filing it properly to ensure their final wishes are honored.
• Identification of Heirs: I will help you identify all heirs and interested persons who must be legally notified as the probate process begins.
• Timeline and Potential Disputes: My goal is to keep you ahead of Maryland’s strict deadlines and navigate any family disagreements with care and mediation.
I am here when you are ready to talk.
Navigating the probate process in Maryland requires more than legal paperwork; it requires a calm and steady partner. I invite you to reach out for a private consultation so we can discuss your situation and find a direct path forward with clarity and care.