How long does it usually take to get an out-of-state will approved in Maryland probate?
How long does it usually take to get an out-of-state will approved in Maryland probate? Detailed answer — admitting an out-of-state will in Maryland (plain-language) Short answer: It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Typical uncontested admissions of an original out-of-state will for a Maryland-domiciled person often complete in 4–12 weeks. […]
Read article →What happens if a survey shows the property was conveyed out of my mother’s estate decades ago and I have no interest? (MD)
Detailed Answer Short answer: If a recent survey (and the recorded deed chain it reflects) shows the property was conveyed out of your mother’s estate decades ago, you likely do not own that parcel today — unless you can show a legal defect in the transfer (for example, a forged deed, fraud, a clerical error, […]
Read article →How do I get the probate court’s permission to sell the property when the clerk’s office won’t explain the filing requirements? (MD)
Getting Probate Court Permission to Sell Property in Maryland Short answer: If you are the personal representative (executor or administrator) of a Maryland estate, you generally must ask the Orphans’ Court (through the Register of Wills in most counties) for authority to sell real property when the will or law does not already give you […]
Read article →Can I recover personal items heirs removed before I took possession and enforce the court's order in MD?
Detailed Answer — Recovering Personal Items Removed by Heirs and Enforcing a Court Order in Maryland Short answer: Yes — you may be able to recover personal property that heirs removed before you took possession, and you can ask a Maryland court to enforce its orders. Which remedy is best depends on who removed the […]
Read article →What steps does an executor in MD need to follow to sell real property to pay estate debts?
Detailed Answer As the personal representative (often called executor) in Maryland, you may need to sell real property to pay estate debts. The process combines statutory duties, court procedures, and practical steps. Below is a clear, step‑by‑step explanation you can follow. This is an educational overview only—not legal advice. 1. Confirm your legal authority to […]
Read article →What Happens to a Safe Deposit Box After Someone Dies in MD?
What happens to a safe deposit box after someone dies in Maryland? This FAQ explains how safe deposit boxes are handled after a renter dies under Maryland law, who can get access, what banks usually require, and practical next steps for family or personal representatives. This is educational information only — not legal advice. Short […]
Read article →When Can an Executor Be Removed in Maryland?
When can an executor (personal representative) be removed under Maryland law? Quick answer: In Maryland, an executor (called a personal representative) can be removed by the Orphans' Court when an interested person shows good cause — for example, incapacity, misconduct, conflict of interest, failure to perform duties, fraud, waste of estate assets, or persistent refusal […]
Read article →Is probate administration required when there is no will in Maryland (MD)?
FAQ: When is probate administration required if there is no will in Maryland? Short answer Not always. In Maryland, dying without a will (intestate) does not automatically mean full probate administration is required. Whether you must open probate depends on the types of assets the decedent owned, how title or beneficiary designations are arranged, and […]
Read article →How can one close an estate bank account and obtain the required closing statement? – MD
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Maryland, closing an estate bank account generally requires (1) authority to act as the personal representative (letters testamentary or letters of administration issued by the Register of Wills or other proof of authority), (2) completing the estate’s financial duties (collecting assets, paying valid debts and expenses, filing required tax returns), […]
Read article →How to properly document and file receipts for payments to heirs or service providers in an estate — MD
How to document and file receipts for payments to heirs or service providers in an estate (Maryland) Short answer: The personal representative (executor or administrator) must keep clear, dated records and original receipts (or reliable substitutes) for every payment from estate funds. Use written receipts or invoices, copies of canceled checks or bank statements, and […]
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