free advice on someone who died and their estate from an lawyer in maryland

by Bill Kilback III 4 min read

For a free, confidential conversation to discuss these and other estate planning matters, contact Maryland estate planning attorney Stephen J. Reichert at 410-299-4959, sreichert@reichertlegal.com or here. Important documents will be needed when entering the probate or settlement process.

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How can a Maryland probate attorney help me?

This is part 4 of our series on the probate process in Maryland, brought to you by the Gormley Law Office, a full-service probate law firm in Kensington, Maryland. We represent clients across Maryland and in Washington, DC. Whether you need a simple will, or a full estate plan, our experienced attorneys can help! Call us today at 1.240.514.2358.

What does an executor of an estate do in Maryland?

Probate usually involves the qualification of an individual to serve as a personal representative and the court process that is required to administer the estate of the decedent. In Maryland, the only assets that are ‘probated’ are those that are in the decedent’s sole name on the date of the death without a beneficiary designation. However, all the assets in the decedent’s control may …

What happens if you die without a will in Maryland?

Jan 09, 2013 ·

How can an attorney help an executor of a will?

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How long does an executor have to settle an estate in Maryland?

This time period varies from state to state as well, but it is generally six to nine months.Nov 1, 2016

How long after a deceased estate take to settle?

Probate typically takes 9-12 months to settle an estate. However, it can sometimes take longer if, for example, there is a property to sell, complex Inheritance, Income or Capital Gains Tax affairs to resolve or there are complications regarding the personal representatives or beneficiaries of the estate.

How much does an estate have to be worth to go to probate in Maryland?

Maryland offers a simplified probate procedure for smaller estates. The simplified procedure is available if the property subject to probate has a value of $50,000 or less. If the surviving spouse is the only beneficiary, the cap goes up to $100,000 or less.Feb 4, 2020

How do I file an estate claim in Maryland?

A creditor may present a claim against an estate by filing it in the Register of Wills office and serving a copy on the personal representative or filing a lawsuit.Jan 17, 2022

Should I place a deceased estates notice?

Why is it important to place a deceased estates notice? Placing a deceased estates notice ensures that enough effort has been made to locate creditors before distributing an estate to beneficiaries. This protects the executor, as well as the trustee, from being liable for any unidentified creditors.

How is a deceased estate distributed?

If the deceased did not have a spouse or children, his/her parents, aunts/uncles and/or siblings will inherit from his/her deceased estate. If the deceased did not have a spouse, children, parents, aunts/uncles and siblings, his/her relatives most closely related to him/her will inherit in equal shares.

How long do you have to file probate after death in Maryland?

How Long Does Probate in Maryland Take? Probate in Maryland can take a year or longer. Creditors have six months from the date of death to submit a claim. Once the assets have been distributed, probate must remain open for at least six months to allow for a creditor to come forward.

What happens if you dont probate a will?

What Happens If You Never Go to Probate? If Probate is necessary but never established, beneficiaries will not receive their inheritance or assets. The assets of the deceased person will be held by the state and frozen as there are no legal beneficiaries of the assets.

Does an estate have to go to probate?

If you are named in someone's will as an executor, you may have to apply for probate. This is a legal document which gives you the authority to share out the estate of the person who has died according to the instructions in the will. You do not always need probate to be able to deal with the estate.

What is the cost of probate in Maryland?

Regular Estate Probate FeeIF THE VALUE OF THE (REGULAR) PROBATE ESTATE IS AT LEASTBUT IS LESS THANTHE FEE IS$10,000$20,000$100$20,000$50,000$150$50,000$75,000$200$75,000$100,000$3008 more rows

What happens if someone dies without a will in Maryland?

If a person owns assets in his or her individual name and dies without a Will, assets remaining after payment of administration expenses, debts and taxes (if any) are distributed to the person's heirs as provided under Maryland Intestacy Laws (the person is said to have died “intestate”).

How do I avoid probate in Maryland?

In Maryland, you can make a living trust to avoid probate for virtually any asset you own—real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and so on. You need to create a trust document (it's similar to a will), naming someone to take over as trustee after your death (called a successor trustee).

What does it mean when someone dies without a will?

That is called “dying intestate ” and means a person died without a will. Under Maryland law, if there is no will, the intestate laws of the State of Maryland, (which are subject to change – that’s why it’s important to consult with a probate attorney in Maryland!), will determine the distribution of probate assets.

What happens if no relatives survive?

If no relatives (brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, etc.) survive, the assets will be distributed to the Board of Education in the jurisdiction where the estate was administered. So, based on the laws, you can also see why so many people plan ahead through estate planning.

How is distribution determined?

Distribution is determined by the relationship of the surviving heirs of the decedent. If a spouse and minor child/children survive, the spouse receives only one-half of the probate assets and the child/children receive the other one-half. If there are no surviving minor children but other surviving children or parents, ...

What can an attorney do for a deceased person?

An attorney can also assist in marshaling all of the assets, valuing the assets as of the date of the death, coordinating to value real estate, tangible personal property, and the decedent’s business interests.

What does an attorney do for an estate?

The attorney advises the client about his or her duties as the personal representative. An attorney may assist with marshaling of the assets, valuing of the assets and preparation of estate tax returns, as well as making a plan for the distribution when the estate is nearing its close. A lawyer may also assist with preparation ...

What is probate in Maryland?

Probate is the legal proceeding initiated to administer a decedent’s estate. You may be nominated in a decedent’s last will and testament to serve as a personal representative, or executor of the estate. In the event that the decedent dies without a last will and testament, it may be necessary to consult with the family or the heirs of the decedent to determine who may serve as the personal representative. A Maryland probate attorney can assist the personal representative or the family of the deceased after the decedent’s death. Attorneys can help clarify the role of the executor in Maryland probate proceedings and provide guidance on the immediate items, such as considering what funds to use to pay the funeral expenses, as well as offer tips on securing the decedent’s assets immediately after death.

What is the role of executor in Maryland?

A personal representative’s primary duties include marshaling the estate assets upon the decedent’s death, paying, debts, expenses and taxes, and then making distribution pursuant to Maryland law or the decedent’s last will and testament.

Can a Maryland attorney assist with probate?

Maryland attorneys with experience in probate administration can assist personal representatives with all aspects of the estate administration. For example, they can assist personal representatives with estates who live outside of the state of Maryland so that they do not need to travel to Maryland to administer the estate.

What is probate in Maryland?

Probate is the process of distributing a person's property after his death according to his wishes as recorded in his last will, or, if the person died without a will, according to Maryland law. Before opening an estate in court, it is necessary to determine what type of probate is necessary. Regular estates are required to proceed through ...

How does probate work?

The probate process begins with a petition for the appointment of the personal representative to oversee the probate process. Anyone who knows the deceased wanted him/her to act as the estate personal representative may request that the court give her the designation, or a family member may ask the court to assign the duty to someone, ...

Does a personal representative have to post a bond in Maryland?

The personal representative must also post a bond before she may act as the personal representative. Unlike some other jurisdictions, Maryland does not allow the will to relieve the representative from having to post a bond. References. Maryland Register of Wills: Administering Estates in Maryland. Maryland Register of Wills.

Who is the personal representative of a deceased person?

It's conducted by the estate's "personal representative"–the executor named in the deceased person's will or, if there is no will, an administrator appointed by the court. Usually, the surviving spouse or an adult child is the personal representative.

How long do you have to file a death claim?

The notice will advise you to make a claim by a certain deadline, set by law. You will probably have at least one or two months in which to file your claim. If you don't get a notice of the death, you can still submit a claim.

Can you sue someone who has died?

Learn the rules for suing someone who has died. You can still file a lawsuit or collect a judgment even if the defendant has died. You will direct your efforts at the deceased person's estate–that is, the property the person left behind. And you must act promptly; if you don't, your claim may be barred by law.

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Becoming An Executor

Executor’s Role in Maryland Probate Proceedings

  • An executor, called personal representative in Maryland, has an important role in the estate administration process. A personal representative’s primary duties include marshaling the estate assets upon the decedent’s death, paying, debts, expenses and taxes, and then making distribution pursuant to Maryland law or the decedent’s last will and testa...
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How An Attorney Can Help Throughout The Process

  • It is often prudent to hire a lawyer as soon as possible after the death of a loved one. There may be estate planningand post-mortem estate planning opportunities that need to be preserved. Additionally, the assets or the real estate of the decedent may also need to be preserved after the personal representative is formally appointed by the court. An attorney may be able to assist th…
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