Maryland: Should You Open Probate in the State Where a Parent Died or Where They Lived?
Understanding Where to Open Probate — Maryland FAQ Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article explains general principles of Maryland probate law to help you decide whether to open probate in another state. This is educational information and not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in the relevant states before acting. Detailed Answer — […]
Read article →Maryland: How to Clear Creditor Claims Before Selling a Parent’s Estate Home
How to clear creditor claims before selling a parent’s estate home in Maryland Short answer: Before you can confidently sell a decedent’s home in Maryland, the estate must be administered so creditors have a fair chance to present claims, any valid claims and liens must be resolved, and the personal representative must obtain authority to […]
Read article →Retitling a Deceased Parent’s Car in Maryland: Step-by-Step FAQ
Detailed Answer Short answer: To retitle a car owned by a deceased parent in Maryland you will need to identify how the vehicle was owned, gather the death certificate and the vehicle title, and then either use the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) process for transfers after death, or present the legal documents (letters testamentary, […]
Read article →Maryland — Who Receives Leftover Sale Proceeds When Someone Dies Intestate
Detailed answer — how leftover sale proceeds are handled in Maryland when someone dies without a will If a person dies in Maryland without a will (intestate), what happens to any leftover proceeds from the sale of their property depends on three main things: (1) how title to the property was held before death, (2) […]
Read article →Maryland: What To Do When a Proposed Administrator Withholds Estate Documents
Short answer: Under Maryland law, a personal representative (administrator or executor) owes duties to the estate and interested persons. If a proposed administrator is withholding asset information or estate documents, you can demand records, request a formal inventory or accounting through the Register of Wills or the probate court, and — if necessary — ask […]
Read article →Maryland — How to Challenge a Sibling’s Application for Letters of Administration
Detailed Answer: How to formally challenge a sibling’s application for letters of administration in Maryland Short answer: In Maryland you can challenge a sibling’s application by (1) confirming the probate filing with the county Register of Wills, (2) establishing your legal interest (standing), (3) filing a written objection or petition with the Register of Wills […]
Read article →Maryland: Forcing Sale of a House and Distribution of Proceeds Under a Will — What You Need to Know
What to do when a surviving spouse refuses to transfer or sell the family home under a will — Maryland guide Quick overview If someone dies and their will directs that the house be sold and proceeds distributed, but the surviving spouse will not cooperate, the path forward depends on how the house is owned […]
Read article →How to Recover a Cash Bequest from a Sibling’s Estate in Maryland
Detailed Answer — Steps to recover a cash bequest from a sibling’s estate when the executor won’t cooperate (Maryland) Short answer: If an executor refuses to pay a valid cash bequest in Maryland, you can demand an accounting, petition the Orphans’ Court to compel distribution or to remove/surcharge the executor, and, if necessary, seek collection […]
Read article →Maryland — How to File a Notice to Creditors in Probate
Detailed Answer When someone dies in Maryland, the decedent's estate may owe money to creditors. A Notice to Creditors is the formal process personal representatives (also called executors or administrators) use to notify known and unknown creditors that the estate is open and that claims should be presented. The notice starts the clock for creditors […]
Read article →Maryland: How to Get Appointed Executor When the Named Sibling Refuses to Serve
What to do if the person named as executor refuses to serve Short answer: In Maryland, if the person your parent named as executor (personal representative) refuses or is unable to serve, the probate court can appoint the alternate named in the will. If there is no alternate, the court will appoint another person according […]
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