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Probate in Maryland · 24 counties

Maryland Probate Courts

Estates here go through the Orphans' Court / Register of Wills. Pick a county on the map or search below — each record shows where to file and where every detail comes from.

Small-estate limit
$50,000
No statutory wait
Death taxes
Yes
Estate + inheritance tax
Executor fee
Statute
Percentage set by statute
Handwritten wills
No
Witnesses required
Plate · MD

Every Maryland county, on one map

Population, low → high courthouse probate office checked
§ I

Maryland probate rules

Court
Orphans' Court / Register of WillsIn Maryland, probate is administered by the Register of Wills and the Orphans' Court in each of the 23 counties and Baltimore City. The Orphans' Court is Maryland's specialized court for wills and estates.
Small estates
$50,000 ($100,000 if surviving spouse is sole legatee/heir) - small estate administration, not an affidavitMd. Code, Est. & Trusts § 5-601
Filing the will
No fixed deadline: after death the custodian must deliver the will to the Register of Wills (Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 4-203)
Creditor claims
6 months from the date of decedent's death, or 2 months after direct noticeMd. Code, Est. & Trusts § 8-103
Executor fees
Statutory Commission Sliding Scale: 9% on first $20,000 + 3.6% on balance over $20,000 (Md. Code Est. & Trusts § 7-601)Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-601 · calculator
Estate tax
Yes — exemption $5 millionMaryland imposes an estate tax on estates exceeding $5.0 million (top rate 16%). Maryland is the ONLY state with both an estate tax and an inheritance tax.
Inheritance tax
YesMaryland imposes a 10% inheritance tax on transfers to collateral heirs (siblings, nieces, nephews, friends). Direct lineal relatives (spouse, children, grandchildren) are exempt.
Typical duration
9 to 15 months
Official courts site
registers.maryland.govCase search: Maryland Register of Wills Estate Search Portal

Re-checked Sept 2026 against: law.justia.com (statute) · registers.maryland.gov

Need help with an estate in Maryland?

Where to get help.

We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.

  1. 01 Maryland courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
  2. 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
  3. 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
§ II · Register

All 24 counties

Sorted by population. office checked = probate office address/phone confirmed on the court's own website. courthouse mapped = located in OpenStreetMap.

#CountySeatPopulationRecord
1 Montgomery County Rockville 1,058,474 office checked
2 Prince George's County Upper Marlboro 947,430 office checked
3 Baltimore County Towson 844,703 office checked
4 Anne Arundel County Annapolis 594,582 office checked
5 Baltimore city Baltimore 565,239 county site
6 Howard County Ellicott 336,001 courthouse mapped
7 Frederick County Frederick 293,391 courthouse mapped
8 Harford County Bel Air 264,644 courthouse mapped
9 Carroll County Westminster 176,639 courthouse mapped
10 Charles County La Plata 171,973 courthouse mapped
11 Washington County Hagerstown 155,813 courthouse mapped
12 St. Mary's County Leonardtown 115,281 county site
13 Cecil County Elkton 105,672 courthouse mapped
14 Wicomico County Salisbury 104,800 courthouse mapped
15 Calvert County Prince Frederick 94,728 courthouse mapped
16 Allegany County Cumberland 67,273 courthouse mapped
17 Worcester County Snow Hill 54,171 courthouse mapped
18 Queen Anne's County Centreville 52,508 courthouse mapped
19 Talbot County Easton 37,823 courthouse mapped
20 Caroline County Denton 33,593 courthouse mapped
21 Dorchester County Cambridge 32,879 courthouse mapped
22 Garrett County Oakland 28,423 courthouse mapped
23 Somerset County Princess Anne 24,910 courthouse mapped
24 Kent County Chestertown 19,303 courthouse mapped
§ III

Maryland probate questions

What is the small estate affidavit limit in Maryland?
$50,000 ($100,000 if surviving spouse is sole legatee/heir) - small estate administration, not an affidavit (Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 5-601). There is no statutory waiting period. Gross value of probate property must not exceed $50,000 (or $100,000 if surviving spouse is sole heir). Simplified petition filed with Register of Wills.
How are executor and administrator fees calculated in Maryland?
Statutory Commission Sliding Scale: 9% on first $20,000 + 3.6% on balance over $20,000 (Md. Code Est. & Trusts § 7-601) (Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-601). Courts can award more for extraordinary services, such as running a business or litigation.
What is the creditor claim deadline for estates in Maryland?
6 months from the date of decedent's death, or 2 months after direct notice (Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 8-103). Claims filed after the deadline are generally barred.
Does Maryland recognize handwritten (holographic) wills?
No — witnesses are required. Maryland recognizes holographic wills ONLY if executed by individuals in actual military service outside the US, and expires one year after discharge (Md. Code ET § 4-103).
Does Maryland have a state estate tax or inheritance tax?
Yes, Maryland taxes estates above $5 million. Maryland imposes an estate tax on estates exceeding $5.0 million (top rate 16%). Maryland is the ONLY state with both an estate tax and an inheritance tax. It also has an inheritance tax paid by heirs. Maryland imposes a 10% inheritance tax on transfers to collateral heirs (siblings, nieces, nephews, friends). Direct lineal relatives (spouse, children, grandchildren) are exempt.