Free Maryland Transfer on Death Deed

In Maryland, a transfer-on-death deed is signed before a notary, then recorded with the county before the owner's death.

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Owner Information

Enter your information as the property owner (transferor). If the property is jointly owned, you’ll add the second owner below.

How is the property owned?*

Choose “Jointly owned” if two people are on the title (e.g. spouses as joint tenants or tenants by the entirety). Both owners must sign.

I am the sole ownerJointly owned with one other person

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Street Address*

City*

State*

ZIP Code*

State Where Property Is Located*

County Where Property Is Located*

Email Address*

Phone Number*

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Maryland provides a statutory form, and a deed in substantially that form is accepted. The deed must state that the transfer to the designated beneficiary is to occur at the transferor's death.

A Maryland transfer-on-death deed is recorded with the Department of Land Records, Clerk of the Circuit Court for the county where the property sits and must be on record before the owner's death to take effect. Recording a Maryland transfer-on-death deed, or a revocation of one, does not require the tax collector's certificate under Real Property section 3-104(b) or the county assessment office endorsement under section 3-104(g)(8).

Co-owners may sign one deed together. The deed is signed by every owner whose interest it transfers.

Maryland lapses the share of a beneficiary who dies before the owner. The deed can name a successor beneficiary to take in that case.

The beneficiary takes the property subject to the mortgages, liens and other encumbrances on it at death. The Act does not address Medicaid estate recovery specifically. The deed moves this parcel alone; a revocable living trust set up with SimplyTrust carries the rest of the estate.

Maryland Transfer on Death Deed

Maryland allows transfer on death deeds, which transfer real property directly to a named beneficiary at death without probate. The deed is revocable during the owner's lifetime and does not affect the ability to sell, mortgage, or otherwise use the property.

Probate in Maryland takes at least 6 months for simple estates. A TOD deed eliminates probate for the property it covers, regardless of value. For estates under $50,000, simplified procedures exist, but they still involve court paperwork. Compare the costs with the Maryland probate calculator.

A TOD deed covers only real property and requires a separate deed for each parcel. A revocable trust covers all asset types in a single document and avoids probate for everything it holds. For families with multiple assets beyond real estate, the trust vs. will comparison shows the trade-offs.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated October 17, 2026

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Maryland statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Free forms for planning your estate in Maryland: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.

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Tools for Planning Your Estate in Maryland

Free tools for planning your estate in Maryland: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.

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Maryland authorizes transfer on death deeds: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.

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Maryland Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Maryland probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

Free Maryland Transfer on Death Deed

In Maryland, a transfer-on-death deed is signed before a notary, then recorded with the county before the owner's death.

Progress0%

Maryland Transfer on Death Deed

Free Maryland Transfer on Death Deed

Owner Information

Is this your situation?

New Home

Retirement

Forms for Planning Your Estate in Maryland

Healthcare Power of Attorney

Financial Power of Attorney

Vehicle Transfer on Death

Living Will

Last Will and Testament

Tools for Planning Your Estate in Maryland

Do I Need a TOD Deed?

Do I Need a Vehicle TOD?

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?

How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

How Much Does Probate Cost?

When you're ready, we're here.

Maryland Estate Planning Resources

Free Maryland Transfer on Death Deed

Owner Information