How Much Does Probate Cost in Prince George's County, Maryland?

Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Prince George's County can expect.

Overview Getting StartedCosts & FeesHow to File Find Attorneys

Probate in Prince George's County, Maryland runs through the Register of Wills at Courthouse, 14735 Main Street, Room D4001, Upper Marlboro. The total cost depends on the estate's size, whether the will is contested, and how much professional help the executor uses.

Probate matters are handled through the Auditing Department. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.

Local procedures at this court: As of December 2, 2024, the office operates by appointments only. Maximum 2 persons per appointment. Arrive 20 minutes early for parking/building entry; Drop-off box available at the Commissioner's Entrance of the Courthouse. Required documents checklist available upon request; Wheelchair accommodations available upon advance notice. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.

Maryland charges $0 - $10,000+ (based on estate value) to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Maryland are negotiated, typically 2% to 4% of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Executor compensation is also statutory in Maryland. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Maryland requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5% of estate value annually.

Probate in Maryland typically runs 9 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout. The 6 months creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated April 15, 2026

Legal Sources

Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 2-206(b)(2)
Md. Est. & Trusts § 5-601
Md. Est. & Trusts § 6-102
Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
Md. Est. & Trusts § 8-103

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Prince George's County, that means filing fees (about $200 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.

The petition to open probate costs about $200 in Prince George's County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.

Maryland uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.

Maryland caps executor compensation by statute — the same schedule used for attorney fees in many states. Executors can waive this fee, which often makes sense for family members who are also beneficiaries.

Yes. Maryland estates under $50,000 can use a Petition for Administration of Small Estate and avoid most probate costs. Check the Maryland self-filing assessment to see if this applies.

A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Prince George's County probate.

Register of Wills

Prince George's County

Courthouse, 14735 Main Street, Room D4001

Upper Marlboro, MD 20773

Phone:

301-952-3250

Fax:

301-952-4489

Email:

rowprincegeorges@registers.maryland.gov

Hours:

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Visit Court Website →

Paper Filing Available

Notify Banks & Financial Institutions

Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.

Ameris Bank

Bank serving the Southeast and Northeast

Ameris Bank

Andrews FCU

Credit Union serving the Northeast and Southeast

Andrews FCU

Atlantic Union

Bank serving the Northeast and Southeast

Atlantic Union

Cathay Bank

Bank serving the Northeast, West, and more

Cathay Bank

Citadel

Credit Union serving the Northeast, Midwest, and more

Citadel

Citizens Bank

Bank serving the Northeast, Southeast, and more

Citizens Bank

Congressional FCU

Credit Union serving District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland

Congressional FCU

CSAA Insurance

Insurance Company serving the West, Northeast, and more

CSAA Insurance

Del-One

Credit Union serving Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania

Del-One

EagleBank

Bank serving Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia

EagleBank

Erie Insurance

Insurance Company serving the Southeast, Midwest, and more

Erie Insurance

First National Bank

Bank serving the Southeast, Northeast, and more

First National Bank

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