How Do I Get Appointed as Executor in Maryland?
See the appointing court, the petition that opens the estate, what to file, and bond rules to be appointed in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maryland uses Petition for Administration (RW1112), filed with the Register of Wills. Register of Wills issues Letters of Administration after the court grants the petition.
Along with the petition, Maryland generally requires: Proof of death: a death certificate (original or copy); other proof of death if a death certificate is not yet available; Original will and any codicils, if any (filed with the petition); Schedule A (RW1136) for a regular estate; Schedule B (RW1137) for a small estate; List of Interested Persons (RW1104), naming the heirs and legatees with addresses — due no later than 20 days after appointment (Est. & Trusts § 7-104); local offices commonly take it with the petition; Consent to Appointment of Personal Representative (RW1118) from interested persons with equal or higher priority, if the petitioner is not the named/highest-priority person (Est. & Trusts § 5-104); Appointment of Resident Agent (RW1106) if the personal representative resides outside Maryland; Bond unless expressly excused by the will or by written waiver of all interested persons on a Waiver of Bond (RW1117) (Est. & Trusts § 6-102); in a REGULAR estate either a Nominal Bond (RW1116) or a Personal Representative Bond (RW1115) is required in every case.
Yes. Maryland requires a bond by default before Letters issue. A will can waive it. Beneficiaries can also waive it in writing.
Maryland permits self-represented filers to open an estate, using Petition for Administration (RW1112). The Self-File Probate Assessment compares self-filing and attorney costs for Maryland.
Yes. A revocable living trust passes assets to beneficiaries without any court appointment in Maryland — no petition, no Letters, no bond. A revocable trust built with SimplyTrust takes about 15 minutes.
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More tools for settling this estate
Calculators and checklists for navigating probate and estate administration.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Prepare the application to open probate and request Letters Testamentary or of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Prepare the creditor notice for an estate — the official state form or a notice typeset to statute, plus mailed notices for known creditors.
Small Estate Affidavit
Prepare the affidavit that collects a small estate's property without probate — the official state form or an affidavit drafted to statute, plus a presentation letter for each holder.
Estate Inventory
Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.
Estate Closing
Prepare the paperwork that closes the estate — the state's closing statement, petition for discharge, or final account, with the state's closing instructions and the optional federal forms.
Letter of Instruction
Prepare the letter of instruction a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.
Do I Need Probate?
Answer a few questions to find out if an estate needs full probate, qualifies for simplified probate, or can avoid probate entirely with a small estate affidavit.
Hire a Maryland Probate Attorney
Browse 59 probate firms in Maryland with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
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Maryland Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Maryland probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.