How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children in Maryland?
In Maryland, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a willMd. Code, Est. & Trusts §§ 13–701, 13–702, 13–201, 13–207Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18Md. Code, Gen. Provisions § 1–401Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
In Maryland, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a willMd. Code, Est. & Trusts §§ 13–701, 13–702, 13–201, 13–207Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. It needs your signature, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18Md. Code, Gen. Provisions § 1–401Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. It can be recorded alongside the rest of an estate plan when you create a revocable living trust.
When a parent has named a guardian, the court must appoint the guardian the parent namedMd. Code, Est. & Trusts §§ 13–701, 13–702, 13–201, 13–207Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. A backup guardian named in the same document applies if the first choice cannot serve.
No. Maryland makes the guardian nomination through a will or the guardianship petition rather than a standalone declarationMd. Code, Est. & Trusts §§ 13–701, 13–702, 13–201, 13–207Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; a guardian is named in the will or in the guardianship petition.
Yes. Maryland allows a Standby Guardian Designation (parental written designation), under which any adult can be authorized for a limited time (up to 6 months) without transferring custodyMd. Code, Est. & Trusts § 13–904Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
In Maryland, a child 14 or older may choose their guardian, subject to the court's approvalMd. Code, Est. & Trusts § 13–702Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
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Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
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New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
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Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreForms for Planning Your Estate in Maryland
Free forms for planning your estate in Maryland: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
In Maryland, a will is signed before 2Md. Est. & Trusts § 4-102Verified Sep 16, 2026View source witnesses, and it is self-proved when properly executedMd. Est. & Trusts § 4-102Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Maryland requires 2Md. Health-General Code Ann. § 5-603Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not requiredMd. Health-General Code Ann. § 5-603Verified Oct 15, 2026View source.
Financial Power of Attorney
Maryland treats a power of attorney as durable by defaultMd. Code, Est. & Trusts §§ 17-101 to 17-116, §§ 17-201 to 17-204; Md. Code, Real Prop. § 4-107; Md. Code, Gen. Prov. § 1-401Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, and it is signed before 2Md. Code, Est. & Trusts §§ 17-101 to 17-116, §§ 17-201 to 17-204; Md. Code, Real Prop. § 4-107; Md. Code, Gen. Prov. § 1-401Verified Sep 18, 2026View source witnesses and a notary.
Transfer on Death Deed
In Maryland, a transfer-on-death deed is signed before a notaryMd. Code, Real Prop. §§ 14-1001 to 14-1014Verified Oct 1, 2026, then recorded with the county before the owner's deathMd. Code, Real Prop. §§ 14-1001 to 14-1014Verified Oct 1, 2026.
Vehicle Transfer on Death
Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle at death without probate. Available in 26 states and the District of Columbia.
Living Will
In Maryland, the living will is the Maryland Advance Directive: Planning for Future Health Care Decisions (Part II: Treatment Preferences ("Living Will"))Md. Code, Health-Gen. Title 5, Subtitle 6, Part I (Health Care Decisions Act), §§ 5-601 to 5-618; Part II (Advance Directive Program), §§ 5-619 to 5-626Verified Sep 27, 2026View source, a written instruction that is valid with no agent named.
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.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
An attorney-prepared will in Maryland runs $1,110Estimate: 3 hours at $370, Clio's Maryland Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,220Estimate: 6 hours at $370, Clio's Maryland Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $33,231Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
In Maryland, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 2.1%Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.3%Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Maryland runs $4,250Estimate: 10 hours at $425, Clio's Maryland Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $6,375Estimate: 15 hours at $425, Clio's Maryland Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $1,110Estimate: 3 hours at $370, Clio's Maryland Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,220Estimate: 6 hours at $370, Clio's Maryland Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
In Maryland, four years at a public university cost about $95,872NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 330.20, public 4-year in-state tuition, fees, room and board, academic year 2022-23Verified Oct 3, 2026View source and the cost of living is near the U.S. averageBEA Regional Price Parities, all items, by state, 2024Verified Oct 3, 2026View source; the state levies an estate taxMd. Tax-Gen. § 7-309Verified Sep 15, 2026View source above $5,000,000Md. Tax-Gen. § 7-309Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
Maryland does not revoke an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceMd. Code, Est. & Trusts § 4-105; § 14.5-604; § 17-112Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Maryland costs an estimated $33,231Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.1%Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.3%Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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Maryland Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Maryland probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.