What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate in Maryland?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for the Maryland estate inventory — what furniture, electronics, and appliances would sell for today, not what was paid.
Personal property in Maryland is valued at fair market value: what the item would sell for on the open market as of the date of death, not what it cost. Most household goods (furniture, electronics, clothing) resell for a small fraction of their purchase price. Art, collectibles, jewelry and other high-value items are valued by a professional appraisal. Maryland requires a formal appraisal of estate propertyET §§ 7-201, 7-202, 7-203Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
No. An executor in Maryland can group low-value household goods into a single inventory line, such as "household furnishings and personal effects", while jewelry, art, vehicles and collectibles are listed individually. Each value is fair market value as of the date of death.
In Maryland, the executor files the estate inventory within 90 daysET §§ 7-201, 7-202, 7-203Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment. Maryland requires a supplemental inventory for assets discovered laterET §§ 7-201, 7-202, 7-203Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
In Maryland, estates valued at $50,000Md. Est. & Trusts § 5-601Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less qualify for the Petition for Administration of Small EstateMd. Est. & Trusts § 5-601Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, a court procedure short of full probate. An inventory at fair market value is what decides whether the estate falls under the line.
High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry and collectibles are appraised by a qualified professional, while ordinary household items (furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing) are valued from comparable sales. Maryland requires a formal appraisal of estate propertyET §§ 7-201, 7-202, 7-203Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate in Maryland
Free forms for settling an estate in Maryland: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Petition for Probate and Letters
In Maryland, the petition asks the Register of Wills to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableMd. Est. & Trusts § 5-301 et seq. (administrative probate; Register of Wills appointment)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Notice to Creditors
In Maryland, the notice to creditors is published for 3Md. Code, Est. & Trusts §§ 7-103, 7-103.1, 8-103, 8-104, 8-105, 8-107Verified Oct 18, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 6 monthsMd. Est. & Trusts § 8-103Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the date of death to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Maryland, a person named as personal representative may renounce the right to serveMd. Code, Est. & Trusts § 5-105(c)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Estate Inventory
In Maryland, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysET §§ 7-201, 7-202, 7-203Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Maryland, the personal representative is discharged by court orderMd. Est. & Trusts §§ 7-501, 7-502, 6-303Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Maryland
Free tools for settling an estate in Maryland: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Maryland sets executor compensation by statute — about $19,080 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 3.8%Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-601Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Can I Self-File Probate?
In Maryland, informal probate is availableMd. Est. & Trusts § 5-301 et seq. (administrative probate; Register of Wills appointment)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Maryland, the Register of Wills appoints the personal representative and the Register of Wills issues Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableMd. Est. & Trusts § 5-301 et seq. (administrative probate; Register of Wills appointment)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Maryland, creditors have 6 monthsMd. Est. & Trusts § 8-103Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the date of death to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Maryland pays the claims in 12Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 8-105Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with fees due to the register.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
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.
Hire a Maryland Probate Attorney
Browse 60 probate firms in Maryland with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
Your kids shouldn't have to do this.
Maryland Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Maryland probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.