Skip to main content
SimplyTrust
SimplyTrust
Create a TrustNewForms & ToolsFreeResourcesStates
LoginGet started
Company
AboutCareersContactFormsCreate a TrustNew
Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSecurityAI Access

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc.

SimplyTrust Logo

Every family deserves a plan. We'll help.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

Forms

  • Revocable Trust
  • Last Will
  • Pour-Over Will
  • Healthcare Proxy
  • Financial POA
  • Transfer on Death Deed

Tools

  • Trust vs Will
  • Probate Calculator
  • Who Inherits
  • Estate Settlement
  • Death Tax Calculator
  • Life Insurance

Learn

  • Revocable Living Trusts
  • Last Will and Testaments
  • Articles
  • State Guides
  • Estate Law
  • Life Events

Directories

  • Law Firms
  • Financial Assets
  • Digital Assets
  • Government Agencies

Company

  • About
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Create a Trust

SimplyTrust is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal counsel, or attorney review. Information on this platform is for general informational purposes only. Use of SimplyTrust does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are solely responsible for all documents you create. For advice tailored to your circumstances, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy·Terms of Service·Security··AI Access

All content, data, and calculations are proprietary. Automated scraping, systematic downloading, or data extraction is prohibited under our Terms of Service. Product visuals are simulated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual experience. Logos provided by Logo.dev.

A will is a wish. A trust is a plan.

Create and manage your trust online.

How it works

No probate. No public record. No court.

Estate Ledger

Every decision signed, timestamped, and hashed

Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing

Download

Get the app on iOS and Android

Home→Tools→Probate Calculator→Maryland

How Much Does Probate Cost in Maryland?

Use our free calculator to estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Probate costs in Maryland typically include attorney fees (based on reasonable compensation determined by the court), executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs.Md. Est. & Trusts § 5-601 (small estate threshold), § 5-602 (small estate procedure), § 5-603 (small estate creditor bar: earlier of 6 months from death or 30 days from notice), § 6-102 (bond), § 7-601 (PR commission ceiling: 9% on first $20K + 3.6% on excess), § 7-602 (attorney reasonable comp), § 7-103 (publication), § 8-103 (regular estate creditor bar); § 2-206 (Register of Wills probate fee schedule); registers.maryland.govVerified May 14, 2026 Total costs generally range from 3-8% of the estate value depending on complexity. Use the executor fee calculator to estimate executor compensation separately.

Maryland allows estates valued at $50,000 or less to use a Petition for Administration of Small Estate, which avoids formal probate.Md. Est. & Trusts § 5-601 (small estate threshold), § 5-602 (small estate procedure), § 5-603 (small estate creditor bar: earlier of 6 months from death or 30 days from notice), § 6-102 (bond), § 7-601 (PR commission ceiling: 9% on first $20K + 3.6% on excess), § 7-602 (attorney reasonable comp), § 7-103 (publication), § 8-103 (regular estate creditor bar); § 2-206 (Register of Wills probate fee schedule); registers.maryland.govVerified May 14, 2026 The waiting period is 0 days after death. Check eligibility with the Maryland probate need checker.

In Maryland, simple estates typically take 6-9 months. Average estates take 9-12 months. Complex estates with disputes, tax issues, or unusual assets can take 12-24 months or longer.Md. Est. & Trusts § 5-601 (small estate threshold), § 5-602 (small estate procedure), § 5-603 (small estate creditor bar: earlier of 6 months from death or 30 days from notice), § 6-102 (bond), § 7-601 (PR commission ceiling: 9% on first $20K + 3.6% on excess), § 7-602 (attorney reasonable comp), § 7-103 (publication), § 8-103 (regular estate creditor bar); § 2-206 (Register of Wills probate fee schedule); registers.maryland.govVerified May 14, 2026 The 6-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline.

Maryland uses a "reasonable compensation" standard for probate attorney fees.Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 14, 2026 Courts consider factors such as the complexity of the estate, time spent, attorney skill, and local rates. Typical fees range from 2% to 4% of estate value.

Maryland has a statutory fee schedule for executor compensation.Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-601Verified May 14, 2026 Executors can waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. See a detailed breakdown with the Maryland executor fee calculator.

Probate Costs in Maryland

Probate costs in Maryland depend on estate size, complexity, and whether disputes arise. Knowing what to expect helps families prepare financially and explore alternatives like trusts that bypass probate entirely. The trust vs. will comparison shows the trade-offs.

Maryland probate attorney fees range from 2%Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 14, 2026 to 4%Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 14, 2026 of estate value under a reasonable compensation standard. Unlike statutory-fee states, families have room to negotiate.

Estates under $50,000Md. Est. & Trusts § 5-601Verified May 14, 2026 in Maryland may qualify for a simplified procedure that avoids formal probate. The waiting period is 0 daysMd. Est. & Trusts § 5-601Verified May 14, 2026 after the date of death.

The probate timeline in Maryland starts at 6 monthsMd. Est. & Trusts § 5-601Verified May 14, 2026 for simple estates. A revocable living trust avoids this process altogether, with assets distributed privately and without court involvement.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 14, 2026

Legal Sources

  • Md. Est. & Trusts § 5-601
  • Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)

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

When you're ready, we're here.

A revocable living trust skips probate, stays private, and takes 15 minutes.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

Maryland Estate Planning Resources

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

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Named as Executor

Named as Executor

Being named executor means navigating probate, managing assets, and distributing the estate. What's expected, what you can charge, and how to start.

Learn more
Death of a Parent

Death of a Parent

Losing a parent is overwhelming. What needs to happen next — settling the estate, navigating probate, and the steps to move forward.

Learn more