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 Jul 14, 2026 On a $500,000 estate, total costs run about $34,931 — roughly 7% of estate value — varying with complexity. Use the executor fee calculator to estimate executor compensation separately.
Maryland allows estates valued at $50,000 or less to use the Petition for Administration of Small Estate, which avoids full probate administration.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 Jul 14, 2026 Maryland's small estate shortcut is a court procedure: the court's own order authorizes collection. There is no affidavit to present to a bank. There is no statutory waiting period. 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 Jul 14, 2026 The 6-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline.
Yes — the calculator above estimates Maryland probate attorney fees from the estate value. Maryland uses a "reasonable compensation" standard, so fees depend on estate complexity, time spent, and local rates.Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-602 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jul 14, 2026 Typical fees run 2.1% to 3.3% of estate value. It shows the attorney fee alongside executor fees, court filing fees, and the total probate cost.
Maryland has a statutory fee schedule for executor compensation.Md. Est. & Trusts § 7-601Verified Jul 14, 2026 Executors can waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. See a detailed breakdown with the Maryland executor fee calculator.
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