Overview
Queen Anne's County is located in Maryland with a population of approximately 53,688. The Register of Wills / Orphans' Court handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Maryland probate is governed by the Maryland Code, Estates and Trusts Article. The process begins with filing a Petition for Administration (Form RW1112 for regular estates) to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters of Administration to the personal representative.
Maryland offers a simplified Small Estate procedure for estates valued at $50,000 or less (or $100,000 or less if the surviving spouse is the sole heir).
Maryland has a statutory fee schedule for personal representatives and attorneys, generally capped at approximately 9% of the first $20,000 of the estate and 3.6% of the balance, though this is a maximum and not mandatory.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Queen Anne's County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Register of Wills / Orphans' Court
Probate matters in Queen Anne's County are handled at the Liberty Building.
Address: 107 North Liberty Street, Suite 220, P.O. Box 59, Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 758-0585
Toll-Free: (888) 758-0010
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
The Register of Wills office is located in the Liberty Building in downtown Centreville. The Orphans' Court judges preside over contested matters and hearings.
Parking and Access
Metered parking is available on the streets surrounding the Liberty Building. Free parking is available near the Courthouse in the lots next to the Post Office on Water Street and behind the Queen Anne's County Health Department.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Administration: If the estate is valued at $50,000 or less (or $100,000 if the spouse is the sole heir), you may file a Petition for Administration of a Small Estate.
- Non-Probate Assets: Assets with named beneficiaries (like life insurance or retirement accounts) or held jointly with rights of survivorship generally do not go through probate.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file a Petition for Administration (Form RW1112) with the Register of Wills. Include:
- Original Last Will and Testament (if any)
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- List of Interested Persons (Form RW1104)
- Filing fee (based on the value of the probate estate)
- Notice of Appointment (Form RW1114)
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice to all interested persons (heirs and beneficiaries)
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in Queen Anne's County (such as the Queen Anne's County Record-Observer) once a week for three successive weeks. The Register of Wills often assists with arranging this publication.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
Most administrative probate matters are handled by the Register of Wills without a formal hearing. However, if there are disputes or if judicial probate is requested, a hearing before the Orphans' Court judges will be scheduled.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters of Administration, the personal representative must:
- Open an estate bank account
- File an Inventory of assets within three months of appointment
- File an Information Report regarding non-probate assets
- Pay valid debts and expenses
- File a First Administration Account within nine months of appointment
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries after court approval
Local Requirements
Queen Anne's County-Specific Procedures
- Publication: Notice is typically published in the Queen Anne's County Record-Observer or The Star Democrat. The Register of Wills office can provide the specific forms and facilitate the publication process.
- Bond: A nominal bond is usually required unless excused by the will or waiver, but a bond of personal representative (insurance) may be required for larger estates or if requested by an interested person.
- Local Forms: The Maryland Register of Wills provides standardized forms used across all counties, including Queen Anne's.
Always check with the Register of Wills for the most current local protocols.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Queen Anne's County)
Fees are based on the value of the probate estate:
- Value under $10,000: $50
- $10,000 - $20,000: $100
- $20,000 - $50,000: $150
- $50,000 - $75,000: $200
- $75,000 - $100,000: $300
- $100,000 - $250,000: $400
- $250,000 - $500,000: $500
- $500,000 - $750,000: $750
- $750,000 - $1,000,000: $1,000
- Over $1,000,000: $1,000 + .02% of excess over $1 million
Payment Methods
The Register of Wills accepts checks, money orders, and cash. Credit cards may be accepted with a convenience fee.
Estimated Timelines
- Small Estates: 4-6 months
- Regular Estates (Simple): 9-12 months
- Complex or Contested Estates: 12 months to 2+ years
Creditors have 6 months from the date of the decedent's death (or 2 months after being mailed a copy of the notice) to file claims.
Local Resources
Queen Anne's County Court Resources
- Register of Wills Website: registers.maryland.gov
- Probate Forms: Maryland Register of Wills Forms
- Orphans' Court Info: Maryland Courts - Orphans' Court
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Maryland State Bar Association: (410) 685-7878 — Lawyer Referral Service
- Maryland Legal Aid: (410) 951-7777 — Low-income legal assistance
- Queen Anne's County Bar Association: Local attorney networking and referrals
Publication
- Queen Anne's County Record-Observer: (410) 758-1400 — General circulation newspaper
- The Star Democrat: (410) 822-1500 — Regional newspaper