Maryland Probate Costs
Reasonable compensation under Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts Section 7-602 (reasonable compensation)
Maryland Probate Overview
Maryland follows a reasonable compensation model for probate fees, where attorney and executor fees are determined by what the court considers fair for the work performed. Under Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts Section 7-602 (reasonable compensation), fees are based on the gross value of the estate. This means costs can vary depending on the complexity of the estate and the professionals involved.
Attorney fees are typically around 3.5% of the gross estate value. The court filing fee in Maryland is $225 (MD Orphans Court / Register of Wills filing fee schedule). You should also budget for surety bond premiums and newspaper publication fees required by law.
The probate process in Maryland typically takes 6 to 12 months from filing to final distribution. For smaller estates valued at $50,000 or less, Maryland offers a simplified probate procedure that can bypass the full probate process (Md. Code Ann., Est. & Trusts Section 5-601).