Severn Probate And Estate Administration Attorneys
As we are here to serve the community in Anne Arundel County and beyond, at Trevillian Law, our attorneys advise many people in estate law matters.
Our legal team is well familiar with how overwhelming it can seem for someone to face probate and estate administration duties, especially in a time of loss. Our lawyers are here to provide you with the guidance and support you need to ensure a smooth process. Talk to us today by sending an email or by calling 410-609-9987
Our Approach And Who We Are
We are a family-owned and operated probate law firm, and our lawyers take pride in serving our community with honesty, trustworthiness and professionalism.
With experienced attorneys who are natives of this area, we have close ties to the community. This perspective gives our lawyers a deep understanding of local laws and procedures as well as the public’s expectations of a law firm such as Trevillian Law.
Why You Need Legal Advice While Administering An Estate
Administering an estate or taking a will through probate can be a complex and time-consuming process. Having a lawyer by your side can help ensure that everything is handled correctly and efficiently.
Our attorneys have years of experience dealing with local judges and prosecutors, giving them a unique advantage in representing your interests. They will help you avoid any allegations of breach of fiduciary duty or other wrongdoings related to the daunting task in front of you.
How Long Do You Have To File Probate After Death In Maryland?
In Maryland, the probate process must begin within six months of the deceased person’s passing. The petition to open probate is filed with the Register of Wills in the county where the deceased person resided. Starting the legal process within this time frame helps ensure the estate can be properly administered, avoiding unnecessary delays or legal complications.
The probate process involves several steps, including:
- Identifying the deceased person’s assets
- Notifying creditors
- Settling debts
- Distributing the remaining property to beneficiaries
Many families face challenges during the estate administration process. These can include:
- Difficulties in locating all the deceased person’s assets
- Dealing with complex debts
- Resolving disputes among heirs
Disagreements over the interpretation of a will or asset distribution can cause tension. These disagreements can delay the process.
Another common hurdle is ensuring compliance with Maryland’s legal requirements. Filing the correct documentation or paying applicable taxes is crucial. Mistakes can lead to penalties or prolonged delays in finalizing the estate.
Working with a skilled professional can make the estate administration process much smoother and less burdensome for families. Our probate attorney can help families overcome these challenges. We provide guidance around the legal process and ensure that steps are completed on time. We can also help prepare the necessary documents. We can even mediate disputes among beneficiaries and address any creditor claims.
Before beginning probate, it is important to gather key documents. Obvious ones, such as the deceased person’s will and death certificate, are important. However, a detailed inventory of assets and liabilities can help. Organizing this information can save time and effort during the probate process.
Understanding Maryland’s probate rules and seeking the help of an experienced probate attorney can help with efficient administration of the estate.
Trust Administration And Dispute Resolution
Trust administration is another crucial aspect of estate administration. In case of a dispute or disagreement among beneficiaries, having a knowledgeable attorney can help protect your rights and ensure that the trust is administered according to the decedent’s wishes.
At Trevillian Law, our lawyers believe in empowering our clients with knowledge. We offer free consultations so that you can discuss with us your specific needs, and concerns about estate planning and related issues. Whether you’re administering an estate or navigating the complexities of trust administration, our team is here to help.
The Importance Of Beneficiary Designations In Maryland
Beneficiary designations are critical for distributing your personal property when you pass away.
The estate executor or administrator must consider these designations during probate proceedings. In some cases, thoughtful beneficiary designations can actually help bypass probate entirely.
If you have bank accounts you want to pass to specific individuals, you can use a beneficiary designation as payable on death (POD) accounts. When you die, the named beneficiary immediately becomes the new account holder. This also allows the account to bypass probate. This speeds up the distribution of assets for the beneficiary. It may also reduce the odds of an estate dispute. If the account does not have to go through probate, it cannot be disputed by other family members.
When distributing personal property, one way to use beneficiary designations outside of your will is to put that property into a trust. This involves choosing a trustee to administer the trust and naming someone to receive the assets upon your death. Using a trust can sometimes be helpful if you want to specify how the assets should be used, define when a person should receive the assets or take other steps to have more control over the distribution.
Additionally, beneficiary designations are used with life insurance policies. Because the policy pays out when you pass away, it does not enter your estate or go through probate. The beneficiary directly receives the payout from the life insurance provider. You can name multiple beneficiaries or even name a trust as the beneficiary, allowing the trustee to distribute the life insurance funds after your passing. Similarly, beneficiary designations can be used for pension plans, IRA accounts, 401(k)s, mutual funds and other types of investments.
Finally, you can also note specific beneficiaries in your estate plan, such as naming them in your will. It is important to update these beneficiary designations at specific times or amid certain events. Examples include significant life changes such as the birth of a child or the passing of a beneficiary.
Scheduling regular reviews and updates with Severn probate and estate administration attorneys can help you stay on top of important life events.
Navigating Estate Taxes In Maryland Probate
When handling probate in Maryland, you may encounter two types of state-level taxes: estate and inheritance. As of 2025, Maryland stands as the only state in the country to collect from residents. While most beneficiaries and estates are not subject to them, understanding how they work is important.
The estate tax applies to a deceased person’s entire estate before their heirs receive their inheritance. Our state exempts estates worth $5 million or less from this tax. If your estate exceeds this threshold, the tax rate ranges from .8% to .16% on the portion of the estate exceeding the limit.
The inheritance tax works differently because the person receiving the assets pays it, not the estate itself. However, this depends on the heir’s relationship to the deceased. Close family members pay nothing. These include surviving spouses, registered domestic partners, children, stepchildren, parents and siblings. However, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and other nonrelatives must pay a flat 10% tax on the properties they receive.
In addition to Maryland’s taxes, the federal estate tax may come into play if the estate is worth at least $13.99 million per individual. Estates exceeding this threshold face federal estate tax rates that can reach up to 40%.
How Asset Valuation Affects Taxes
The value of assets directly impacts how much tax an estate must pay in Maryland. Since the estate tax only applies to estates worth more than $5 million, an accurate valuation tells you whether this tax applies to your situation. For the inheritance tax, proper valuation determines the exact 10% tax amount that certain beneficiaries must pay on what they inherit.
Setting values too high means paying extra taxes you do not owe, while setting them too low can result in penalties and interest charges from authorities.
Income Tax Versus Estate Taxes
Many people confuse income tax with estate taxes, but they serve different purposes. Income tax deals with the money a person earned during their final year of life. This includes wages, investment income and business profits. As a personal representative, it is your responsibility to file a final income tax return for the deceased, reporting all income from January 1st until the day they passed away.
Estate taxes, on the other hand, apply to the total value of what the person owned when they died, not what they earned.
How Our Attorneys Help
As experienced Maryland probate attorneys, our job is to help you reduce tax burdens through careful planning and accurate reporting to the court. We handle the preparation and filing of all required tax returns and coordinate with accountants and appraisers to ensure all documentation meets court requirements. By handling these details properly from the start, we help you avoid costly penalties, interest charges and disputes with tax authorities.
Get Legal Advice On Probate Now
If you’re in need of assistance with probate, estate administration or trust administration, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Schedule your free consultation today by calling 410-609-9987 or following this link to our online inquiry form.
As a team devoted to serving our clientele and community, our attorneys have worked hard to earn their solid reputation as trusted Maryland law advocates in the area of probate law. For compassionate, committed counsel from a lawyer who will be protective of your rights, reach out to us. Our lawyers are also available to help you prepare for your duties as an estate administrator, even before the death of your loved one.