Best Probate Lawyers in Baltimore

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Baltimore, Maryland?

  410-887-2222 is the police non-emergency number in Baltimore.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Baltimore, Maryland?

  The Records Department in Baltimore is reachable at 911records@baltimorecountymd.gov. Snail mail requests are sent to the Office of Budget and Finance, 400 Washington Avenue, Room 150, Towson, Maryland 21204, Attention: Cashier's Office—911 Records.

• What are the standard methods for avoiding probate proceedings in Baltimore?

  To avoid probate proceedings in Baltimore, testators resort to revocable living trusts which designate assets that are held by a fiduciary for the benefit of a beneficiary or heir. Life insurance policies are standard inheritance-facilitation measures because the transfer of proceeds does not require court intervention. The use of joint bank accounts is also a popular method.

• Can a spouse in Baltimore whose departed partner left no children and an estate worth $40,000 resort to shortened probate proceedings?

  A spouse in Baltimore whose departed partner left no children and an estate worth $40,000 may resort to shortened probate proceedings. To undergo simpler processes, the value of the deceased party's assets cannot exceed $30,000 if there are multiple classes of heirs, or $50,000 if the sole heir is a husband or wife.

• In Baltimore, is it okay for consenting heirs to conceal a last will and testament and resort to intestate succession instead?

  No, the state law applied in Baltimore does not allow consenting heirs to conceal a will and resort to intestacy. As long as the testator leaves behind this document, it has to be submitted to the Register of Wills. Public policy frowns upon ignoring the intentions of the departed when it comes to distributing the assets, even if all the heirs are in agreement.

• What are some of the taxes applicable in the estate planning and probate process in Baltimore?

  Some of the taxes applied to estate planning and probate processes in Baltimore include gift taxes for the transfer of assets in anticipation of death. There are inheritance taxes due if the property shifts ownership due to a person’s death. Capital gains taxes are possible for the transfer of non-business holdings.

• What is the compensation due to an executor of the estate in Baltimore?

  The executor of an estate in Baltimore is entitled to amounts that depend on the value of the estate. If the assets are worth $20,000 or less, the compensation allowed in law is nine percent of the properties’ value. Once the sum exceeds $20,000, the restitution becomes $1,800 plus 3.6% of the holdings' worth exceeding $20,000.