Best Probate Lawyers in Columbia

Frequently Asked Questions

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

  410-313-2200 is the non-emergency contact number of the Howard County Police Department, which oversees the Columbia community.

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

  To obtain a copy of a Columbia, Maryland police report, you need to fill out a request form (https://www.howardcountymd.gov/sites/default/files/2021-04/Report%20Request%20Form_revised%2007092018.pdf) and mail it with payment to the specified address. The reproduction charge is $10.00 per report, or $19.80 for reports older than two years stored off-site. Payment must be made by check or money order, and the report will be mailed to you within 30 days. Reports cannot be picked up immediately or faxed. If you have any questions, contact the Records Section at 410-313-2250.

• What happens when someone raises an objection to the will in Columbia?

  When someone objects to a will in Columbia, it initiates a process known as a "will contest." They are common in probate processes and can incur significant legal costs. Individuals objecting must be legally qualified, usually due to concerns about unfair beneficiary distributions or modifications to distribution plans from earlier iterations of the will. In will contests, disagreements might also surface regarding the executor chosen.

• What if the only asset of the decedent in Columbia was a motor vehicle?

  If a motor vehicle is the only asset of the decedent in Columbia, the administration procedure is based on the asset's worth and the existence of a living spouse. A small estate procedure is utilized for vehicles with a net value under $50,000 and when there is a surviving spouse and the net value is less than $100,000. Regular estate administration is necessary if there is no surviving spouse and the net value is greater than $50,000.

• Which parties have priority for payment if there are insufficient assets in Columbia?

  Register fees, administrative costs, funeral costs (up to $10,000), representative compensation, family allowance, taxes, medical expenditures, rent, wages, public assistance claims, and other claims must be paid by the personal representative in Columbia, in that order. Priority is given to claims filed with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and absolute precedence is given to debts owed to the United States, such as IRS taxes.

• How can you challenge a last will and testament in Columbia?

  To challenge a last will and testament in Columbia, you can file a formal objection called a "caveat proceeding" or "will contest." Grounds for challenges include improper execution, lack of capacity, undue influence, fraud, or existence of a more recent will. Evidence and arguments are presented in court, where the judge will determine the will's validity.

• Are there financial benefits for serving as a personal representative in Columbia?

  Serving as a personal representative or executor in Columbia may come with financial benefits. Personal representatives are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable costs incurred in administering and distributing an estate. In accordance with the location and size of the estate, they might also get statutory fees. Personal representatives, however, are subject to fiduciary obligations and are answerable for poor management.