Attorneys Handling Maryland Probate
Probate
Probate is the process of administering the estate of a deceased person. During the probate process, the assets of the decedent are identified, creditors may submit claims against the estate, a determination as to the amount of any inheritance and estate taxes is made, and ultimately, the net assets of the decedent are distributed to the heirs or legatees. In Maryland, the probate process starts by submitting the will of a person who has died to the probate court, which is called the Orphan’s Court in Maryland. If a person dies without a will, that person is said to have died intestate. The estate of an intestate person must also be probated. The Register of Wills, in conjunction with the Orphans’ Court, oversees the administration of estates. Our lawyers act for an estate’s personal representative, helping them shepherd a decedent’s estate through the probate process.
Years of experience advising and acting as personal representatives
If you have been named as the personal representative, or executor, of a decedent’s estate, our Southern Maryland attorneys can assist. While some wills and estates are straightforward and are easily probated, others are complicated and require extensive probate litigation. In either case, an experienced lawyer can make a difference. Contact Davis, Upton, Palumbo & Dougherty, LLC, for assistance with any estate. Call us at (410) 535-1780.
Having knowledgeable legal counsel during probate can make the difference between a smooth process and one that develops problems at every turn. Our law firm has acted as counsel to many personal representatives and has also been named by decedents to serve as personal representatives. We know where potential problems lie and take steps to avoid them altogether or to develop a strategy for minimizing their impact.
Probate litigation and more
Our law firm has many years of experience handling Orphan’s Court matters related to probate and estate administration. Some of the issues that arise include:
- Preparing initial petition for probate
- Contesting wills alleging undue influence or lack of capacity
- Inventorying and appraising property and real estate
- Assisting in securing bonds for personal representatives
- Preparing administration accounts
- Settling claims against an estate
- Advising heirs in obtaining advice on tax implications
- Representing the interest of an heir
- Representing a claimant against an estate
- Undertaking post-mortem planning for survivors, including establishing trusts to handle estates
- Administering trusts
If you need to submit a will to the Orphan’s Court for probate, contact our Prince Frederick law firm for advice and representation. Call Davis, Upton, Palumbo & Dougherty, LLC at (410) 535-1780 to learn how we can help you avoid probate litigation and keep the process moving forward.
30-minute free initial consultation
