Maryland Probate
Timelines and Deadlines

Maryland sets these deadlines from the date of appointment: • List of Interested Persons: within 20 days • Inventory and Information Report: within 3 months • First Account: within 9 months • Later Accounts: the earlier of 6 months after the prior account is approved or 9 months after it was filed Missing a deadline leads to delinquency notices and possible court action.

A creditor has until the earlier of six months after the date of death or 30 days after the Personal Representative mails them written notice. Mailing notice to known creditors early shortens the waiting period.

The Maryland Department of Health must file within the earlier of six months after the first published notice of appointment or two months after the Personal Representative sends notice to its Division of Medical Assistance Recoveries. Estates where the deceased received long-term care benefits should expect a claim and plan the house sale around it.

No. The creditor period controls when money goes out to heirs, not when the house sells. Proceeds sit in the estate account until claims are handled. Waiting months to list just to "be safe" usually costs the estate more in taxes, insurance, and utilities than it protects.

Family disagreement slows down probate more than anything else. Other common causes are a will contest, missing heirs, late filings, an insolvent estate, and a house that needs a full cleanout before anyone can decide what to do with it. The court moves at its own pace. The family controls almost everything else.

Yes, in many cases. The Register of Wills handles extension requests, and in Modified Administration the Final Report deadline is extendable by 90 days with signed consent from the Personal Representative and every interested person. Ask before the deadline passes, not after.

Heirs receive distributions after debts, taxes, and expenses are handled and the court approves the account showing them. Maryland does allow partial distributions during administration. In Modified Administration, final distribution is due within 12 months of appointment.

The legal side is rarely the slowest part. The cleanout and property preparation usually are. A cash buyer often closes in a few weeks. A traditional listing adds time for cleanout, repairs, showings, and the buyer’s financing. The Personal Representative’s decisions in the first 30 days set the pace for everything after.