4296

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 778

AN ACT concerning

Estates and Trusts - Small Estate Administration

FOR the purpose of authorizing small estate administration
proceedings after the institution of administrative
probate proceedings or judicial probate proceedings;
providing, for certain notice of appointment and notice
to creditors in such cases; clarifying the date on
which the value of property subject to small estate
proceedings is to be determined; providing for the
application of this Act; and generally relating to
small estate administration.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Estates and Trusts
Section 5-601 and 5-603
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1974 Volume and 1981 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
read(s) as follows:

Article - Estates and Trusts

5-601.

(A)   If the property of the decedent subject to
administration in Maryland is established to have a gross
value of $7,500 or less AS OF THE DATE OF THE DEATH OF THE
DECEDENT, the estate may be administered in accordance with
the provisions of §§ 5-602 through 5-607.

(B)   IF, BEFORE THE FILING OF AN INITIAL ACCOUNT IN
ADMINISTRATION PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED UNDER SUBTITLE 3 OR
SUBTITLE 4 OF THIS TITLE, THE PROPERTY OF THE DECEDENT
SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATION IN MARYLAND IS ESTABLISHED TO HAVE
A GROSS VALUE OF $7,500 OR LESS AS OF THE DATE OF THE DEATH
OF THE DECEDENT, THE ESTATE THEREAFTER MAY BE ADMINISTERED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF §§ 5-602 THROUGH 5-607.

(C) An inheritance tax is not due or payable on a
distribution from such estate.

5-603.

(a) If the register finds that the petition and
additional information filed in the proceeding is accurate,
he shall:

(1) Direct that the petitioner serve as personal
representative of the small estate;