# Criminal Law (GCR)

## Title 8. Fraud and Related Crimes

### Subtitle 7. Crimes Against Estates

#### Section 8-701

(a) A person may not willfully or corruptly embezzle, steal, destroy, withdraw, impair, or alter a will, codicil, deed, land patent or assignment of a land patent, or a writ of administration, return, record, or part of any of those documents if as a result of that act the estate or right of any person may be defeated, injured, or altered.

(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 3 years and not exceeding 7 years.

(c) A person who violates this section is subject to Sec. 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.

#### Section 8-702

(a) Unless the maker of a will gives instruction to the person keeping the will for safe custody, a person who receives a will for safe custody may not:

  (1) destroy the will; or

  (2) after the person learns of the death of the maker, willfully hide the will for a period of 6 months.

(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 18 months and not exceeding 15 years.

(c) A person who violates this section is subject to Sec. 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.

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Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)