Title 5. Opening the Estate — Subtitle 6. Small Estates

Direct that the petitioner serve as personal representative of the small estate and issue additional letters of administration as needed;

Direct the immediate payment of the allowable funeral expenses as provided in § 8–106 of this article and the family allowances provided in § 3–201 of this article;

Direct sale of property as may be necessary to satisfy expenses and allowances; and

If it appears that there will be property remaining after the payments, expenses and allowances, admit a will to probate and direct that notice be given in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.

If the register directs a proceeding in accordance with subsection (a)(4) of this section, unless notice of the appointment of a personal representative appointed under Subtitle 3 or Subtitle 4 of this title has been published one or more times, notice shall be given once in the form required by § 7–103 of this article, but the period within which objection must be made to the action is 30 days from the date of publication of notice and the period within which claims must be filed is the earlier of the following dates:

In delivering a copy of a notice to the creditor under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, the personal representative shall comply with the provisions of § 7–103.1 of this article.

If the register directs a proceeding in accordance with subsection (a)(4) of this section and if notice of the appointment of a personal representative appointed under Subtitle 3 or Subtitle 4 of this title has been published one or more times, the notice provisions of § 7–103 of this article and the time limits specified therein shall apply.

Unless bond is expressly excused by the will or by the written waiver of all interested persons, a person appointed as a personal representative in accordance with § 5–603(a)(1) of this subtitle shall be required to give bond if the estate is established to have a gross value of $10,000 or more after the payment of expenses and allowances under § 5–603(a)(2) of this subtitle.

If the estate is established to have a gross value of less than $10,000 after the payment of expenses and allowances under § 5–603(a)(2) of this subtitle, a person appointed as a personal representative in accordance with § 5–603(a)(1) of this subtitle may not be required to give bond.

A personal representative under this subtitle is not entitled to receive commissions for the performance of the duties of a personal representative.

After the expiration of 60 days following publication of the notice required by § 5–603(b) of this subtitle, the personal representative shall file proof of publication of the notice and a list of all claims, including contingent and disputed claims, and the amount of each filed since the original petition.

The court shall hear objections filed pursuant to the notice and, if satisfied that all action taken pursuant to this subtitle is proper, shall direct the petitioner to pay all proper claims, expenses, and family allowance and to distribute the net estate in accordance with the will or, if the decedent died intestate, in accordance with Title 3, Subtitle 1 of this article.

The surviving spouse is the sole legatee or heir and has qualified for administration under this subtitle in accordance with § 5–601(c) of this subtitle; and

The property of the decedent subject to administration in Maryland is established to have a value of $100,000 or less as of the date of death of the decedent.

Administration of an estate of the decedent is not required; and

The Motor Vehicle Administration may transfer title to a motor vehicle owned by the decedent to the surviving spouse if:

Administration of an estate of the decedent is not required; and

The agency that issued the certificate of title may transfer the certificate of title for the boat or vessel to the surviving spouse of the decedent if: