Search Kent County Probate Court Records

Kent County probate court records go back further than any other county in the state. The Register of Wills office in Chestertown holds estate filings, wills, and guardianship records for Kent County. Records in this office date to 1642, making it the oldest set of probate files in all of Maryland. Whether you need to open a new estate, search for an old will, or get copies of probate documents, the Register of Wills office at the courthouse can help. Calling ahead for an appointment is a good idea.

Kent County Register of Wills Office

Hon. Kristi Osborn serves as the Kent County Register of Wills. The office is at the courthouse on North Cross Street in Chestertown. This is where all Kent County probate court records are filed and stored. Staff can help you with estate filings, copies of wills, and questions about the probate process. The Register also acts as Clerk to the Orphans' Court, which hears disputed estate matters.

The office can take appointments for in-person visits. Staff recommend that you call before you come in. This way they can prepare what you need and make sure your visit goes smoothly. Walk-ins may be seen, but an appointment helps.

Orphans' Court in Kent County

The Orphans' Court for Kent County meets at the courthouse in Chestertown. This court has power over contested probate matters, including disputes about wills, removal of personal representatives, and guardianship cases. Three judges sit on the Kent County Orphans' Court. If a will is challenged or an heir raises an objection, the case goes from the Register of Wills to this court for a hearing.

Most probate cases in Kent County are handled through administrative probate and never need the Orphans' Court. Only cases with actual disputes end up there. Under Md. Code, Estates and Trusts § 2-101, the Orphans' Court has broad jurisdiction over estate matters, including the power to order distributions and settle accounts.

How to Find Kent County Probate Records

You can search for Kent County probate court records in several ways. The EstateSearch tool on the Maryland Register of Wills website is free and open to all. It covers cases from 1998 to the present in Kent County. Enter a last name and use the percent sign as a wildcard to find matches. The tool updates at the end of each work day. You can also search by estate number if you have one. Estate numbers must be entered as a full 12-character string, with leading zeros if the number is shorter.

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is another free option. It covers docket info from trial courts going back to 1965. This includes probate cases filed in Kent County. You can search by party name or case number. For partial name searches, put at least the first letter of the last name followed by a percent sign.

For older Kent County probate records, you will need to contact the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis. They hold microfilm of wills from 1668 to 1933, administration accounts from 1709 to 1848, and estate records from 1688 to 1940. The Archives also has a card index of probate records from 1777 to 1854 online. Some of the earliest Kent County records, dating to the 1640s and 1660s, are among the oldest in the state and may need special handling to access.

Note: FamilySearch also has digitized collections of Kent County probate records for genealogy research.

Kent County Probate Court Record Types

Kent County holds the oldest probate records in Maryland. The first records date to 1642. Wills on file go from 1668 to 1933 and are indexed from 1674 to 1948. Administration accounts span two periods: 1709 to 1789 and 1789 to 1848. Administration bonds cover 1664 to 1789 and 1793 to 1850. Guardian bonds run from 1794 to 1860. Inventories cover 1709 to 1788 and 1788 to 1850. Estate records cover 1688 to 1940. These older records are on microfilm or in original bound books at the Archives.

Modern Kent County probate court records include the full range of estate documents. When someone dies, the personal representative files the will with the Register of Wills. They then get letters of administration, which give them the legal right to act on behalf of the estate. An inventory of assets must be filed within three months under Estates and Trusts § 7-101. A list of interested persons is due within 20 days per § 7-104. Creditors have six months from the date of death to file claims, as set out in § 8-103. Final accounts must be filed before the estate can close.

Kent County Probate Fees

Kent County uses the same probate fee schedule as all Maryland counties. Fees are based on estate value. Estates worth $50,000 or less pay nothing. The fee is $100 for estates between $50,000 and $100,000. It rises to $200 for estates from $100,000 to $500,000, then $1,000 for estates from $500,000 to $1 million. Small estates under $50,000 can use a simpler process under Estates and Trusts § 5-601, which cuts down on paperwork and time.

There are two main types of probate in Maryland that apply in Kent County. Administrative probate is for cases with no disputes. The Register of Wills handles these. Judicial probate goes before the Orphans' Court and is for contested wills or other disputes. Modified administration is a third option for estates that meet certain rules, and it streamlines the regular process quite a bit.

Kent County Register of Wills Page

The Kent County Register of Wills page on the state Registers website shows the office address, phone numbers, hours, and links to the online estate search tool for Kent County probate court records.

This page is the best starting point if you need to contact the Kent County office or access online tools to search estate records.

Legal Resources for Kent County Estates

The People's Law Library of Maryland has free guides on probate, wills, and estate administration. These cover the forms you need, the steps to follow, and the timeline for settling an estate in Kent County. The Maryland Judiciary also has a page at mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/willsestates with help on wills and estates.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono is one of the legal aid groups that serves the Eastern Shore, including Kent County. They may help with probate matters for those who qualify based on income. The MDEC system handles electronic filing for probate cases in Kent County, so your attorney can file documents online. The Maryland State Archives Guide is useful for tracing older records. For estate tax matters, the Comptroller of Maryland can be reached at 800-638-2937.

Nearby Counties

Kent County is on the upper Eastern Shore. If you need probate records from a neighboring county, the same search tools work for all of them. Make sure you search in the right county based on where the person lived at the time of death.