Queen Anne's County Probate Court Records
Queen Anne's County probate court records are filed and maintained at the Register of Wills office in Centreville. Located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, this county has a long history of estate records going back to 1705. The Register of Wills handles all wills, estate administration, and guardianship cases for Queen Anne's County. Whether you need to open a new estate, look up an old filing, or get copies of probate documents, you can reach the office by phone or visit the Liberty Building on North Liberty Street in Centreville.
Queen Anne's County Overview
Queen Anne's County Register of Wills
Hon. Laura Nan Cook is the Queen Anne's County Register of Wills. Her office is in Suite 220 of the Liberty Building at 107 North Liberty Street in Centreville. This is where all Queen Anne's County probate court records are stored and where new estate filings take place. The Register also serves as Clerk to the Orphans' Court, which has the power to hear disputes over wills and estate matters.
Staff are available by phone during business hours. If you need to mail documents, use the PO Box address rather than the street address. The office handles a range of tasks, from accepting new petitions for probate to issuing certified copies of wills and other estate papers.
| Register | Hon. Laura Nan Cook |
|---|---|
| Address |
Liberty Building 107 North Liberty Street, Suite 220 Centreville, MD 21617 |
| Mailing Address |
Register of Wills, Queen Anne's County PO Box 59 Centreville, MD 21617 |
| Phone | (410) 758-0585 |
| Toll-Free | (888) 758-0010 |
| Fax | (410) 758-4408 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Orphans' Court for Queen Anne's County
The Orphans' Court meets in Centreville. Three elected judges hear cases that involve contested wills, challenges to personal representatives, and guardianship disputes. Under Md. Code, Estates and Trusts § 2-101, this court has full jurisdiction over estate matters in Queen Anne's County. Most estates go through administrative probate without any court hearing. Only disputed cases end up before the Orphans' Court.
If a family member objects to a will or challenges the appointment of a personal representative, the Register of Wills sends the matter to the Orphans' Court. Hearings are open to the public. The court can order distributions, remove personal representatives, and settle disputes over estate accounts.
Searching Queen Anne's County Probate Records
The EstateSearch tool is the easiest way to find Queen Anne's County probate court records online. This free tool covers cases from 1998 forward. Enter a last name and use the percent sign as a wildcard. Results show the estate number, status, date of death, personal representative, and attorney. The data updates at the end of each business day.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is another free option. It has docket information going back to 1965 for all Maryland trial courts, including Queen Anne's County. You can search by party name or case number. For partial names, type the first letter followed by a percent sign.
Queen Anne's County probate records begin in 1705. The oldest wills on file date to 1706 and go through 1856, with indexes from 1705 to 1945. Administration accounts span 1741 to 1855. Bonds cover 1774 to 1857. Inventories run from 1739 to 1851. For these older records, the Maryland State Archives holds microfilm copies. FamilySearch also has some digitized collections from Queen Anne's County that are useful for genealogy work.
Note: If your search on EstateSearch returns more than 500 results, narrow it down by adding a first name, date range, or case type.
Queen Anne's County Estate Record Types
Queen Anne's County was created in 1706. The county seat has been Centreville from the start. Probate records here include wills, letters of administration, inventories, accounts, bonds, and court orders. These documents trace the process of settling an estate from start to finish. Modern records also include guardianship filings, conservatorship papers, and trust documents.
When someone passes away in Queen Anne's County, the process starts with filing the will at the Register of Wills office. The personal representative then gets letters of administration or letters testamentary under Maryland law. Within three months, they must file an inventory of estate assets per Estates and Trusts § 7-101. A list of interested persons is due in 20 days under § 7-104. Creditors get six months to file claims against the estate per § 8-103. Once all debts are paid and accounts filed, the estate can close. Each step creates a record that becomes part of the Queen Anne's County probate court file.
Probate Fees in Queen Anne's County
Queen Anne's County uses the statewide fee schedule for probate. Estates under $50,000 pay no fee. The fee is $100 for estates from $50,000 to $100,000. It goes up from there based on value, reaching $200 for estates up to $500,000 and $1,000 for estates up to $1 million. The top fee is $10,000 for estates between $7.5 million and $10 million, with an extra 0.02% on amounts over $10 million.
Small estates qualify for a simpler process under Estates and Trusts § 5-601. The cap is $50,000, or $100,000 if the surviving spouse is the only heir. This saves time and paperwork. Modified administration is another shortcut for eligible estates in Queen Anne's County. Either way, the Register of Wills handles administrative probate. Only contested cases need the Orphans' Court.
Queen Anne's County Register Portal
The Queen Anne's County Register of Wills page on the state website shows office details, mailing address, and links to the online estate search for Queen Anne's County probate court records.
This is a good place to start if you need contact information for the Register of Wills or want to access the free online search tool.
Legal Help for Queen Anne's County Estates
The People's Law Library of Maryland offers free guides on probate, estate administration, and small estates. The Maryland Judiciary has help at mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/willsestates that covers the basics of wills and estates. Mid-Shore Pro Bono serves the Eastern Shore and may help with probate cases for low-income residents of Queen Anne's County.
The Queen Anne's County Area Agency on Aging is a resource for older adults dealing with estate planning questions. The Queen Anne's County Free Library in Centreville may have legal self-help materials. Compass Regional Hospice, which also serves the area, sometimes offers guidance on end-of-life planning that ties into probate matters. The MDEC system handles electronic court filings in Queen Anne's County. The Maryland State Archives Guide can help trace older probate records for family history or legal research.
Nearby Counties
Queen Anne's County is on the upper Eastern Shore. If you need to search for probate court records in a nearby county, use the same online tools and select the right jurisdiction. Probate must be filed where the person lived at the time of death.