reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  1-208.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 1 - Estates of Decedents -- General Provisions|Subtitle 2 - Determining Relationship|Section 1-208.1 - Effect of Presumed Parentage; Rebutting Presumption

    (a)    An individual who is the presumed parent of a child under this subtitle shall be considered to be the child’s parent for all purposes, including inheritance, custody and visitation, support obligations, and Child in Need of Assistance proceedings, unless the presumption of parentage is rebutted in accordance with this section.    (b)    (1)    Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a presumption of parentage under this subtitle may be rebutted only if a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a written order that it is in the best interest of the child to receive and consider evidence that could rebut the presumption.        (2)    A written order that it is not in the best interest of the child to rebut a presumption of parentage:            (i)    Conclusively establishes that the presumed parent is a parent of the child for all purposes; and            (ii)    May be modified or set aside only on the basis of fraud, mistake, or irregularity.    (c)    An individual who is the putative father of a child in a proceeding under Title 5, Subtitle 10 of the Family Law Article may obtain and use evidence of blood or genetic testing in the proceeding to the extent authorized under Title 5, Subtitle 10 of the Family Law Article to rebut a presumption of parentage under § 1–208(c)(1) or (2) of this subtitle, regardless of whether it is in the best interest of the child.    (d)    Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, a presumption of parentage under this subtitle may be rebutted by:        (1)    Evidence of blood or genetic testing;        (2)    Testimony of the mother, the presumed parent, or another individual, that the presumed parent did not have access to the mother at the time of conception; or        (3)    Any other competent evidence that the presumed parent is not the father of the child.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  1-209 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 1 - Estates of Decedents -- General Provisions|Subtitle 2 - Determining Relationship|Section 1-209 - Issue

    (a)    In construing all provisions of the estates of decedents law and, unless a contrary intention is indicated, in construing the terms of a will, issue means every living lineal descendant except a lineal descendant of a living lineal descendant.    (b)    A person who is treated as a child of a person pursuant to §§ 1–205 through 1–208 of this subtitle shall be considered for all purposes as:        (1)    A lineal descendant of the person; and        (2)    Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, a lineal descendant of all persons of whom the person is a lineal descendant.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  1-210 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 1 - Estates of Decedents -- General Provisions|Subtitle 2 - Determining Relationship|Section 1-210 - Representation per Stirpes

    (a)    When provision is made for representation in this article, the shares shall be determined in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of this section.    (b)    (1)    In the case of issue of the decedent, the property shall be divided into as many equal shares as there are children of the decedent who survive the decedent and children of the decedent who did not survive the decedent but of whom issue did survive the decedent.        (2)    Each child of the decedent who did survive the decedent shall receive one share and the issue of each child of the decedent who did not survive the decedent but of whom issue did survive the decedent shall receive one share apportioned by applying to the children and other issue of each nonsurviving child of the decedent the pattern of representation provided for in this subsection for the children and other issue of the decedent and repeating that pattern with respect to succeeding generations until all shares are determined.    (c)    (1)    In the case of issue of a parent, grandparent, or great–grandparent of the decedent, the property shall be divided into as many equal shares as there are lineal descendants of either, or of both, of the pair of parents, grandparents, or great–grandparents, as the case may be, of the nearest degree of relationship to the decedent of whom any survived the decedent and who did so survive, and lineal descendants of the same degree who did not survive the decedent but of whom issue did survive the decedent.        (2)    Each lineal descendant of the nearest degree surviving the decedent shall receive one share and the issue of each deceased lineal descendant of that degree who left issue surviving the decedent shall receive one share apportioned in the manner of representation set forth for issue of the decedent in subsection (b) of this section.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  1-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 1 - Estates of Decedents -- General Provisions|Subtitle 3 - Property Subject to Article|Section 1-301 - All Property of Decedent; Devolution at Death

    (a)    All property of a decedent shall be subject to the estates of decedents law, and upon the person’s death shall pass directly to the personal representative, who shall hold the legal title for administration and distribution, without any distinction, preference, or priority as between real and personal property.    (b)    The court may determine questions of title to personal property not exceeding $50,000 in value for the purpose of determining what personal property is properly includable in an estate that is the subject of a proceeding before the court.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  1-401 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 1 - Estates of Decedents -- General Provisions|Subtitle 4 - Multiple-Party Accounts|Section 1-401 - Nontestamentary Transfers

    (a)    A provision in an account agreement, as defined in § 1–204(b)(2) of the Financial Institutions Article, for a transfer on death is nontestamentary and shall be effective according to the provisions of § 1–204 of the Financial Institutions Article.    (b)    Transfers pursuant to § 1–204 of the Financial Institutions Article are effective in the form and manner prescribed by that section and are not to be considered testamentary.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-101 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 1 - The Probate Court|Section 2-101 - "Court" Defined

    In the estates of decedents law, the word “court” means the orphans’ court in a county, or the court exercising the jurisdiction of the orphans’ court in a county.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-102 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 1 - The Probate Court|Section 2-102 - Jurisdiction of Court

    (a)    (1)    The court may:            (i)    Conduct judicial probate;            (ii)    Direct the conduct of a personal representative;            (iii)    Summon witnesses; and            (iv)    Issue orders that may be:                1.    Required in the course of the administration of an estate of a decedent; or                2.    Necessary to determine the value or sources of payment of an elective share under § 3–413 of this article.        (2)    The court may not, under pretext of incidental power or constructive authority, exercise any jurisdiction not expressly conferred.    (b)    The court may not establish rules of practice and procedure inconsistent with the Maryland Rules or with any statute.    (c)    An interested person may petition the court to resolve any question concerning an estate or its administration.    (d)    This section may not be construed to limit the court’s authority under § 1–301(b) of this article.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-103 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 1 - The Probate Court|Section 2-103 - Enforcement

    The court has the same legal and equitable powers to effectuate its jurisdiction, punish contempts, and carry out its orders, judgments, and decrees as a court of record with general jurisdiction in equity.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-104 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 1 - The Probate Court|Section 2-104 - Application of Maryland Rules

    The Maryland Rules for the summoning of a witness, and for depositions and discovery, apply to all actions.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-105 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 1 - The Probate Court|Section 2-105 - Plenary Proceeding

    (a)    In a controversy in the court, an issue of fact may be determined by the court.    (b)    (1)    At the request of an interested person made within the time determined by the court, the issue of fact may be determined by a court of law.        (2)    When the request is made before the court has determined the issue of fact, the court shall transmit the issue to a court of law.    (c)    After the determination of the issue, whether by the court or after transmission to a court of law, the court shall enter an appropriate judgment or decree.    (d)    This section does not apply where the estate is administered under the jurisdiction of a court having general equity jurisdiction.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-107 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 1 - The Probate Court|Section 2-107 - Chief Judge

    (a)    (1)    Except in Harford County and Montgomery County, the Governor shall designate and commission one of the three judges of the Court in each county as Chief Judge of the Court.        (2)    Full power and authority are vested in each judge designated and commissioned as chief judge to act as chief judge.        (3)    Any writ and other process tested in the name of the chief judge is valid for any purpose.    (b)    (1)    A reference in the estates of decedents law to the chief judge of the court of a county means, with regard to Harford County or Montgomery County, the judge of the circuit court then sitting as the Orphans’ Court.        (2)    A reference to the judges of the court in plural number means, with respect to Harford County or Montgomery County, the judge of the circuit court then sitting as the Orphans’ Court, unless the section otherwise specifically provides.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-109 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 1 - The Probate Court|Section 2-109 - Restriction on Judge's Practice of Law

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a judge of the court may not act as an attorney at law in a civil or criminal matter during a term of office.    (b)    This section does not apply:        (1)    In Harford County;        (2)    In Montgomery County;        (3)    In Baltimore City, to a judge of the Court while practicing law before any court of the State except an orphans’ court; or        (4)    In Prince George’s County, Baltimore County, Calvert County, and Howard County, to a judge of the Court while practicing law in connection with a case that is:            (i)    Outside the jurisdiction of orphans’ court; and            (ii)    Unrelated to the administration of an estate or guardianship.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-201 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 2 - Register of Wills|Section 2-201 - "Register" Defined

    (a)    “Register” means the register of wills of a county.    (b)    When an estate is being administered in equity, “register” means the clerk of the court.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-202 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 2 - Register of Wills|Section 2-202 - Full-Time Position

    (a)    Each register shall devote the register’s full working time to the duties of the register’s office.    (b)    The register shall not practice law during the term of the register’s office.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-202.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 2 - Register of Wills|Section 2-202.1 - Oath of Deputies and Clerks of Register

    Before assuming the duties of office, each deputy and clerk of a register shall take and subscribe the following oath:    I, (name), do swear that I will not for money, profit, or malice delay any person who applies to me for any business of the office of the register, or directly or indirectly ask, take, exact, demand, or receive from or charge to that person to my own use any fee or reward for any service I may do as a deputy or clerk of the register, and that in charging the fees of the office of the register I will not willingly charge other or higher fees than the law allows.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-203 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 2 - Register of Wills|Section 2-203 - Fees and Gifts Prohibited

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section with respect to an estate being administered or about to be administered in the office of the register, a register, deputy, clerk, or any other employee may not ask for, take, or receive from a person a fee, commission, gratuity, gift, or reward for performing a service.    (b)    The service referred to in subsection (a) of this section includes:        (1)    Giving advice;        (2)    Referring business;        (3)    Performing a service other than for actual expenses of travel incurred in connection with the probate of a will; or        (4)    Acting as agent, representative or in any other capacity for a surety corporation for which compensation is given directly or indirectly.    (c)    Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each offense.    (d)    This section does not apply to the payment of a fee authorized by § 2–206 of this subtitle.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-204 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 2 - Register of Wills|Section 2-204 - Bond

    (a)    (1)    At the time of assuming office, the register shall give bond to the State.        (2)    The provisions of § 2–105(b), (d), (e), and (f) of the Courts Article shall be applicable to the bond.        (3)    The bond shall be for the term of the register’s office in the form and for the penalty the Comptroller prescribes, with the advice of the Legislative Auditor.        (4)    The Comptroller may require that the penalty of a bond be supplemented or increased.    (b)    If the register fails to give bond before the register acts as register, the register is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall pay a fine of $1,000.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-205 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 2 - Register of Wills|Section 2-205 - Salary

    (a)    (1)    It is the intent of this section that each register shall receive a fair and adequate compensation for the effort and duties required of the register by the register’s office.        (2)    The volume and character of work done by the register shall be in comparison to the salary fixed by the Board of Public Works for each of the other registers.    (b)    (1)    Each register is entitled to receive an annual salary of not more than $124,500, to be determined in each instance by the Board of Public Works.        (2)    In determining the annual salary of the register, the Board of Public Works shall be guided in the exercise of its discretion by:            (i)    The population of the county determined by the last official United States census;            (ii)    The dollar volume of total fees and taxes collected and excess fees turned over to the State for each of the preceding 5 years by the office of the register for which the salary is being fixed; and            (iii)    Other pertinent data which have relation to the reasonableness of the salary in relation to the work done and volume handled by the office.    (c)    The minimum annual salary for the register in Baltimore City is $12,000.    (d)    (1)    The salaries of the registers shall be paid semimonthly from the fees and receipts of the office, after deducting the expenses of the office.        (2)    Expenses include salaries of deputies and clerks, books, stationery, office supplies, and other necessary and customary expenses of doing business.    (e)    (1)    (i)    If the fees and receipts of the office are insufficient in any fiscal year to pay all or a part of the expenses of the office and authorized salary of a register, the deficiency shall be funded from the taxes remitted to the Comptroller by the register during that fiscal year.            (ii)    Written authority for the transfer of funds shall be first obtained from the Comptroller.        (2)    In the event that tax collections for the fiscal year are insufficient, the Comptroller shall make up the deficit from excess fees remitted from all other registers.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-206 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 2 - Register of Wills|Section 2-206 - Enumeration of Fees

    (a)    (1)    In this subsection, “poverty” means:            (i)    At the time of the decedent’s death, the decedent’s family household income was less than 50% of the median family income for the State as reported in the Federal Register; or            (ii)    The personal representative is represented by an attorney retained through the Maryland Legal Services Corporation.        (2)    The registers of wills are entitled to charge and collect for the performance of their duties the fees in this section.        (3)    A register of wills shall waive any fees under this section for the administration of an estate if:            (i)    The real property of the decedent subject to administration in the State is:                1.    To be transferred to an heir of the decedent who resides on the property; or                2.    Encumbered by a lien against the property and subject to sale under Title 14, Subtitle 8 of the Tax – Property Article; and            (ii)    The estate is unable to pay the fees by reason of poverty.    (b)    (1)    For taking probate of wills and furnishing 2 certified copies of the will and codicils, granting letters of administration and furnishing 12 certificates of letters, issuing warrants to appraise, entering on estate docket, filing elections of surviving spouses to take intestate shares, filing renunciations and disclaimers, filing and recording wills, bonds, inventories, accounts of sale, releases, administration accounts, petitions and orders, and other papers filed in the administration of decedents’ estates not otherwise specified in subsections (c) through (l) of this section, the probate fees shall be as stated under paragraph (2) of this subsection.        (2)    Probate fees shall be assessed on the value of the probate estate at the following rates:
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-207 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 2 - Register of Wills|Section 2-207 - Report of Fees and Expenses; Excess of Fees; Deposit of Fees

    (a)    (1)    Every register shall return annually to the Comptroller a full and accurate account of the fees and receipts of the register’s office and of the expenses incident to the proper conduct of the register’s office.        (2)    The account shall be verified and in the form and supported by the proof prescribed by the Comptroller.    (b)    The excess of fees and receipts over expenses shall be delivered by the register to the Comptroller with each report.    (c)    The Comptroller shall deposit the fees received under this section in the General Fund of the State.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-209 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 2 - Register of Wills|Section 2-209 - Custody of Original Wills and Other Papers

    (a)    Any will, probated, or any paper filed in the office of the register may not be delivered out of the office to any person.    (b)    When a will or other paper is properly demanded for introduction in evidence, it shall be presented under the care of the register or the register’s deputy.    (c)    (1)    The register may comply with subsection (a) of this section byretaining a permanent paper file of a probated will in the office and a copy of any other file associated with the estate in paper, photographic, microprocessed, magnetic, mechanical, electronic, digital, or any other medium if the copy is maintained in a manner that:            (i)    Is clear and legible;            (ii)    Accurately reproduces the original document in its entirety, including any attachments to the document;            (iii)    Is capable of producing a clear and legible hard copy of the original document; and            (iv)    Preserves evidence of any signature contained on the document.        (2)    No sooner than 180 days following the closing of an estate, the register may dispose of any file associated with the estate other than the will if a copy of the file is retained by the register in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.        (3)    In consultation with the Comptroller and the State Archives to ensure uniform application throughout the State, the register shall develop standards in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-210 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 2 - Register of Wills|Section 2-210 - Personal Notice to Heirs and Legatees

    Within five days after receiving the text of the first published newspaper notice as provided in § 7–103 of this article and the written notice from the personal representative of the names and addresses of the heirs and legatees as provided in § 7–104 of this article, the register shall forward to each such person a copy of the newspaper notice published according to § 7–104 of this article, in the manner prescribed in § 1–103(a) of this article, directed according to the information received from the personal representative.
MD. Estates and Trusts Code Ann. §  2-211 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Estates and Trusts|Title 2 - The Court|Subtitle 2 - Register of Wills|Section 2-211 - Maintenance of Permanent Records

    (a)    The register shall maintain in the register’s office, for the purpose of recording the proceedings in connection with the administration of estates, a wills record book, an administration proceedings record book, a release record book, and a claims docket in addition to the claims against the nonresident decedents book described in § 5-503 of this article.    (b)    Immediately upon the administrative or judicial probate of a will the register shall record it, with every paper incidental to probate, in the wills record book, and the register shall index it under the name of the decedent.    (c)    Upon the final approval of the final administration account, all inventories, accounts, petitions, notices to creditors, and orders of court shall be recorded by the register in the administration proceedings record book, and indexed under the name of the decedent.    (d)    Every release shall be promptly recorded by the register in the release record book, in the order of their filing, and shall be indexed under the name of the releasor.    (e)    (1)    Every claim filed with the register under the provisions of § 8-104(c) of this article shall be entered by the register in the claims docket promptly upon receipt so that the record shall show the name of the claimant, the nature of the claim, and the amount of the claim.        (2)    Every entry relating to an estate or a decedent shall be indexed under the name of the decedent.