Q: My father recently passed without leaving a will and very few registered assets with low value. What is our next step?
My father lived in Maryland, was not married, did not own a home, and has no debt nor retirement accounts. His only registered assets are a boat ($5k value), Md commercial fishing license, furniture and older firearms. He leaves behind myself (next of Kin), significant other, and my half brother (significant other's son). My father was drawing social security at the time of his passing. He and his significant other were married previously however they did legally divorce years ago. They reunited 20 years ago and have lived together since that time.
A: This is a question for Maryland probate lawyers, not Florida lawyers.
Phillip William Gunthert agrees with this answer
A: Very sorry for your loss and the passing of your father, please accept my condolences. You will end up needing to work with and speak with a Maryland Probate Attorney. In Florida there is a small estate option (Disposition of Property without Administration), you may want to look into a similar option in Maryland if it is available. Whether the boat can be transferred via the dmv in the State of Maryland you should check into that as well. The guns could be a problem likely, based on how many and their value, none the less, a small estate probate may be possible or an action similar to a Florida Summary Administration if available in Maryland.
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