From what you say, all property has already passed to you under the estate, and the estate is closed. The property is no longer "estate" assets, but your personal property. Do with it as you please. It may be prudent to have some form of written statement (even an email will do)... View More

Pay a real estate lawyer for an hour of his or her term to review the deed and address any proper citation to legal authority based on your situation, and have that lawyer electronically file the deed. The last thing you ever want to screw up is a deed in the land records, which will come back to... View More

Generally speaking, no. In order to be liable, there would have to be a written agreement to that effect. Otherwise, it's generally assumed that utilities are included in the rent.

However, I will note that if you refuse to do so and you are on a month-to-month lease, the logical move... View More

Liens have different "priority" depending on the circumstances and what you're asking is basically a question of priority. Tax liens generally have priority IF all proper procedures are followed in the tax sale foreclosure case. However, merely purchasing at tax sale in Maryland... View More

You will not be personally liable on the mortgage, but the mortgage still has to be paid or the lender can foreclose, sell the property at auction, and the first proceeds received will be applied to your tax lien interest because it has priority over the mortgage balance due. I cannot answer as to... View More

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answered on Apr 22, 2025

You can also avoid probate using a trust, which is a better solution. Your mother should consult with an attorney about the adverse consequences to her of the outright gift method if she ever needs to go into a nursing home. You should consult an attorney regarding the adverse tax consequences to... View More

It sounds right, but you would be well served to plan her estate at once instead of piecemeal. For example, you write of a Maryland house, but the question is posted from DC. The state estate and inheritance tax is different in those two places. And, Ms. Whitehurst is correct that a trust does this... View More

I agree with the other two answers. Setting aside the question of qualifing for Medicaid for longterm nursing home care (assuming she would even qualify for Medicaid given her assets), from your financial standpoint it would make more sense if she purchased the house in the name of her existing... View More

At least 2 other options would avoid probate without triggering the need for a gift tax return and without losing the stepped up basis as would happen with an outright gift purchase. One such option is to hold the property in a Revocable Living Trust, the other would be to hold through a life... View More

You toll the statute of limitations by filing the lawsuit providing adequate notice of the claim. This late, the defendants' best move is to pretend they have no problem with your delay in making the claim. Once you miss the deadline, they will move -- successfully -- to dismiss your case.... View More

State transfer tax exemptions are contained in section 12-108 of the Tax Property article of the Maryland Annotated Code. State recordation tax exemptions are contained in section 13-207 of the same article. Local transfer tax codes will vary from county to county. Yes, some jurisdictions in MD... View More

Unfortunately, the answer is yes. The eviction can proceed. Sometimes the landlord might try to delay it or otherwise work with people so that they can get their money, but if they wish to proceed, they are fully within the law to do so.

If you want to sue them for the business assets, i.e., the house, then you're going to have a statute of limitations problem on your claim for waiting for 7 years after the business was closed and filed for bankruptcy, and potentially an issue with the bankruptcy court, since it sounds like... View More

Yes, you can register and drive a de-commissioned ambulance as a used truck. You must remove all emergency lights and logos/wording/markings designating it as an emergency vehicle (the words “emergency,” “EMS,” crosses, etc.). You should check with the MVA whether anything else must be... View More

Your question leads to many projected answers, but mostly to more questions. It is plausible that they have interpreted the HOA rules wrong after 27 years, or that you have rights from a prior version of the same rules. There are adverse possession issues, unless the claim is undercut by missing... View More

Obviously, you would like to leave the fence where it is.

First, you need to look at your HOA governing documents and covenants filed in the land records, or better, have a lawyer do so, and review issues relating to the right to claim adverse possession over common community property of... View More

Have you considered the effect of losing the income tax benefit of stepped up basis before worrying about the exemption code for the recordation tax? You really need to consult a lawyer or, at least, a CPA, to determine whether you are exempt from all taxes. You might be, but your focus on a... View More

Deeds in Maryland usually trigger state transfer, recordation and county transfer taxes. The Maryland Annotated Code, Tax Property article, section 12-108 lists exemptions from state transfer tax. Exemptions from recordation tax are listed in 13-207. County transfer tax exemptions vary... View More

I agree with the other two answers. I am adding this additional response so that you can undertand some of the tax consequences and reconsider what you are doing so as to avoid those extra taxes.

When a person sells their property during their lifetime, they may realize a capital gain,... View More

His overseas assets will be distributed according to the law of the country where those assets are located. Therefore, you will need to locate a lawyer in that country and open an estate there to pass ownership to his children, assuming that is who inherits under the laws of Bangladesh.