DEATH CERTIFICATE - In Maryland, the Maryland Department of Health's Division of Vital Records is the primary agency that issues certified copies of death certificates for individuals who died in the state. For deaths that occurred prior to 2012, you may need to contact the Maryland State Archives. Death Certificates are considered official proof of death and contain much additional information such as cause of death, location of death, time of death and some other personal information about the deceased
DEBTS OF THE DECEDENT - A debt owed by the Decedent of the Estate. Secured Creditors have collateral for the debt owed, such as a mortgage or auto loan. Unsecured Creditors do not have collateral and tend to be credit cards, personal loans, health care professionals/facilities or other individuals.
DECEDENT – The person who has died.
DECLARATION OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP - In order to be treated similar to a spouse in a Probate matter, Domestic Partners must Register their Domestic Partnership with the Register of Wills in their County of Domicile. The Register of Will then issues a Certificate of Domestic Partnership. There are numerous benefits to doing so. In an Intestacy (no Will), the Spouse generally inherits and also enjoys Priority of Appointment as Personal Representative of the Estate. In addition, an inheritance to a Spouse is not subject to the 10% Inheritance Tax whereas an inheritance by a non-registered Domestic Partner is subject to the tax.
DEED OF DISTRIBUTION – A property deed executed to transfer Real Property, such as a home, from an Estate to an Heir of the Estate as a Distribution-In-Kind.
DISTRIBUTION-IN-KIND – When an Heir of an Estate inherits property of the Estate rather than cash proceeds from the sale of the property. A Distribution-In-Kind may be in the form of a vehicle, a home or an investment or investment account.
DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP – In order to be treated similar to a spouse in a Probate matter, Domestic Partners must Register their Domestic Partnership with the Register of Wills in their County of Domicile. The Register of Will then issues a Certificate of Domestic Partnership. There are numerous benefits to doing so. In an Intestacy (no Will), the Spouse generally inherits and also enjoys Priority of Appointment as Personal Representative of the Estate. In addition, an inheritance to a Spouse is not subject to the 10% Inheritance Tax whereas an inheritance by a non-registered Domestic Partner is subject to the tax.
DOMICILE – The County of Domicile is the County where the Decedent resided when they died. AN Estate is generally Probated in the Decedent’s County of Domicile.