Quick facts
- Court
- Orphans' Court for Somerset CountyMost estates are opened with the county Register of Wills; the Orphans' Court decides contested matters.
- Address
- 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853
- Phone
- 410-651-1696
- Hours
- Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Website
- Official court website
- Case lookup
- Search probate cases and records
Court details last updated . Court name from Maryland Judiciary.
Filing fees
| What you file | Fee |
|---|---|
| Small Estate ($10k - $20k) | approximately $100 |
| Small Estate ($20k - $50k) | approximately $150 |
| Regular Estate ($50k - $75k) | approximately $200 |
| Regular Estate ($75k - $100k) | approximately $300 |
| Regular Estate ($100k - $250k) | approximately $400 |
| Regular Estate ($250k - $500k) | approximately $500 |
| Certified copies of Letters | approximately $5 per copy |
| Publication costs | approximately $100-$300 depending on the newspaper |
As listed on the court's website, last checked . Fees change; confirm the amount with the clerk before you file or on the court's website.
What to bring
What Maryland courts usually ask for when you open an estate with a will. Your county may ask for a little more or less, so check with the clerk first.
- The original will.
- A death certificate.
- The funeral contract or bill.
- The approximate value of assets in the person's name alone, and titles to any vehicles.
- Names and addresses of the people interested in the estate.
- The estate forms and any filing fee.
Source: Maryland Register of Wills, checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Forms
Forms the court lists
Maryland probate forms to download
3 PDFs.
Links on the court's website
- Please click here for the form
- Petition for Administration of a Small Estate
- List of Interested Persons
- Appointment of Resident Agent
- Small Estate Notice of Appointment Notice to Creditors Notice to Unknown Heirs
- Petition for Administration of Regular Estate
- Notice of Appointment Notice to Creditors Notice to Unknown Heirs
- Bond of Personal Representative
- Nominal Bond of Personal Representative
Federal forms an executor may need, such as IRS Form 56 or Social Security and VA forms, are on the federal forms page.
Probate in Maryland
- Simple probate
- 6-12 months
- Complex estate
- 12-18 months
- Small estate limit
- $50,000 ($100,000 for a surviving spouse)
State-level figures from our Maryland probate guide. General information, not legal advice.
Common questions
Where do I file probate in Somerset County, Maryland?
File with the Orphans' Court for Somerset County at 30512 Prince William Street, Princess Anne, MD 21853. The court's phone number is 410-651-1696.
How much does it cost to file probate in Somerset County?
The fees we have on record for the Orphans' Court for Somerset County are: Small Estate ($10k - $20k): approximately $100; Small Estate ($20k - $50k): approximately $150; Regular Estate ($50k - $75k): approximately $200; Regular Estate ($75k - $100k): approximately $300; Regular Estate ($100k - $250k): approximately $400; and Regular Estate ($250k - $500k): approximately $500, plus 2 more listed on this page. Other fees may apply; confirm the current amounts with the clerk before you file.
When is the Orphans' Court for Somerset County open?
Listed office hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
How long does probate take in Maryland?
A simple probate in Maryland usually takes about 6-12 months. A complex estate can take 12-18 months.
Is there a small estate option in Maryland?
In Maryland, the small estate administration has a limit of $50,000, or $100,000 for a surviving spouse in some cases (Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 5-601). The limit is $100,000 when the surviving spouse is the sole legatee or heir (§ 5-601(c)); the register charges no fees in that case (§ 5-606(c)). Small estate administration covers all Maryland property subject to administration, including real property; the register can direct a sale to pay expenses (§ 5-603).
Where can I get probate forms for Somerset County?
This page links 3 Maryland probate forms you can download as PDFs, listed under Forms.
Notes
The Orphans' Court for Somerset County handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death. Probate matters are handled by the Register of Wills located in the county courthouse.
Your next step
- Maryland probate guide
How probate works in the state, step by step.
- Maryland executor fee calculator
The fee the statute sets, with a worked example.
- Maryland small estate checker
Check the estate's value against the state's limit.
- DeathUSHow many certified death certificates you'll need
The court, banks and insurers each want a certified copy; count them before you order.
- DeathUSWhat letters testamentary are
The court document that lets the executor deal with banks and title companies.
- DeathUSWhat to do when someone dies: a checklist
The first days and weeks, from the death certificate to closing accounts.
Funeral homes near the Somerset County probate court
- FuneralUSHinman Funeral Home
Princess Anne, MD · under 1 mi from the court
- FuneralUSAnthony E. Ward, Jr. Funeral Home
Crisfield, MD · under 1 mi from the court
- FuneralUSHolloway Funeral Home, PA
Salisbury, MD · 12 mi from the court
- FuneralUSSearch all funeral homes on FuneralUS
Find more funeral homes near Somerset County on the FuneralUS map.