4. FAQS ABOUT OUR SAFEKEEPING SERVICE
Should I mail my will or bring it to the office?
Our office is located in the Circuit Court at 9250 Judicial Way, Suite 1100, Ellicott City, MD 21043. You
can (1) mail your will to us with a check for $5.00 made payable to “Register of Wills,” or (2) bring your
will and payment into our office during our normal business hours, 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday through
Friday. If you mail your will, a receipt for payment will be mailed to the address listed on the check
unless otherwise specified.
Which forms of payment do you accept?
If you mail us your will, you may pay by check or money order. If you bring your will into the office to
be filed, you may pay by check, money order, cash, or credit card. There is a 3% fee for credit card
transactions, so the total fee for this service would be $5.15.
Should I file the original will or a copy?
You should file your original Last Will and Testament or Codicil. In Maryland, copies of these documents
may be admitted to probate after someone dies, but there are additional procedures that must be
followed and no guarantee it will be honored. When you file your original papers, our office will be
happy to make copies for you at no charge.
3. FAQS ABOUT WILLS (Continued)
Is a will from another state valid in Maryland?
If the will from another state conformed with the requirements of a valid will in the state in which it
was executed, it will be valid in Maryland.
Can I change my will?
Yes. A will can be changed at any time before death if a person is competent. The changes should not
be made by alteration to the existing will but by a document called a "codicil," which is an amendment
to a will. A codicil must be executed with the same formalities as a will. You can register your codicil
for safekeeping just as you would a will.
When Should A Will Be Changed?
A will should be reviewed whenever a significant change in personal or financial circumstances
occurs. For example, a change in marital status warrants a review of the will.
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