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Terms Used In Maryland Code, ESTATES AND TRUSTS 3-413

  • Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • County: means a county of the State or Baltimore City. See
  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • including: means includes or including by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. See
In an action arising under this subtitle, a court may:

(1) On a showing of clear and convincing evidence, modify:

(i) The calculation of the value of an augmented estate;

(ii) The calculation of the value of an estate subject to election;

(iii) The calculation of the value of spousal benefits; or

(iv) The sources of payment of an elective share;

(2) Consider the circumstances of any transfer or arrangement, including:

(i) The extent of control retained by the decedent;

(ii) The motivation for the transfer or arrangement;

(iii) The familial relationship between the decedent and the beneficiary of the transfer or arrangement;

(iv) The degree, if any, to which the transfer or arrangement deprives the surviving spouse of property that otherwise might form part of the value of the augmented estate, estate subject to election, or spousal benefits;

(v) The degree, if any, to which the transfer or arrangement provides a benefit to the surviving spouse beyond what would be available to the surviving spouse as part of the elective share;

(vi) The length and nature of the relationship between the decedent and the surviving spouse;

(vii) The nature and value of the surviving spouse’s assets; and

(viii) The relationship of the beneficiary of the transfer or arrangement to any previous owner of the property subject to the transfer or arrangement;

(3) Award reasonable attorney’s fees;

(4) Pass orders requiring the holder or recipient of any portion of an augmented estate, an estate subject to election, or spousal benefits to provide any information that the court considers necessary to determine the value or sources of payment of an elective share; and

(5) Transmit issues of fact relating to the value or sources of payment of an elective share to the circuit court of the county in which the election under § 3-403 of this subtitle is filed.