Quick answer: Maryland attorney fees are not tied to the personal representative commission table. Under Est. & Trusts § 7-602 they must be fair and reasonable, subject to court review. Routine estates commonly cost $2,000–$8,000; complex or contested estates can exceed $15,000.
How Maryland probate attorneys bill
A separate, open-ended standard
This is a key Maryland point: the personal representative's commission is capped by the § 7-601 table, but the attorney's fee sits under the separate § 7-602 "fair and reasonable in light of all the circumstances" standard. The two are not the same, and the attorney fee is not a fixed percentage. Hourly rates run about $250–$500.
The combined-fee cap
Maryland courts also cap the combined total of commission and attorney fees to what is reasonable for the whole administration — so they don't simply add without limit. A court can reduce either to keep the total fair (a principle from long-standing Maryland case law).
Do you need an attorney?
Maryland does not strictly require one for a small estate, but full administration — and especially estate-tax or inheritance-tax filings — is far easier with counsel. Consider one when:
- The estate is large or includes real property or a business.
- The estate is above the $5M estate-tax exemption, or has non-close-relative heirs (10% inheritance tax).
- Heirs disagree, or the will may be contested.
How to keep Maryland probate attorney fees down
- Qualify for small estate administration ($50,000, or $100,000 spouse/child).
- Ask for a flat fee for a routine estate, in writing.
- Organize the inventory and tax documents before meeting the attorney.
- Plan with a trust — avoids probate entirely.
Attorney fees are only one piece. See the full picture in the Maryland probate cost breakdown, or estimate your total with the Maryland probate cost calculator.