CBG to Discuss How to Settle Your Estate

Nancy Jewell will describe the process of settling your estate after your death to the Community Breakfast Group (CBG) at their February 13 meeting. Nancy is the Register of Wills for Kent County.

The Office of Register of Wills is a public office established under the Constitution of the State of Maryland. The Constitution provides for a Register from each county and the City of Baltimore. Each Register is elected by qualified voters for a four-year term of office at the time of the gubernatorial election.

The Register of Wills is responsible for appointing personal representatives to administer decedents’ estates and for overseeing the proper and timely administration of these proceedings. We also perform the following duties: assist and advise the public in the preparation of all required forms; maintain and preserve the permanent record of all proceedings; serve as the Clerk to the Orphans’ Court; track estates and refer delinquent matters to the Court; determine and collect inheritance taxes and probate fees/court costs; audit accounts of personal representatives and guardians; mail various notices and court orders to interested persons; and, verify compliance with court orders. As a service we provide safekeeping for wills of living persons.

This meeting is a must for all. One way or another, most of us will be involved in carrying out these obscure legal duties at some point in our lives. There can be serious consequences if these duties are not carried out properly. Nancy can be a great help in estate planning and settling your family’s estates in such a way you can avoid these problems.

The CBG meets for breakfast every Thursday at 7:30AM at the Holiday Inn Express in Chestertown. Our meetings start promptly at 7:30AM, so you may want to come at 7:15AM to at least get your breakfast.