A Transfer-on-Death Deed allows a Maryland property owner to transfer the ownership of their real estate to a named beneficiary when the current property owner dies. This means that property ownership is transferred without going through probate, and the current homeowner keeps control of the property during their lifetime. This law took effect on October 1, 2026.
For more information about this estate planning option, check out the People’s Law Library of Maryland article Transfer-on-Death and Life Estate Deeds as well as the Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service Guide. Our AACPLL Wiki also provides more information about estate planning and deeds.
To learn about more new Maryland laws effective October 1, 2026, the 90 Day Report – A Review of the 2026 Session published by the Department of Legislative Services of the General Assembly of Maryland provides a great overview and discussion of laws passed during the 2026 legislative session, as does this Maryland State Bar Association summary of new laws of interest to its members.
