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Will Contest Deadline in Maryland

In Maryland, a petition to caveat (contest) a will must be filed within 6 months after the first appointment of a personal representative, and a no-contest clause is void if there was probable cause for the challenge.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Maryland at a glance

Deadline to contest
6 months
If a different will is offered later, a caveat to it may be filed within the later of 3 months after that probate or 6 months after the first appointment.
Clock starts
First appointment of a personal representative
No-contest clauses enforced
Yes, unless probable cause existed
A penalty clause is void if probable cause exists for the contest or other proceeding.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Maryland

How long do you have to contest a will in Maryland?

Deadline to contest in Maryland: 6 months. If a different will is offered later, a caveat to it may be filed within the later of 3 months after that probate or 6 months after the first appointment.

When does the deadline to contest a will start in Maryland?

Clock starts in Maryland: First appointment of a personal representative.

Are no-contest clauses in wills enforceable in Maryland?

Yes, unless probable cause existed. No-contest clauses enforced in Maryland: yes, unless probable cause existed. A penalty clause is void if probable cause exists for the contest or other proceeding.

Where do the Maryland will contest deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Md. Code, Est. & Trusts 5-207 and Md. Code, Est. & Trusts 4-413. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Deadlines for will contests are often short and strictly applied. Knowing exactly which event starts the clock in the state where the will is probated, such as the date of admission, the date notice was mailed, or the date of publication, matters as much as knowing the length of the period.

Only people with a legal stake in the estate can usually contest a will, such as heirs who would inherit without the will or beneficiaries named in an earlier will. A contest also needs a recognized legal ground. Being disappointed with the amount left to you is generally not enough on its own.

A no-contest clause (also called an in terrorem clause) says a beneficiary who challenges the will loses their gift. Whether such a clause is enforced, and whether there is an exception for challenges brought with probable cause or in good faith, depends on state law. Anyone weighing a challenge, and anyone drafting a will, can check the state statute and may want to talk to a probate attorney.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.