Can you use a transfer-on-death deed in Maryland?
Yes. In Maryland, an owner may transfer real property at death by a transfer-on-death deed that meets the requirements for a deed, states that the transfer occurs at the owner’s death and is recorded in the county land records before the owner’s death, and it stays revocable. This is the Maryland Transfer-on-Death Deed Act (Chapter 751 of 2026), in effect since October 1, 2026. The deed is effective without notice to, delivery to or acceptance by the beneficiary during the owner’s life, and without consideration. It is revocable even if it says otherwise, by recording before death an executed and acknowledged later transfer-on-death deed, instrument of revocation or ordinary deed that revokes it; a revocatory act on the deed or a will cannot revoke it. If it names several beneficiaries without saying how they hold, they take as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. This is Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 14-1003, 14-1004, 14-1005, 14-1006, 14-1008.
| What | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Transfer-on-death deed | Allowed since Oct. 1, 2026; record before death |
Source
Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 14-1003, 14-1004, 14-1005, 14-1006, 14-1008
Read the statute in the Maryland Code (Maryland General Assembly): mgaleg.maryland.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
An owner on Seayora keeps each property’s owners of record, its entity and its documents in one place, so who holds title and how is on file beside the leases and the books.
Guides on this rule
- Joint Tenancy and Transfer-on-Death Deeds by State — How each state reads a deed to two or more people, survivorship rules, and where a transfer-on-death deed is allowed by statute.
Compare this rule in every state
More Maryland rules
- Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Maryland?
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Maryland?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Maryland?
- How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in Maryland?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in Maryland?
- How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in Maryland?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late rent fee in Maryland?
- How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Maryland?
- Can a landlord change the locks to force a tenant out in Maryland?
- How long does a tenant have to respond to an eviction case in Maryland?
- What are squatters’ rights in Maryland?
- What are the steps to evict a tenant for unpaid rent in Maryland?
- Can a landlord refuse a Section 8 voucher in Maryland?
- Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Maryland?
- What happens if a tenant breaks a lease in Maryland?
- Do HVAC contractors need a license in Maryland?
- Do you need a general contractor license in Maryland?
- Do you need a license to do electrical work in Maryland?
- Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Maryland?
- Does a home improvement contractor need a license or registration in Maryland?
- How does joint tenancy with right of survivorship work in Maryland?
- What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in Maryland?
- Do contractors charge sales tax in Maryland?
- Every Maryland rule on one page
The same question in other states
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas