Estates and Trusts - Jurisdiction Over Property of Minors or Disabled Persons - Authorized Transactions, the official text

WES MOORE, Governor                                   Ch. 433

Chapter 433

                   (House Bill 1062)

AN ACT concerning

Estates and Trusts – Jurisdiction Over Property of Minors or Disabled Persons –
                                           Authorized Transactions

FOR the purpose of authorizing a circuit court to authorize or direct a transaction that
         grants access to financial records or establishes eligibility for government assistance
         programs for a minor or disabled person under a certain circumstance; and generally
         relating to assuming jurisdiction over the property of a minor or disabled person.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
         Article – Estates and Trusts
         Section 13–204
         Annotated Code of Maryland
         (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)

         SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

                   Article – Estates and Trusts

13–204.

         (a) (1) If a basis exists as described in § 13–201 of this subtitle for assuming
jurisdiction over the property of a minor or disabled person, the circuit court, without
appointing a guardian, may authorize or direct a transaction with respect to the property,
service, or care arrangement of the minor or disabled person.

             (2) The transactions described under paragraph (1) of this subsection

include:

             (i) Payment, delivery, deposit, or retention of funds or property;

             (ii) Sale, mortgage, lease, or other transfer of property;

             (iii) Purchase of contracts for an annuity, life care, training, or

education;

                           (iv) Making the election to take an elective share of an estate subject
to election under § 3–403 of this article; [or]

             (V) GRANTING ACCESS TO FINANCIAL RECORDS;

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Ch. 433  2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND

                         (VI) ESTABLISHING  ELIGIBILITY  FOR  GOVERNMENT
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS; OR

         [(v)] (VII) Any other transaction described in:

         1. § 13–203(c)(2) of this subtitle;

         2. Title 9, Subtitle 2 of this article; or

         3. § 15–102 of this article.

         (b) Before approving a transaction or arrangement under this section, the court
shall consider the interests of creditors and dependents of the minor or disabled person and
whether the property of the minor or disabled person needs the continuing protection
provided by a guardian.

         SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2026.

Approved by the Governor, May 12, 2026.

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