Maryland Will Signing Day Kit: Maryland's Witness and Notary Rules, Signing-Day Checklist, Witness Sheet and Original-Will Record

Who it is for

Anyone signing a will in Maryland, and the family member, friend or office helping set up the signing. Who can make a will, per the official page: 18 or older (Nolo, citing Md. Est. & Trusts 4-102).

Not the right fit if

The person signing isn't in Maryland, you still need the will written (that's a lawyer's job), or someone may contest it. Not a will form or a legal service.

Why it is different

• Built only from our Maryland will signing data file, checked November 2026 against Maryland 2022 Laws Chapter 176 (HB 576), amending Estates and Trusts 4-102 (Maryland General Assembly); Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Maryland (Nolo, updated August 2025).
• 1 fact isn't stated on those pages, so the kit leaves it out and lists it once to look up, instead of guessing.
• Sources: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2022RS/chapters_noln/Ch_176_hb0576T.pdf https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/maryland-make-will-31695.html
• For the estate side in Maryland, the Maryland Executor and Estate Kit: Probate assets of $50,000 or less, or $100,000 if the surviving spouse is the sole legatee or heir. For deaths before October 1, 2012 the limits were $30,000 and $50,000.

What is inside

• Start here. The 6 confirmed Maryland facts at a glance; to look up on the official page: a witness who inherits.
• Maryland signing-day checklist. Bring 2 witnesses. The rule: Two or more credible witnesses, in the testator's physical or electronic presence. Pick witnesses who get nothing under the will and aren't married to someone who does. No self-proving affidavit to arrange for this state: No separate affidavit is needed. Per Nolo (citing Md. Est. & Trusts 5-303), a will that is signed and witnessed correctly doesn't have to be proved to the probate court, so there's no self-proving affidavit to make. The testator signs (or acknowledges the signature) while the witnesses watch, then each witness signs. Remote witnessing: The testator and all witnesses may be in each other's physical or electronic presence. This checklist is for a typed will signed with witnesses. A handwritten will follows different rules: Only for a member of the armed services outside the U.S.
• Witness information sheet. One block per Maryland witness (2 required, plus a spare).
• Original-will storage and location record. Where the original is and who has copies. Handwritten wills in Maryland: Only for a member of the armed services outside the U.S.; entirely in the testator's handwriting, and void one year after discharge unless the testator has died or lost capacity (Nolo, citing Md. Est. & Trusts 4-103).
• Maryland will signing tracker (Excel). Steps, ID, copies and review dates. Remote witnessing in Maryland: The testator and all witnesses may be in each other's physical or electronic presence. Electronic wills: Authorized through a certified will: a paper copy of the electronically signed will with a certification, made by a supervising attorney or by the testator with a notary.