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HB 199

Estates - Maryland Uniform Simultaneous Death Act

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Crosby

HB 199 adopts the Uniform Simultaneous Death Act to establish standardized rules for estate distribution when multiple people die at the same time or in uncertain circumstances.

First Reading Judiciary
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Bill Summary · HB 199

Legislative bill overview

HB 199 would adopt Maryland's version of the Uniform Simultaneous Death Act, a model law that establishes rules for distributing property when multiple people die at the same time or in circumstances where the order of death cannot be determined. The bill provides legal clarity on intestate succession and probate procedures when simultaneous deaths occur.

Why is this important

Simultaneous or near-simultaneous deaths—such as in accidents, disasters, or when spouses die within days of each other—create significant legal ambiguity about who inherits whose property. Without clear statutory rules, courts must make individual determinations that can be costly, time-consuming, and unpredictable. Adopting the uniform act provides standardized, predictable procedures that reduce litigation and simplify estate administration.

Potential points of contention

  • Deviation from existing Maryland law: The bill may alter how Maryland currently handles simultaneous death cases, potentially affecting expected inheritance outcomes in specific scenarios
  • Burden of proof standards: The uniform act typically presumes equal survivorship in uncertain situations, which could disadvantage some heirs compared to traditional rules
  • Applicability to specific instruments: Questions may arise about whether the act applies uniformly to wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and jointly-held property

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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