Maryland Transfer-on-Death Deed

Maryland lawmakers passed the Maryland Transfer-on-Death Deed Act as Chapter 750 in 2026, but the law carries a future start date: it becomes effective October 1, 2026, and covers any TOD deed signed before, on, or after that date as long as the property owner dies on or after October 1, 2026. As of today's August 2026 vantage point, this is a real, enacted tool that simply isn't operative yet — so it can't yet substitute for the deed forms and title practices families are using in the meantime.

Once live, the Act will let a property owner transfer Maryland real estate to one or more beneficiaries effective only at death. It's nontestamentary, meaning it bypasses the will process, but the deed still has to be signed, notarized, and recorded in the land records of the county where the property sits before the owner passes away. Nothing about notifying the beneficiary, getting their acceptance, or exchanging payment is required while the owner is alive.