Subchapter II. Abbreviated Probate Proceeding.
§ 20–311. Nature of proceeding.
(a) Upon request for abbreviated probate contained in a petition for probate, the Register of Wills:
(1) May admit a will to probate; and
(2) Shall appoint one or more personal representatives based on the statements contained in the petition for probate.
(b) The Register of Wills may require additional verified proof, which shall be filed in the proceeding.
(c) The finality of abbreviated probate shall be governed by § 20-331.
§ 20–312. Action on petition.
(a) General. — Upon a request for abbreviated probate filed in accordance with section 20-304, the Court shall appoint one or more personal representatives, except as provided in section 20-322. The appointment of a personal representative shall constitute an Order for unsupervised administration, unless the Order specifically provides for supervised administration as provided in section 20-402. In no event, however, shall the appointment of a personal representative be delayed pending the Court’s decision with regard to whether the administration will be supervised or unsupervised.
(b) Wills. — In the case of a petition to admit a will to abbreviated probate, due execution of the will shall be presumed and the Court may admit a will to probate either: (1) if the will appears to have been duly executed and contains a recital by attesting witnesses of facts constituting due execution; or (2) upon the verified statement of any person with personal knowledge of the circumstances of execution, whether or not the person was in fact an attesting witness, reciting facts showing due execution of the will.
