FY2021 Adopted Budget

FY2021 Adopted Budget Organizational Budgets

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Orphans ¶ Court This is a probate court with jurisdiction over estates which are administered judicially. It is especially concerned in wills to minors and the appointment of guardians for them. The three presiding Judges of the Orphans ¶

Court in Frederick County are elected on a partisan basis for four-year terms. A judge must be over 30 years of age, a resident of Maryland and their jurisdiction for twelve months before their election and of the Circuit for six months. There are no professional qualifications. They are responsible for approving administration accounts, ensuring that only appropriate payments are made from estate assets and that distributions are made appropriately. The Governor appoints the Chief Judge from among the three elected. The Court is in session two mornings a week.

HISTORY T HE O RPHAN ͛ S C OURT SYSTEM WAS FIRST CREATED IN M ARYLAND UNDER THE A CTS OF 1777. I T OWES ITS NAME TO THE FACT THAT THE CHILDREN OF DECEASED MALE LANDOWNERS WERE CONSIDERED ORPHANS UPON THE DEATH OF THEIR FATHER .

[www.mdcourts.gov/orphanscourt/history]

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