Nicole Cook, Samantha Capaldo, and their colleagues from University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Extension wrapped up a year of in-person workshops across Maryland with a free webinar series on June 5th, June 12th, and June 19th. The series provided essential education about heirs’ property—land passed down informally within families, often without a will or legal documentation, resulting in shared ownership among multiple descendants.
Heirs’ property is common in many communities, especially among communities of color, low-income communities, and rural communities. This form of land ownership can lead to complex legal and emotional challenges if not properly addressed, putting family land and generational wealth at risk.
The workshops and webinars offered participants a solid understanding of heirs’ property and its impacts on families and communities. Attendees learned how to identify land held as heirs’ property, explored the cultural and legal considerations connected to it, and examined strategies for prevention and resolution. The sessions also emphasized the importance of communicating effectively with family members about heirs’ property issues and highlighted available solutions for resolving them.
Because the programming was presented by ALEI, it focused specifically on Maryland laws and practices. Participants gained state-specific knowledge on critical topics, including what makes a will valid in Maryland, what happens if someone dies without a will, Maryland’s probate process, and how the new Partition of Property Act in Maryland helps protect family land.
The webinar recordings will available for free soon.
