MD HB596

Requires an individual to survive another by at least 120 hours (5 days) to inherit property, with survival established by clear and convincing evidence; those who fail to meet this threshold are deemed to have predeceased the decedent

Replaces Maryland's existing simultaneous death provisions (Sections 10-801 through 10-805) with updated language conforming to the Uniform Simultaneous Death Act

Establishes evidentiary standards for determining death, including acceptance of certified death certificates as prima facie evidence and a presumption of death after 5 continuous years of unexplained absence

Provides exceptions to the 120-hour survival requirement when governing instruments contain explicit language addressing simultaneous deaths, specify different survival periods, or when application would cause property to escheat to the state

Protects payors and third parties from liability when distributing assets in good faith reliance on apparent entitlement, while establishing procedures for handling disputed assets through probate court