LA PLATA, Md. — A state fiscal compliance audit of the Charles County Office of the Register of Wills found no deficiencies, violations or other findings after reviewing more than four years of the office’s financial operations.
The Maryland Office of Legislative Audits released the report in August 2026 following a review covering March 16, 2022, through April 30, 2026. The office oversees the administration of estates in Charles County, assists people administering estates and collects inheritance taxes and other fees.
“Our audit did not disclose any findings,” Legislative Auditor Brian S. Tanen wrote in an Aug. 18 letter accompanying the report.
Auditors examined financial transactions, records and internal controls while evaluating the office’s compliance with applicable state laws, rules and regulations.
The review focused on major financial areas including cash receipts, disbursements, corporate purchasing card activity, bank accounts and the administration of estates.
For fiscal year 2025, the Charles County office reported $1,773,366 in gross receipts. That included $1,168,623 in inheritance tax collections, net of commissions, and $604,743 in fees and commissions.
Operating expenses totaled $785,661 during the same fiscal year, with salaries and wages accounting for most of those costs. Many of those expenses were paid directly by the Comptroller of Maryland.
Auditors found no deficiencies in the design or operation of the office’s internal controls and no instances of noncompliance with applicable laws, rules or regulations.
Because the audit resulted in no recommendations, the Office of the Register of Wills was not required to submit a written response.
The audit was conducted under generally accepted government auditing standards and included document reviews, transaction testing, interviews with personnel and observations of office operations.
Read the full audit report for the Charles County Office of the Register of Wills below:
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