§ 2-203. Fees and gifts prohibited

   (a) Receipt of fees and gifts. -- Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section with respect to an estate being administered or about to be administered in the office of the register, a register, deputy, clerk, or any other employee may not ask for, take, or receive from a person a fee, commission, gratuity, gift, or reward for performing a service.

(b) Enumeration of service. -- The service referred to in subsection (a) of this section includes:

   (1) Giving advice;

   (2) Referring business;

   (3) Performing a service other than for actual expenses of travel incurred in connection with the probate of a will; or

   (4) Acting as agent, representative or in any other capacity for a surety corporation for which compensation is given directly or indirectly.

(c) Violations. -- Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $ 1,000 for each offense.

(d) Exception. -- This section does not apply to the payment of a fee authorized by § 2-206 of this subtitle.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 93, § 2-203; 1974, ch. 11, § 2; 1976, ch. 189, § 2; 1987, ch. 11, § 1; 2010, ch. 72, § 5.