Maryland Insurance Section 16-110

      (a)      If a resident of the State dies intestate and leaves an estate that consists of assets, including life insurance proceeds, in a total amount not exceeding $1,000, an insurer may pay the life insurance proceeds to the decedent's surviving spouse, child, or parent, without the grant of letters of administration, if the individual to whom payment is to be made provides the insurer with:

            (1)      an affidavit that states that the entire estate of the decedent, including life insurance proceeds, does not exceed $1,000; or

            (2)      a letter of administration as provided by the Small Estate Law, §§ 5-601 through 5-607 of the Estates and Trusts Article.

      (b)      The insurer may pay the share of a minor to an institution or to a relative of the minor, with custody of the minor, without requiring the institution or relative to be appointed the legal guardian of the minor.

      (c)      Payment by an insurer under this section, or under a facility of payment clause in a policy of life insurance, discharges the insurer from all further liability with respect to the life insurance proceeds.