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