Campaign Phone
4106899806
Campaign Instagram
@lynch4register
I am a Calvert County Estates & Trusts lawyer with over 40 years of experience in drafting wills and estate planning documents and guiding families through the legal process of probate after the loss of a loved one. I have a Master of Laws Degree in Federal Income Tax and have been honored to teach at Catholic University Law School. Public service is both a privilege and duty and I believe my academic, practical and legal experience will allow me to efficiently serve as Register of Wills.
Abraham Lincoln did not have a will at the time of his death. Procrastination and unwillingness to accept the certainty of death are the most common reasons. It is estimated that 45% to 50% of Calvert County residents do not have a current will to ensure their loved ones are provided for when their life journey ends. I would encourage Calvert Lawyers to offer no-cost or discounted cost estate plans to fulfill attorney's annual pro-bono reporting requirements to the Supreme Court of Md.
The Register of Wills is a critical service position in the community and modernization will expand and enhance that service. 42 states including Maryland have enacted digital will statutes or allow electronic probate administration in addition to paper filing. Using electronic filing as well as the paper filing system in use since the first Calvert Register of Wills served in 1777 is estimated to reduce probate legal fees to Calvert residents by 30% according to the American Bar Association.
Social media is an importantly part of family life and Facebook and YouTube outpace all other social media sites as places where Americans regularly get news and information. 38% of U.S. adults regularly get news on Facebook and as the next elected Register, I would establish a Calvert County Register of Wills Facebook page as the Maryland Dept. of Education currently has done to make available information on the importance of a will and estate planning, new laws and probate administration.
The debate of whether Orphan's Court Judges should be attorneys has been ongoing since 1777 when the Court was established. Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Prince George's County require the Orphan's Court members to be lawyers and Montgomery, Howard and Harford counties have abandoned the Court altogether. The Orphan's Court follows the Maryland Rules of procedure and presides over will challenges involving legal principles and I believe a legal background is necessary in my experience.
My priorities as the next elected Register of Wills would be the establishment of a Register of Wills Facebook page as a cost effective way to reach the citizens of Calvert County, establishing an Orphan's Court Zoom link to make hearings accessible to the public and allow for remote access to enhance transparency, and modernizing electronic filing of probate documents to allow 24/7 access to the office of the Register of Wills reducing the cost of the probate process for Calvert residents.
Campaign Phone
4102577508
With 48 years of experience, I have the legal knowledge, technical experience and leadership ability to provide professional, confidential and compassionate service to ALL. Registers cannot set policy nor practice law; however, they are available to assist and guide families during one of the most traumatic times in their lives - loss of a loved one. Maryland law applies to all counties therefore Registers must comply with State law and not create local rules and laws.
The Register and staff are available to assist you with administrative forms and to guide you through the legal requirements. We admit wills to probate, appoint Personal Representatives, monitor reporting deadlines, audit accounts and are responsible for the administration of all estates. Over 65% of estates in our office are $50,000.00 and under. The majority of these are done in our office, as we assist the Personal Representatives, without an attorney.
I will continue to provide the efficient and compassionate service we presently provide, while always striving to improve. We have a Statewide web-based program that provides you with information from each county in the State of Maryland. Information on probate law, forms, estates and so much more can be located here. If you decide to order copies, day or night, you just submit your credit card information, and a PDF will be sent to you. I am available by phone if you prefer.
I have a history of consistently working with individuals and groups such as Office on Aging, Senior Centers, Calvert Library, Hospice, NAACP, Asbury Solomons, Calvert Health, various churches and other organizations to keep them aware of the law and services we provide and to promote planning. I will continue these efforts. My door is always open to assist.
It may be a good idea. Per Maryland law, the Court may conduct judicial probate, direct conduct of a Personal Representative, summons witnesses, issue orders that may be required during administration. The Register of Wills has responsibility for administration of estates. The Court has legal authority and can hold hearings when matters are in dispute or Personal Representatives are delinquent in their duties.
First and foremost, to continue to serve the citizens in the very best way possible - professionally, confidentially and compassionately. Second, and we are almost there - to finalize our state program to allow electronic filing for estates. Third, to continue to assist and work with those who are not computer knowledgeable. Death of a loved one is a traumatic event, and many people need someone to talk with to assist and guide them. I AM THERE FOR THEM.
