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Dorchester County Judge of the Orphans' Court District 2 {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

DUTIES: The Maryland Orphans’ Court is the state’s probate court and presides over the administration of estates; it also has jurisdiction over guardianship of minors. Orphans’ Court judges are responsible for the supervision of estates that must go through probate. They also may appoint Guardians for the person and property of minors. Orphans’ Court judges conduct formal hearings involving estate or guardianship disputes and rule on Petitions and Administration Accounts involved with estate and/or guardianship proceedings. The State Constitution does not require Orphans Court judges to be lawyers.BASE SALARY: $5,500TERM: Four years, no term limit.HOW ELECTED: Elected by qualified voters within Orphans’ Court District 2 which corresponds to Legislative District 37B within Dorchester County. Qualified voters within District 2 cast votes for two candidates.

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  • Candidate picture

    Benjamin James Cullen
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Bernie Dryden
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Don Murphy
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Amy J. Sareen
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

QUALIFICATIONS: How does your experience prepare you for the duties of this office?

PRIORITIES: What are your priorities for this office?

CHALLENGES: What is the greatest challenge facing the Orphans' Court system and how would you address it?

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Campaign Website http://www.votecullen.com
Campaign Phone 3016615157
Campaign Email benjamin.james.cullen@gmail.com
Campaign Mailing Address 902 Locust St
Cambridge, MD 21613
With 15 years of legal experience at Greenberg and Lieberman, LLC, I know my way around the system. As a resident of Cambridge for nearly a decade, I am certain I will provide an objective stance on any contentious case. I am a level-headed, even keel person, able to maintain an objectivity on issues facing the court, even when emotional citizens approach the bench to plead their case. I look forward to serving you with impartiality and fairness.
To ensure fairness and provide a valuable, impartial service to the residents of Dorchester County.
The greatest challenge is ensuring all residents are prepared, well in advance, of their necessity for a legally filed will and testament. If all residents were fully equipped with the knowledge and resources to have and maintain a will, there would be little need for this position. I strive to ensure all Americans are educated in the trappings of probate court, and work to equip all voters with the tools needed to avoid interfacing with the Orphans' Court.
I am running for re-election to the Orphans' Court in Dorchester County. The past four years have been very instructive and prepared me well for the challenges that lie ahead.
The priorities of the Orphans Court are to continue to serve the citizens of Dorchester County at a very difficult time in their lives. To ensure that the laws governing estates and trusts are complied with and that the wishes of the deceased are fulfilled.
The greatest challenge facing the Orphans' Court system is one of survival. This court system has served the state of Maryland since 1777. Current study to abolish this court serves no useful purpose and is a waste of time and money.
Campaign Phone 410-935-3720
Campaign Email DonMurphy12a@gmail.com
Campaign Mailing Address 3 Oakley St
Cambridge, MD 21613-1665
I am a two term (retired) member of the Maryland House of Delegates, having spent 8 years on the House Judiciary Committee where among other subjects we dealt with family law, estates, and trusts. As the Personal Representative / Executor of my family’s estate, I have first hand experience and understanding of the issues facing those who come before the Orphans' Court. I would be a non-conflicted, compassionate and empathetic arbiter of such cases.
In addition to the diligent discharge of my duties as a judge, I would use my position and platform to educate the community regarding the need for proper estate planning, so as to avoid probate proceedings (and the Court) altogether. Additionally, I would be an outspoken advocate for the continuation of the Orphans’ Court against efforts to abolish it, and for the continued use of duly elected lay judges.
The Orphans’ Court’s greatest challenge is the effort to eliminate lay judges. Requiring practicing (or retired) attorneys brings with it the potential for conflict of interest, or a reduced pool of candidates. Increasing the legal qualifications of judges will reduce the choices of voters, especially in the rural counties of the Eastern Shore. Such a result will only add to the call for the abolishment of the Orphans’ Court, an outcome that has occurred in some Maryland counties.
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