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Register of Wills · Montgomery County · 2026 Primary
The Register of Wills oversees the legal process of settling a person's estate after they pass away, ensuring assets are distributed correctly to heirs and beneficiaries according to the law. This office is responsible for maintaining permanent records of wills and probate documents while also collecting inheritance taxes on behalf of the state. By managing these sensitive transitions, the official ensures the orderly and transparent transfer of property within the community.
View all candidates in this raceAlan Bowser is a 73-year-old Silver Spring attorney and former federal worker running for Montgomery County Register of Wills in the June Democratic primary. He was born in New York City, grew up in East Orange, NJ, and earned degrees from Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs (BA), Johns Hopkins University (MA in International Relations and International Economics), and Georgetown University Law Center (JD). Bowser has been a practicing attorney in Montgomery County for over thirty years specializing in family law, small business advisory services, and wills, trusts and estates. His federal career included service as an economist at the US Treasury, staff member of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger, positions at USDA, House of Representatives, DOT, VA, and World Bank Group. He is a life-long Democrat who has served as Democratic Precinct Chair in Silver Spring for many years and currently serves as Chair of Committee for Montgomery, Inc.
Sources: Campaign website
Support our Countywide campaign to continue the tradition of the Register of Will's professionalism and service to the residents of Montgomery County.
Alan Bowser is the progressive leader we need to transform the Montgomery County Court House with greater accountability, transparency and representation.
As your Register of Wills, I will be present throughout the County and will answer all questions regarding our work and the important issues facing our community.
Our objective will be to educate all t's a fact, a sad fact, that no one from our communities of color have ever held a leadership position in the County Court House, in our rapidly changing community.
As Montgomery County Register of Wills, Alan Bowser will continue the proud tradition of professionalism, compassion and service that distinguished the work of the Honorable Joseph "Joe" M. Griffith.
Source: alanbowser.com
Transparency
Bowser states that leadership in the Montgomery County Court House are State officials elected by all voters but are rarely present in communities and their decisions don't reflect community input
“The leadership in the Montgomery County Court House are State officials, elected by all the voters in the County. Yet, these officials are rarely present in our communities and their decisions don't reflect community input.”
Accountability
Bowser commits to being present throughout the County and answering questions regarding work and important issues facing the community
“As your Register of Wills, I will be present throughout the County and will answer all questions regarding our work and the important issues facing our community.”
Representation
Bowser highlights that no one from communities of color has ever held a leadership position in the County Court House despite rapid demographic changes
“Our objective will be to educate all t's a fact, a sad fact, that no one from our communities of color have ever held a leadership position in the County Court House, in our rapidly changing community.”
Advocacy
Bowser advocates for better wages and conditions for Court House employees and the general public
“It's about time that our Court House officials advocated for better wages and better conditions for Court House employees and the general public”
Compassionate Service
Bowser commits to continuing the tradition of providing compassionate service during periods of grief when residents lose loved ones
“Our goal will be to continue providing the most compassionate service to the residents of Montgomery during the periods of grief and sadness that attend the loss of loved one.”
Silver Spring resident and attorney Alan Bowser filed his candidacy on January 20, 2026, becoming the third Democrat to enter the race for Montgomery County Register of Wills following the August death of former register Joe Griffin who had served nearly 26 years. The other candidates are Barbara Ebel, a longtime state workforce development official who filed in late November, and Paul Dollahite, former administrator of the Montgomery County Orphans' Court appointed to serve the remaining months of Griffin's four-year term. Bowser previously ran unsuccessfully three times for Montgomery County Clerk of the Court and is a practicing attorney specializing in probate services such as drafting wills and trusts and family law.
“Alan Bowser is the progressive leader we need to transform the Montgomery County Court House with greater accountability, transparency and representation.”
Source“Our objective will be to educate all t's a fact, a sad fact, that no one from our communities of color have ever held a leadership position in the County Court House, in our rapidly changing community.”
Source“Founder of Montgomery County's annual Tribute to America's Veterans Concert”
Source