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Register of Wills · Howard 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 raceByron E. Macfarlane is a Howard County native first elected Register of Wills in 2010, becoming the county's first openly LGBTQ+ elected official and the youngest Register in Maryland history. He attended Glenelg High School, the University of Maryland College Park, the University of Baltimore School of Law, and the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives program. His background includes serving as Legislative Director to Delegate Peter Franchot from 2004 to 2006, a member of the Howard County Democratic Central Committee since 2006, and a DNC Delegate for Hillary Clinton in 2016. Macfarlane lives in Columbia with his rescue Dalmatian, Chief, and values community involvement through Bar Associations and civil rights advocacy groups. He is running for re-election to continue his mission of providing compassionate, professional service while implementing reforms to make probate more efficient and equitable for families.
Sources: Campaign website
As the first openly gay elected official in Howard County history, I'm deeply honored to receive my fifth consecutive endorsement from Victory.
It's an honor to serve as Howard County's Register of Wills. For the past 15 years, it's been my mission to provide compassionate and professional service, implement meaningful reforms, advocate to make probate in Maryland more efficient, less expensive, and more equitable for families, and be active and engaged in our community.
I ran for Register to provide outstanding service to people who come to us at one of the hardest times in their lives.
Source: byronforhoco.com
Probate Service Reform
Modernized an atrophied office into a model of efficiency with perfect audits and returned stored wills to individuals who moved out of the county.
“Under my leadership, it's become a model for how government can be professional, responsive and compassionate, and can be capable of innovation and reform. He undertook the office's first-ever audit of its wills being stored for safekeeping, returning nearly 3,400 wills to individuals who had moved out of Howard County.”
Community Engagement
Fosters strong ties with members of the diverse community through library visits, college courses, and local events like Howard County Pride.
“He knows the importance of planning ahead and making sure our final wishes are carried out... It is because he feels this kind of outreach and engagement is so essential that he's made community outreach a hallmark of his tenure as Register.”
“taught law school, and volunteered for years in our public schools, helping children understand the importance of voting and making their voice heard.”
Source“received back-to-back perfect audits from the Maryland Office of Legislative Audits. He's overseen an office that has taken in over $50 million in revenue and every single penny is accounted for.”
Source“spoken at every library and 50+ center in Howard County, conducts a course every semester at Howard Community College, meets with civic, professional, and faith groups.”
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