Register of Wills for Montgomery County
The Honorable Paul J. Dollahite, Register
Contact Us
Address Operating HoursImportant Information
DROP BOX/FILINGS: Filings cannot be accepted by fax or email. The Montgomery County Register of Wills encourages the use of the Courthouse Dropbox as well as mail to submit any paperwork. If the deadline is highly time‑sensitive and you need to ensure your documents are received without delay, please file them in our office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
APPOINTMENTS: While we are making appointments for in-person visits we are limited in the number of appointments per day and recommend submitting paperwork by mail or dropbox to expedite the process. Visitors to our office are encouraged to make an appointment for faster service, however walk-ins are welcome. Please click here for nearby parking facilities.
LIVE CHAT: We will continue to offer the live online Chat, which will be fully staffed by auditors and deputies from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Chat will not be available on holidays. We have found the Live Chat to be more efficient, however phone lines are still available as well. Please see our office phone contacts menu for the available department numbers.
COPY REQUESTS: The Records Department will continue to be Closed to the public. Any request for copies should be made online or by telephone.
MARYLAND ESTATE TAX RETURNS: Effective July 1, 2015 the MD Estate Tax Return is filed directly with the Comptroller. The form, with new filing instructions, can be found here: MET 1 Form
| Other Important Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Comptroller of Maryland: Maryland Estate Tax Division | 800-638-2937 |
| Comptroller of Maryland: Unclaimed Property Division | 800-782-7383 |
| Internal Revenue Service | 800-829-1040 |
| Legal Aid Bureau - Montgomery County | 240-314-0373 |
| Montgomery County Bar Association | 301-424-3454 |
| Montgomery County Land Records | 240-777-9477 |
| Montgomery County Trust Clerk | 240-777-9175 |
| Motor Vehicle Administration | 800-950-1682 |
| Social Security Administration | 800-772-1213 |
| Vital Statistics Administration (provides copies of death certificates) | 877-463-3464 |
| Volunteer Lawyers Service | 800-510-0050 |
OFFICE CONTACTS
| DEPARTMENT | NUMBER |
|---|---|
| New Proceedings Division (Letters of Administration for Small Estates) |
240-777-9620 |
| Orphans' Court Assistant (Hearings) |
240-777-9690 |
| Financial Analysis Division | 240-777-9640 |
| Data Processing Division | 240-777-9670 |
| Extensions | 240-777-9693 |
| Records Division (Additional Letters of Administration for Regular & Modified Estates & copy requests) |
240-777-9680 |
PUBLICATIONS AND ADDITIONAL MEDIA
- Estate Booklet (1/2026)
- Administering Estates in Maryland
Web Version (Translation Available) - Probate Mediation Brochure
- Probate Policies and Procedures 2026 (updated 10/1/2026)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Facts About Wills
- What You Need To Do To Open An Estate
- Small Estates (up to $50,000)
- Regular Estates (over $50,000)
- Modified Administration
- More Publications
The Honorable Paul J. Dollahite
Paul was unanimously selected by the Judges of the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, sitting as the Orphans’ Court to replace the late Joseph M. Griffin as Register of Wills. Paul, a lifelong resident of Montgomery County, is the first attorney to serve as Register.
Paul has been with the Register of Wills Office for seventeen (17) years as Orphans’ Court Administrator. In that capacity, he was involved with managing the Court’s docket and was responsible for reviewing every case before the Orphans’ Court and advising the Court on Estates and Trusts law.
Paul received his bachelor's degree in politics from the Catholic University of America where he was Captain of the Varsity Football team. He also received his Juris Doctor from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law. Before joining the Register's Office, he was a practicing attorney in Maryland for 13 years specializing in Estates and Trusts law and real estate settlements.
Paul and his wife of 29 years, Cindy, live in Kensington, Maryland and have two children.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY LINKS
- Aging & Disability Services
- City of Rockville
- Jewish Social Service Agency
- Montgomery County
- Montgomery County Bar Association
- Montgomery Hospice
- Savings Bond Calculator
OTHER LINKS
- Comptroller of MD - Estate Taxes
- Comptroller of MD - Unclaimed Property
- Death Certificates
- Kelley Blue Book
- IRS - Apply for EIN
- MD Attorney General - Protecting Seniors
- MVA
- People's Law Library
- Real Property Search
- Social Security
- State Bar Assn.
- Volunteer Lawyers Service
For A Historical List Of Montgomery County
Registers Of Wills
(MD State Archives Link)
Click Here