Teresa “Terry” Dayton Wheatley has filed to continue in her role as Dorchester County’s Register of Wills.

Mrs. Wheatley was appointed to this position by Judges Calvin Travers, George Ames Jr. and Carolyn I. Todd in November 2020, following the death of Doris Keene Lewis.

As a 1972 graduate of Cambridge High School, she began her legal career in 1972 with the law office of state Sen. Frederick C. Malkus. She expanded her career by working for Mr. Malkus in legislative sessions in Annapolis.

She has extensive training in real estate settlements, estate planning and probate work. Following Mr. Malkus’ retirement in 1994, she continued her legal career at the law firm of Wilson & Collison, with emphasis on probate. In 1999, she joined the Dorchester County Register of Wills office as a deputy, a post she held until 2012 when she was appointed chief deputy.

A lifelong resident of Dorchester County, Mrs. Wheatley is married to her high school sweetheart of 50 years, Ricky Wheatley; they are the parents of five sons.

The Register of Wills is a public office established under the Constitution of Maryland. Elected every four years, the Register of Wills may assist and advise any person in the preparation of forms for administrative probate but are prohibited from rendering legal advice.

The Register of Wills also serves as Clerk to the Orphans’ Court. The Orphans’ Court hears all matters involving contested estates and supervises all estates that are probated judicially. Judicial probate is a proceeding that takes place when matters cannot be handled administratively.

A Democrat, Mrs. Wheatley will face Republican Carla Spear of Vienna in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 8.