Candidate Spotlight: Marc Knapp

Candidate for Orphans' Court

View Marc Knapp's profile on Civoren →

Most people don't spend much time thinking about the Orphans' Court, and Marc certainly didn't. In fact, before first considering a run for office, he had never even heard of it.

"I had no idea what it was," he admitted with a laugh.

But after learning more about the court's role in handling probate matters, estates, and related legal proceedings, he realized it was an office where he could put decades of legal, financial, and professional experience to use in service of the community.

Today, as he seeks re-election to the Orphans' Court, Marc hopes voters will understand the importance of a court that affects families during some of the most difficult and emotionally charged moments of their lives.

That commitment to voter education is one of the reasons he joined Civoren.

Unlike many political races, Orphans' Court campaigns aren't typically driven by major policy debates or headline-grabbing issues. Marc says that can make it difficult for voters to learn about candidates and understand what qualifications actually matter for the role.

Rather than relying on campaign mailers or endless text messages, which he admits he usually ignores himself, he prefers giving voters a place where they can learn about his background, experience, and approach to the job.

For Marc, that background matters.

Before joining the court, he built a career that included work in law, banking, consulting, and financial services. He is a member of the Maryland Bar and has spent years working with issues related to estates, trusts, and complex legal matters. When he first looked at the candidates running for the court several years ago, he believed his experience could bring something valuable to the bench.

"I felt like I could add value."

While much of the court's work involves routine administrative matters, he believes it is especially important that families understand how decisions are made when disputes arise. Throughout his first term, he frequently advocated for providing clearer written explanations for significant rulings so that litigants would understand not only what decision was made, but why.

To Marc, transparency is not simply a matter of good government. It's a matter of fairness.

When families come before the court, there is often a winner and a loser. Even when people disagree with the outcome, he believes they deserve a clear explanation of the court's reasoning.

"People should know what the court was thinking."

That perspective occasionally put him at odds with others on the bench. Marc described several disagreements during his first term over court procedures, written opinions, and how decisions should be communicated to the public. While those disputes were sometimes contentious, he says they reinforced his belief that courts function best when their reasoning is clearly documented and accessible.

Looking back on his first term, that push for clearer language is one of the accomplishments he is proudest of.

As voters prepare to make their decision, Marc believes the most important question is not political ideology but qualifications.

Orphans' Court judges oversee matters involving estates, inheritance disputes, guardianships, and other legal issues that can have significant consequences for families. While not every case requires extensive legal expertise, Marc argues that experience becomes especially important when difficult or complex situations arise.

"This county pays for a functioning court. People deserve a court that can handle the tough cases."

More than anything, he hopes voters take the time to learn about the office itself and the candidates seeking to serve in it. For someone who once had never heard of the Orphans' Court, he now spends much of his time explaining why it matters. And if re-elected, he hopes to continue bringing experience, independence, and transparency to a court that often operates outside the public spotlight.