By State Senator Tony Guglielmo
One of the longest standing institutions in our state
is the probate court system. Dating back over three
centuries, to the earliest days of Connecticut’s
history, the probate court system has been in place
to handle all matters pertaining to the administration
of family wills and estates. What were once the responsibilities
of the state’s trial courts and the General Assembly,
probate courts were established throughout the state
to deal specifically with matters of probate comprising
of judges elected by voters in municipalities where
the court was established. While the system has undergone
some cosmetic changes over the years the main responsibilities
of the state’s probate courts has remained constant.
Today there are 117 probate districts in Connecticut.
Many towns have individual probate courts, while some
of the state’s more rural communities share their
courts. Because the current court system was created
by state statute, any changes to the makeup or responsibilities
of the courts can be made only by an act of the General
Assembly.
Over the years, some of our state’s smaller towns
have voluntarily consolidated their courts with neighboring
communities because, unlike the larger municipalities,
they have fewer cases brought before them. This does
not mean however that all probate courts in smaller
towns should be merged. That is why I voted against
legislation this year that seeks to “reform”
the state’s probate court system. It is my belief
that matters of probate are local matters and that we
should do everything in our power to keep them that
way.
PA 09-114 established a Probate Redistricting Commission
to develop a plan to consolidate the state’s probate
court districts to deal with a projected shortfall in
the Probate Court General Account. The commission is
made up of 13 members appointed by the Governor and
legislative leaders. Their redistricting plan must take
into account a number of factors including the size
and potential workload of the new district, geographic
accessibility, availability of municipal facilities,
and communities that may be interested in sharing a
proposed district. The commission must report back to
the legislature with a plan that reduces the number
of probate courts in Connecticut from its current 117
to around 50. Such a reduction would surely affect many
towns in eastern Connecticut that have smaller populations,
while keeping in place the probate courts in the state’s
cities and larger towns.
To find out more information regarding the charge of
the Probate Redistricting Commission go to http://www.jud.ct.gov/probate/Redistrict/default.htm
or contact me in Hartford at 1-800-842-1421.
|
