Probate Division judges oversee matters involving wills, estates, guardianships, adoptions, and certain mental health cases. They supervise the administration of estates after a person’s death and determine the validity of wills. Probate judges also appoint guardians for minors and adults who are unable to manage their own affairs, ensuring legal protections are in place.
Campaign Phone
614-487-3526
Occupation
Chief Magistrate, Franklin County Probate Court
Education
Juris Doctor, New England School of Law; B.A. in Sociology, Ohio University, with minors in Political Science and Women’s Studies.
Qualifications for Office
I have served more than 15 years as a magistrate in the Franklin County Probate Court, including five years as Chief Magistrate overseeing court operations and community partnerships. I served as Probate Chair of the Ohio Association of Magistrates, teach probate law for new magistrates and judges through the Supreme Court of Ohio, and have worked on statewide probate legislation.
I have served as a magistrate in the Franklin County Probate Court since 2010 and have 15 years of experience as a judicial officer, including the past five years as Chief Magistrate. In that role, I preside over guardianship, estate, adoption, and mental health cases and oversee aspects of the court’s operations, including the development of local rules and administrative policies. I have also contributed to statewide probate legislation and partner with community organizations to improve public understanding of probate law. I teach probate law to newly appointed magistrates and judges through judicial education programs of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
I am seeking this seat because I care deeply about the mission of the Probate Court and the people it serves. I have seen firsthand how the court’s work affects families during extremely difficult and important moments in their lives. Probate Court decisions protect vulnerable adults through guardianships, help families settle estates, and create permanent families through adoption. Having spent the majority of my career in this court, I understand both the legal work and responsibility of ensuring the court operates fairly, efficiently, and with respect for every person who comes before it. I am committed to continuing efforts that improve access to the court and strengthen partnerships that help families navigate the legal process.
Judges must follow the law and established precedent to ensure consistency, fairness, and stability in the legal system. Precedent provides an essential framework for decision-making, but each case must also be carefully considered on its own facts and the applicable law. When discretion is required, it must be exercised thoughtfully and guided by the purpose of the law and the evidence presented. Courts must also remain accessible so that individuals understand the process and the decisions that affect them. Decisions grounded in the law, informed by careful fact-finding, and clearly explained reinforce the rule of law and strengthen public confidence in the courts.
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