I have over 40 years' experience as an attorney, and over 25 years' experience as an estate planning and probate attorney. I have 12 years' experience as the probate judge. I have organized and led the state-wide training for probate judges, have been a frequent presenter at that training, and I am a mentor to several judges around the state.
Upon becoming probate judge, I reviewed the processes used by the court and took several measures to streamline the process for the staff; eliminating duplication of effort and manual entries.
I also arranged for advanced training for the staff, and arranged for at least one staff member per year to attend the annual probate judge training conference. The staff essentially receives the same training as the non-attorney probate judges receive.
Ease of access to the forms needed by applicants has been implemented, and the staff, while they cannot give legal advice, is trained to recognize errors in the documents so that they may be corrected without the applicant needing to make another trip to the court.
In the past, I personally produced a YouTube video describing the probate process to the public. Due to the extensive training I implemented, the County Clerk's staff is skilled in answering basic questions about which form may be needed and its purpose.
I am always available to staff to answer questions brought up by the public so the answer may be conveyed to that person. As a judge, I have to be wary of ex parte communications with parties to a probate, so I limit direct contact with them. Having the staff convey questions insures I can determine if the question is appropriate to answer and protects the process for everyone.
I am a life-long conservative Republican. I have served the party as a County Chair, a State Vice-Chair, as a delegate to the national party convention on two occasions, and have served on the national platform committee once, and the state platform committee numerous times.
My wife and I have been married 43 years, have 3 grown children, and nine grandchildren.
I teach a Bible study class in my church and I am a deacon there. I was a long time Scoutmaster and now serve youth in Trail Life - a values-based scouting-type program.
I am a 30-plus year member of the San Juan Rotary Club and a three time Paul Harris award recipient - the highest award a club can give.
I am a pilot, ham radio operator, and a former CCW instructor.
