This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

A Pleasure and Honor

I am writing to say what a pleasure and honor it has been to serve the people of the nine-town 33rd Probate District for the last seven years and seven months as judge of probate. When I was first elected in 2010, I was tasked with consolidating the nine individual town courts into one court known as the “Saybrook District” Court, which is located in the Old Saybrook Town Hall. This merger went smoothly, due in no small part to the extraordinary efforts of the court clerks and the cooperation of the retiring judges.

Once the court was up and running, we held approximately 1,000 hearings per year. Although most people believe that the Probate Court handles mostly estates and trusts, the reality is that conservatorships, children’s matters, guardianships, and adoptions comprise more than half of our matters.

I had the pleasure of meeting countless people during my two terms, which I found very interesting. In addition to the normal changes in the laws, there were major changes in two specific areas; the first was the procedures regarding conservatorships and the second was the change in the law regarding powers of attorneys. Both of these changes added certain protections for the people being conserved or people who are giving powers of attorney.

In addition to thanking my constituents for their trust and support, I want to thank the local probate bar (attorneys) who represented their clients with respect and dignity, and were professional in their interactions with the court. Last, I want to thank my clerks who continuously handle very difficult issues with grace and kindness. Thanks go to all.

Terrance D. Lomme

Essex