Sen. Carney appointed to bipartisan commission to create plan to incorporate the probate courts into the judicial branch

AUGUSTA — Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, has been appointed to the Commission To Create a Plan To Incorporate the Probate Courts into the Judicial Branch by Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash.

“Although the Legislature has had the ability to merge the probate courts with the state court system for over a half century, we have yet to consolidate these court systems.” said Sen. Carney, who chairs the Judiciary Committee. “I’m honored to be the Senate chair of this commission, leading the process to establish a probate court system with full-time judges that will continue doing its good work and increase access to justice for Maine families at the most vulnerable times in their lives.”

The commission will create a plan for a probate court system with full-time judges. In doing this, the commission will explore features that would ensure timely, convenient and meaningful access to justice; promote judicial responsibility and adherence to the code of judicial responsibility; provide adequate professional staff; reflect efficient practices in scheduling and case management; and allow for convenient and consumer-friendly processing of matters that are not contested. In addition, the commission will decide how the new merged system will be funded.

The commission consists of Democratic and Republican members of both the House and Senate, and will release its final report by Dec. 1, 2021.

###