The Gavel: the official newsletter of the Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges [Vol. 18, No. 1(Fall 2012)]

The Official Newsletter of the Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges

Dear Judges,
HAPPY FALL! Cooler weather is just ahead, I hope! Issues have been heating up lately in regards to the Probate Courts that need all of our attention.
The "Circuit State Courts" issue is a concern for all of us and I thank you all for your immediate responses. As your Executive committee has followed this issue across the state we are finding State Court Judges, Superior Court Judges, Legislators and County Commissioners who are aware of our stand. Good Job on getting the word out!
The task (issue) of updating our Georgia Probate Court Standard Forms has been a huge job. We need to thank Judge Pam Ferguson and the Forms Committee for staying on top of it.

Our Judges Accreditation program has been a sticky issue for some but I believe that most of us are coming to accept the fact that this is good thing and not as hard as we thought it would be. No one likes to take tests but once you have your certification I am sure you will be proud of it!
There are many other issues which are too numerous to go into in this letter. However, my best suggestion for dealing with all issues before us is to educate yourself on them and then educate others.
Thank you for the confidence you have placed in me as your President!
Love and Best Wishes!
Mary Jo Buxton, CPCJ President

The issue of training provided at the New Judges Orientation was reviewed and our program was totally revamped. Judge Tammy Brown and the Training Council deserve kudos for all their hard work. With nearly 50 new judges this year we have the issue of needing trained Mentors. If you have not considered mentoring, please do.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Volume 18, Number 1
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FROM THE EDITOR

The goal of the Gavel is to provide you with valuable information concerning the Council of Probate Court Judges. If you have an interest or question for us to address please let us know by contacting me at candlerprobate@gmail.com or LaShawn Murphy at the AOC at LaShawn.Murphy@gaaoc.us. I wish to applaud the judges who use the listserv forum for queries that inform us all. Additionally I want to echo the sentiments of our CPJC President Judge Mary Jo Buxton who encourages us to communicate with our legislators and commissioners about proposed changes to our court system. Judge William Self, III at NCPJ and CPCJ meetings has advocated that we take such a proactive stance. Judge Woody Jordan made a similar point about the importance of knowing our unique court history

at the recent CPCJ training in Athens. In sum, we are the primary advocates for our courts. We should be alert for opportunities to defend and promote the unique role and purpose of probate courts. Our list serve helps disseminate information and "talking points" to that end. Please continue to share your thoughts and questions.
Respectfully,
Judge Tony Thompson Editor, The Gavel

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The Official Newsletter of the Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges

2012 -2013 CPCJ Officers

Volume 18, Number 1

CPCJ OFFICERS

The 2012-2013 Officers of the CPCJ from left to right: Judge Darn McCoy (Evans Co.) Secretary-Treasurer; Judge Kelley Powell (Henry Co.)
President-Elect; Judge Mary Jo Buxton (Johnson Co.) President; Judge L. Chase Daughtrey (Cook Co.) First Vice President
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SPRING SEMINAR, BUSINESS MEETING AND BANQUET

SPRING TRAINING

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SPRING SEMINAR, BUSINESS MEETING

AND BANQUET

cont.

The Official Newsletter of the Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges

Volume 18, Number 1

SPRING TRAINING

more pictures cont. on next page

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SPRING SEMINAR, BUSINESS MEETING AND BANQUET

MEETING BANQUET

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SPRING SEMINAR, BUSINESS MEETING AND BANQUET

The Official Newsletter of the Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges

Volume 18, Number 1

MEETING BANQUET

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STRATEGIC PLANNING 2012

STRATEGIC PLANNING

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STRATEGIC PLANNING 2012
cont.

The Official Newsletter of the Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges

Volume 18, Number 1

STRATEGIC PLANNING

As a critical component to the yearly development of the CPCJ and the services and representation it provides its membership, key Council members met to re-examine the strategic goals, assess the progress in implementing them and set goals for accomplishing those parts of the strategic business plan which had not yet been implemented. The session was conducted through a facilitator, Jim Poulakos of HKA Strategy, L.L.C. The strategic business plan will be voted on by the membership at the annual business meeting scheduled during the Fall COAG Conference.

CPCJ Vision - Excellence in the administration of justice in every Probate Court

CPCJ Mission Statement - To advance the common interests of and assist Probate Courts in fulfilling their responsibilities

CPCJ Guiding Principles

Probate Courts will:



Fulfill statutory responsibilities



Demonstrate integrity



Respect the independence and diversity of each court



Function collaboratively



Continuously improve



Engage all members.

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Report from the Training Council
Judge Tammy Brown, Chair
COAG Training will be the week of November 12, 2013 through November 15, 2013

TRAINING COUNCIL

November 12, 2013

4:00 pm

Training Council Meeting

November 13, 2013 November 14, 2013 November 15, 2013

9:00 to 12:00 1:00 2:00 2:00 5:00 8:30 9:00am 9:00 12:00pm Afternoon 9:00 12:00

Executive Board Meeting
Probate Judge Council Business Meeting
Mentor Training Overview of the JCCS (AOC)
COAG Joint Training Mentor Training

New Judges Orientation Training Week of November 26, 2013 through November 30, 2013, in Athens Georgia at the Georgia Center Probate Training for all New Judges will be Nov. 26 thru 12:00 noon on Nov. 29, 2013. Those judges with Traffic Jurisdiction will have Training beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Nov. 29, 2013 going through Nov. 30, 2013 ending at 5:00 p.m.

2013 Training Dates:

April 15 19, 2013 Spring Probate Judges' Training AND Probate Judges' Traffic Training Athens, Georgia

Tract 1 of Certificate Program (Those judges who participated in 2012 Athens Certificate Training) Estates 2; Civil Procedure 2

Tract 2 of Certificate Program (The new judges AND those who were unable to participate in 2012 Athens Certificate Training) Estates 1;Jurisdiction; Leadership

August 1, 2013 Pr Athens, Georgia Tract 1 Adult Guardianship Tract 2 Civil Procedure 1

August 5, 2013 Tifton, Georgia Tract 1 Adult Guardianship Tract 2 Civil Procedure 1

October 7-10, 2013 Fall COAG Training Savannah, Georgia Training Council is currently working on dates for Clerk's Training also.

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The Official Newsletter of the Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges
Volume 18, Number 1

HONORING JUDGE HARDAWAY

Pictured above: Mr. Hardaway and Judge Alice Padgett, Columbia County Probate Court
On July 18, 2012, a portrait was unveiled to honor the memory of
Judge Pat Hardaway who served as Probate Judge in Columbia County for 30 years until her death in July 2011. She was very active with the Council of Probate Court Judges and with the County Officers Association. She was seen as the judge who cared and would go the extra needed to help people.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF JUDGE PAT HARDAWAY

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COMINGS AND GOINGS

As the probate judges family changes, we want to bid a farewell to those that have departed and those that are set to leave. To those that have joined or are coming aboard, we say wel-
come and look forward to the camaraderie for years to come.

County:

Judge:

Former or Retiring Judge

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COMINGS AND GOINGS

1. Bibb County 2. Brooks County 3. Butts County 4. Camden County 5. Candler County 6. Columbia County 7. Dade County 8. Dooly County 9. Elbert County 10. Fannin County 11. Franklin County 12. Grady County 13. Gwinnett County 14. Habersham County 15. Hall County 16. Irwin County 17. Jackson County 18. Jeff Davis County 19. Jefferson County 20. Lowndes County 21. Meriwether County 22. Mitchell County 23. Morgan County 24. Muscogee County 25. Pickens County 26. Pierce County 27. Polk County 28. Quitman County 29. Richmond County 30. Seminole County 31. Spalding County 32. Taliaferro County 33. Telfair County 34. Terrell County 35. Twiggs County 36. Upson County 37. Walker County 38. Walton County 39. Washington County 40. Webster County 41. Worth County

Sarah Harris, Esq.

William "Bill" Self, II

Beth Hurst

Jo Ann Collins

Betsy Hearn Biles

Vicki W. Johnston

Shirley Wise

Martin Gillette

Tony Thompson

Charles Beasley

Alice Padgett, Esq.

Pat Hardaway

Kerri Bray Carter

Jan Ellison

Rooney Bowen

Dwayne Forehand

Stephanie Hewell

Susan Sexton

Scott Kiker, Esq.

Linda Davis

Ken Eavenson

Eddy Fowler

Denise Maddox

Sadie Voyles

Chris Ballar, Esq.

Walter "Jim" Clarke

Pamela Wooley

Sue Bottoms

Patty Walters Laine, Esq.

Patti Cornett

Ronnie McCurdy

Allen Gay

Sherry Moore

Margaret Deadwyler

Rhonda T. Herndon/Paul McNeal Arthur Buford

Ashloyn P. Lampp

Q.L. Bryant, Jr.

Terri Adams

Ruby Sirmans

John Rasnick, Esq.

Stiles Estes

Robert Richardson, Esq.

Susan D. Taylor

Charles Merritt, Esq.

Michael Bracewell

Marc D'Antonio, Esq.

Julia Lumpkin

David Lindsey, Esq.

D. Rodney Gibson

Moye Howard

Huey Davis

Linda H. Smith

Joyce B. Jones

Henry Balkcom IV, Esq.

Andrew Bennett

Carelton Vaughn/Harry James III(Esqs.) Isaac S. Jolles

Amos Sheffield, Esq.

Amy Bagwell

Jan Hunt

DeWitt W. Simonton, Jr.

Clarris Stephens

Martha Mayo

Dianne Walker (Term Limits)

Betty Johnson

Carol Speir

Nancy Fryer

Gary Nobles

Ken Fowler

Danielle McRae

Gary Hamby

Christy Anderson

Foye L. Johnson

Bruce Wright

H. Gary Adams

Russell Sheppard

Rachel Lord

Jimmy Bankston/Mary Hinman Lorene Tindol

Virginia Acord/Fidilia Griffin Sheryl H. Hall

Italics denotes Deceased. Bold denotes will be decided in November election.

Congratulations to:
Cook County Probate Judge Chase Daughtry was recognized in Georgia Trends "40 under 40" feature of top honorees in the field of business, government, politics, nonprofits, the arts, finance and the military. Check out the October 2012 issue on page 22.
Crisp County Probate Judge, Belinda Griffin on the arrival of her first grandchild!
In Our Thoughts...
Judge William Self, II lost his brother, J. Philip "Phil" Self, age 66 of Atlanta, Georgia, October 10, 2012. Phil, graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia (BBA-Acct'g) and summa cum laude from the UGA School of Law (J.D.), practiced law in Atlanta for over 35 year. He was a Certified Public Accountant. Retired Carroll County Probate Judge Helen Robison passed away at age 92 in September. She served for 20 years after assuming office when her husband Judge J. Gideon Robison died. Retired DeKalb County Probate Judge, William Marion Guess passed away in July after 32 years of service. He authored the Georgia Probate Notes in addition to numerous books. Judge Guess served as Vice President and President of the Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges and as President of the National College of Probate Judges. Judge Bob Smith, Hart County Probate Court on the loss of his wife Barbara in late June. Judge Lee Deloach, Bulloch County Probate Court on the loss of his mother Lucille Brannen Deloach in early June. She was 97. Judge Jan Hunt, Spalding County Probate Court lost her son Reggie Edwards in May. He was 42. Judge Kathy Martin, Lamar County Probate Court on the loss of her sister, Jacquelyn "Jackie" Burnette Cooper in April. She was 74. Retired Cherokee County Probate Judge, Kip McVay lost her father, Retired Air Force Colonel Birch G. McVay in April. He was 88. Former ICJE Conference Facilitator, Ms. Sherry Carson lost her daughter in- law- Karyn Carson (Oconee County 2009 Teacher of the Year) to Lou Gehrig's disease in March. She was 42. We also reflect and note that Columbia County Probate Judge Pat Hardaway died in July of 2011. Judge Hardaway served for 31 years with an illustrious career that continues to be well remembered. It bears noting that Long County Sheriff Cecil Nobles died in January of this year after serving for 13. He was the longest serving Sheriff in Georgia and second longest in the nation. He was 76.

CONGRATULATIONS IN OUR THOUGHTS

The Official Newsletter of the Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges Volume 18, Number 1
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N2e0w1s2 My Chambers...Judge William Self, II

MY CHAMBERS

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Sixty-nine days and counting......
Due to removal of old Lektrievers (the Ferris wheel file systems) and the installment of new machines, attached are two pictures of how my Chambers have looked for three weeks. I'm stuck in my VERY small (9' x 12') library.
Man, am I going out in style!

The Official Newsletter of the Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges
Volume 18, Number 1

FALL CONFERENCE

continued on next page

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FALL CONFERENCE

The Official Newsletter of the Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges
Volume 18, Number 1

COAG

http://www.coag.info/2012-fall-conference
Probate Judges, Superior Court Clerks and Tax Commissioners will hold their training sessions at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront, while the Sheriffs will meet at the Hyatt Regency Savannah.
Probate Judges, Superior Court Clerks and Tax Commissioners will begin their training sessions on Tuesday morning.
The Sheriffs will begin Tuesday afternoon. Individual training will continue on Wednesday morning and hold our business meeting and joint training on Wednesday afternoon.
We will hold our Banquet on Wednesday evening and continue training on Thursday morning.

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KEY FOR DISTRICTS
DISTRICT 1 JUDGE DEBORAH ANDERSON
DISTRICT 2 JUDGE DWAIN BRACKETT

MAP PROBAPTROEBACTEOCUOURRTTDIDSTIRSICTTSRICTS

DISTRICT 3 JUDGE ANN JACKSON
DISTRICT 4 JUDGE KATHRYN MARTIN

DADE

CATOOSA

FANNIN

UNION

TOWNS

RABUN

WALKER

WHITFIELD MURRAY

GILMER

CHATTOOGA

1GORDON

PICKENS

FLOYD

BARTOW

CHEROKEE

WHITE LUMPKIN

HABERSHAM
STEPHENS

DAWSON

2

FRANKLIN BANKS

HART

FORSYTH HALL

JACKSON

MADISON

ELBERT

FULTON

POLK HARALSON

PAULDING

COBB

DOUGLAS

3

CARROLL

FAYETTE

CLAYTON ROCKDALE

GWINNETT BARROW

CLARKE

WALTON OCONEE

DEKALB

NEWTON HENRY

MORGAN

OGLETHORPE

5

WILKES

GREENE

TA

LIAF

ERRO WARREN

MCDUFFIE

LINCOLN COLUMBIA RICHMOND

COWETA

JASPER

PUTNAM

HEARD TROUP

4
MERIWETHER

SPALDING

BUTTS

PIKE LAMAR UPSON

MONROE

JONES
6

BIBB

HANCOCK BALDWIN

7 GLASCOCK JEFFERSON

WASHINGTON

WILKINSON

BURKE JENKINS

HARRIS

TALBOT

CRAWFORD

TWIGGS

JOHNSON

EMANUEL

SCREVEN

MUSCOGEE

CHATTAHOOCHEE

MARION

TAYLOR

PEACH HOUSTON BLECKLEY

MACON

LAURENS
9

TREUTLEN

CANDLER

BULLOCH
11 EFFINGHAM

MONTGOMERY

STEWART

WEBSTER

SCHLEY
8
SUMTER

QUITMAN

TERRELL

LEE

RANDOLPH

DOOLY

PULASKI

DODGE

WHEELER

CRISP

WILCOX

TELFAIR

TURNER

BEN HILL

JEFF DAVIS

TOOMBS

EVANS

TATTNALL

BRYAN CHATHAM

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APPLING

LIBERTY LONG

CLAY

CALHOUN

DOUGHERTY

WORTH

IRWIN TIFT

COFFEE

BACON

WAYNE

McINTOSH

EARLY MILLER

12 BAKER MITCHELL

COLQUITT

13
COOK BERRIEN

ATKINSON

LANIER

PIERCE
14 WARE

BRANTLEY

SEMINOLE

DECATUR

GRADY

THOMAS

BROOKS

LOWNDES

CLINCH

CHARLTON

GLYNN CAMDEN

ECHOLS

DISTRICT 5 JUDGE SUSAN TATE
DISTRICT 6 JUDGE JANICE SPIRES
DISTRICT 7 JUDGE LEE MOSS
DISTRICT 8 JUDGE ROONEY BOWEN, III
DISTRICT 9 JUDGE RUBY NELL SANDERS
DISTRICT 10 JUDGE LARRY THRELKELD
DISTRICT 11 JUDGE BETH MOSLEY
DISTRICT 12 JUDGE WES LEWIS
DISTRICT 13 JUDGE CHASE DAUGHTREY

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DISTRICT 14 JUDGE CALVIN BENNETT