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 1 N2e0w1s2 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 2 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 3 N2e0w1s2 SPRING SEMINAR, BUSINESS MEETING AND BANQUET SPRING TRAINING 4 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 5 N2e0w1s2 SPRING SEMINAR, BUSINESS MEETING AND BANQUET MEETING BANQUET 6 SPRING SEMINAR, BUSINESS MEETING AND BANQUET The Official Newsletter of the Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges Volume 18, Number 1 MEETING BANQUET 7 N2e0w1s2 STRATEGIC PLANNING 2012 STRATEGIC PLANNING 8 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. 9 N2e0w1s2 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. 10 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 11 N2e0w1s2 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 12 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 13 N2e0w1s2 My Chambers...Judge William Self, II MY CHAMBERS 14 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 15 N2e0w1s2 16 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. 17 N2e0w1s2 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 10 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 18 DISTRICT 14 JUDGE CALVIN BENNETT