New Probate Court Opens January 5 in Windsor Locks

The Tobacco Valley Probate Court is scheduled to open in Windsor Locks Town Hall on January 5.

The new probate court is comprised of  the towns of  Bloomfield, Windsor Locks, East Granby and Suffield. The towns' are currently made up of three courts with East Granby and Suffield consolidating several years ago.

Judge Steven Zelman, the current Bloomfield judge was elected on November 2 to preside over the new district for a four-year term starting January 5. The state legislature last year reduced the number of probate courts from 117 to 50.

"I am grateful to all of the judges and town leaders who worked together to choose new district names that reflected the communities these courts will serve," Probate Court Administrator Paul J. Kneirim said.

Zelman said he is looking forward to serving the four towns.

"I hope to provide the same high level of user friendly service and judicial impartiality deserving of our residents while implementing the costs saving restructuring of our 300 year old system," Zelman said in a statement.

The towns are starting the physically consolidating the existing three courts into one which will be housed in the Windsor Locks Town Hall, 50 Church St.  Windsor Locks officials have agreed to provide the new renovated facility without expense to the other towns except for ongoing annual costs.  Bloomfield will be moving into the new facility on December 28 with East Granby and Suffield moving sometime after January 1.

Zelman said he hopes to arrange for periodic office hours at the current court locations in the existing town halls to accommodate those residents not able to travel to Windsor Locks.

Zelman will be sworn in on January 5 in the new court facility in Windsor Locks followed by an open house.

Laurie Roberts has been appointed the court's chief clerk. Roberts has been the Clerk of the Windsor Locks Probate Court for the past 20 years. As chief clerk Roberts will be responsible for overseeing a staff of three and the general administrative functions of the court.