Washington County Probate Court
/
Washington County Registry of Probate
Duties
The Washington County Probate Court was established to determine the
legitimacy of Last Wills and Testaments, as well as the distribution
of estates. Over the years, the role of the county probate court
has changed to include the following legal procedures:
-
Adoptions of Minors
and Adults
-
Guardianships of
Minors and Adults
-
Conservatorships of
Minors and Adults
-
Name Changes
-
Estates
-
Trusts
Washington County Probate Court is staffed by a part-time Judge and
a full-time Register, a Deputy Register, and a Clerk/Secretary. The
Judge and Register are elected every four years. The staff is
appointed by the Register.
The Probate Judge sits without a jury presiding over all Adoptions,
Guardianships, Conservatorships, Name Changes, Trusts and estates
which require a hearing. Hearings are scheduled for two Tuesdays a
month but are also held on an as needed basis.
(See Court Calendar)
As
well as supporting all of the Court’s functions, the Registry’s
staff maintains and records the probate documents. The Register has
quasi-judiciary powers and is authorized to conduct Informal probate
proceedings. While the staff does not give legal advice and
recommends those seeking legal advice to contact an attorney (See
Washington County Attorneys), this office does sell forms for the
probate proceedings.
