Longest Serving Maine Probate Judge Retires

After serving 50 years on the bench Allan Woodcock, Jr., Penobscot County Judge of Probate, is set to retire on January 1, 2013. The 92-year-old judge said that while he did not want to retire he felt that this was the appropriate time to retire. As a Maine County Judge of Probate, he handled a number of issues, including “estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, changes of name and related matters.” The judge commented that while his job was a limited one, he knew that it was an important job. Judge Woodcock noted that he particularly enjoyed working on adoptions.

Until a replacement judge is appointed, the probate judges from other counties will fill his seat. In Maine, the Governor will appoint judges to replace retiring judges. Governor Paul LePage will select “a replacement for Woodcock from a list of recommendations made by the Penobscot County Republican Committee.”

See Judy Harrison, Longest-serving Maine Probate Judge, 92, To Step Down After 50 Years On Bench, Bangor Daily News, Dec. 12, 2012.

Special thanks to Brian Cohan (Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Brian J. Cohan, P.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.