Regional Probate Judge Candidate Q&A: Dean G. Antipas

On June 21, 2011 primaries will be held for the democratic and republican candidates seeking to become the next Judge of Probate for the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Probate Court. Patch asked each candidate to answer a questionnaire to give residents information about his or her background. For additional election coverage visit Elections 2011.

Name:  Dean G. Antipas

Age:  49

Hometown:  Groton

Party Affiliation: Republican

Education:    

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, University of Connecticut
• Juris Doctor, Pace University School of Law             

Work Experience: I have been practicing law for the last 20 years, representing individuals and small businesses in a wide variety of matters, including wills & estates, conservatorships, guardianships for minors and those of us developmentally challenged, termination of parental rights.
 
Prior to being admitted to the bar I was a licensed professional engineer (civil), working as a project engineer and manager on numerous highway, railroad, bridge, and site design projects for an Engineering News Record 100 firm.

Political/Civic Offices: 

• Groton Town Council; Chairman
• Groton Task Force on Ethics Groton Town Council
• Groton Town Council; Contract Negotiation Liaison to Board of Education

Family: I’ve been happily married to Amy for 20 years (where does the time go?), and we have three children:  Alex (10), Theo (7), and Zoë (4).

Why are you running for this office? Experience, compassion, and dedication are required of a good probate judge.  Do I have these qualities?  Many say that I do, but as the saying goes, it ain’t as easy as it looks. I know from my 20 years of experience in resolving disputes, especially as an arbitrator, that judging can often be a tough, lonely task.  But as if this challenge weren’t compensation enough, as a probate judge I would also have the wonderful, enviable opportunity of being able to help people at times they need it most and to explain and demystify the process they face.  There is immense satisfaction in a job well done, and I would devote all my efforts to being the best probate judge I can be.

What sets you apart from the other candidates? I am the only Republican candidate pledged to close my law practice and devote my full time to being a probate judge.  The state will pay a six-figure salary for this position because this district is the 9th most populous of the 54 probate districts, and is in the top 25 percent in terms of workload.  Beyond spending the time to do the job right, it’s a question of fairness to the taxpayer.

What’s been the biggest recent success of the Connecticut Probate Court System? Historically, Connecticut’s probate court system has been seen as immune to change, but large-scale reform that went into effect on January 5 proves that the system does respond to the need for change.  An important component of the reform was financial:  it is expected that in the fiscal year starting in July, the system will save $2.8 million instead of being deep in the red.  More importantly, however, success will be measured by how well the new, larger court can better serve the people of Groton, Ledyard, North Stonington, and Stonington while still maintaining its neighborhood feel.

What’s been the biggest failure/challenge? Ask most people about probate court and you’ll often get an unflattering comparison with a root canal.  Connecticut’s probate courts have been criticized as being “the last bastion of patronage and cronyism in Connecticut” and charged with creating needless distress for families when they are most vulnerable.  This does not describe the large majority of courts in the system, but it does highlight the need to improve the court’s image, first by making sure the office is never seen as a political plum for favored party insiders, and second by electing a candidate committed to being a full-time probate judge.

What, if anything, would be different if you were elected probate judge?  Probate courts have often been called “the people’s courts” because of their accessibility.  People I spoke with as I campaigned last year were worried that the new consolidated court would be more impersonal.  I intend to keep the court as an open, neighborhood court, even if you have to drive 10 minutes farther to get there.  That means not only a friendly, effective, and helpful staff, but also a judge available on a full-time basis to handle hearings expeditiously, to consider the tough questions, and to guide and direct those in need during their most trying time.