On Monday, October 7, 2024, the Press Herald reported that the Hancock County probate court has arranged for temporary judicial assistance following the suspension of its sole judge, William Blaisdell. The suspension, imposed by the Maine Supreme Court for a period of four months, stems from allegations of misconduct, including failure to pay taxes and withholding child support.
Registrar Juliette Wilbur indicated that she does not foresee any disruptions in court operations. She had proactively contacted the Maine Associations of Registrars of Probate earlier this year, anticipating potential judicial changes as a review committee began recommending disciplinary actions against Blaisdell.
In the wake of the suspension announced on September 17, probate judges from other counties will oversee weekly hearings in Hancock County. The court will continue to process all administrative claims that do not require a judge’s ruling, ensuring that cases proceed without delay.
Blaisdell, who has served as Hancock County’s elected probate judge since 2015, faced disciplinary action after it was revealed he had not paid his taxes for at least three years and had been withholding child support payments from his ex-wife. His misconduct was reported to the Supreme Judicial Court by a Belfast district judge last September. To underscore the seriousness of his actions, the court ordered him to forfeit $10,000 from his salary, equivalent to four months’ pay. Furthermore, Blaisdell faces an additional eight-month suspension if he engages in any further misconduct.
Although he remains in his position, Blaisdell is scheduled to return to work on January 21, 2025, after his suspension concludes. His current term as probate judge extends until 2026. Blaisdell did not respond to requests for comment regarding the suspension, and he continues to practice law under supervision following sanctions from the Maine bar in August.
Probate judges in Maine are elected for four-year terms and typically serve part-time. They handle various family-related legal matters, including adoptions, guardianships, and estate issues. In Hancock County, court hearings are held weekly on Tuesdays, and Wilbur expressed confidence that other judges would smoothly cover the court’s caseload during Blaisdell’s absence.
Catherine Moore, registrar of probate in Lincoln County, noted that the utilization of “interchange” judges is uncommon, typically reserved for instances when a judge is unavailable due to illness or other reasons. She emphasized the rarity of such situations and the fortunate availability of other judges to assist.
The discipline of a probate judge in Maine is an unusual occurrence. Data from 2016 to 2022 reveals that the Judicial Conduct Committee submitted only eight complaints against six judges to the Supreme Judicial Court. Among those sanctioned was former York County Probate Judge Robert Nadeau, who received a 30-day suspension in 2016 for violations of the Maine Judicial Code.
The recent actions taken against Blaisdell represent a more aggressive approach from the Judicial Conduct Committee, which has called for the Supreme Court to take significant measures against him. The high court ultimately decided against attempting to remove Blaisdell, citing concerns about the risks involved. They suggested that if the state legislature did not act on the matter, it could be perceived as a failure to fulfill their obligation to discipline judges appropriately.
Registrar Wilbur confirmed that there are currently no undecided cases pending from before Blaisdell’s suspension. Should any issues arise, they will be prioritized in the court’s schedule.
In light of the allegations against Blaisdell, some individuals have expressed concern about the management of their cases. Michelle Gibson, for example, raised questions about Blaisdell’s oversight of her father’s estate, stating she was unaware of his misconduct during the proceedings. She described feeling rushed and dismissed during her case, which involved navigating complicated family dynamics and legal processes.
The court’s future operations will rely on the support of other judges in the region, with Wilbur optimistic about maintaining public confidence during this transition. The Hancock County probate court is on track to handle approximately 500 new cases this year, including those that can be resolved without the need for judicial intervention.
Source: Press Herald
