James Welsh, Anastasia and the Honorable Robert A. Welsh, Jr. (Ret.) at Alberto's fundraiser April 17, 2008.
What Are The Issues?
1. Who is the most qualified candidate?
Ultimately, you, the voters, are the employer and will decide who will become Register of Probate. You will be asked to look at the resumes of each of the candidates and to then decide who you will hire.
I am the only candidate with the right blend of qualifications to successfully perform the job of Register. I have served as Assistant Register of the Probate and Family Court for the past five years and I am the only candidate with experience working in the Register’s office AND private probate law practice experience. I know what it is like to be on both sides of the counter at the Probate and Family Court.
In addition to my experience working at the Court, my private law practice and volunteer work in the community has provided me with a greater understanding of the needs of victims of domestic violence, the mentally disabled, the mentally ill, the elderly, and children and families; especially those who come before the Court and who cannot afford to hire an attorney.
2. How Can the Court be improved?
My 3-point plan will improve the Register's Office for citizens, attorneys and employees – and bring the office into the 21st century.
POINT 1 – A Website
The Problem
Families come to the counter every day asking
similar questions, while the staff works diligently to provide answers and
guidance to these questions. The volume of counter and phone questions is
extraordinary and often becomes overwhelming for the hardworking staff. The
result is that time for processing the documents related to court orders takes
much longer than it should. Although the volume of counter and phone questions
is tremendous, there is a solution to this problem.
The Solution
The solution is not more staff. Before we
consider adding staff, the taxpayers deserve some long overdue efficiency. The
simple and cost-effective solution to this problem is the development of a
website for the office.
Incredibly, in this year, 2008, the Barnstable Probate and Family Court Office still does not have a website. As a result, forms get mailed from our office rather than downloaded by the users. In addition, citizens have no access to relevant information and are therefore required to call or visit the court to get the answers they need, and many of the answers are to simple and recurring questions.
By providing simple information online, users of the probate court can either reduce the length of their call or visit or even avoid it altogether. This will allow the hardworking staff to have more uninterrupted time to work on processing the documents needed to keep cases moving.
In short, by using readily available technology, the Register's Office can become more efficient while not increasing costs to the taxpayer. I will create a Barnstable County Probate and Family Court Website that will provide answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about different procedures and supply pertinent background information along with appropriate forms for downloading. Like other counties, this website can be funded through private or campaign funds rather than taxpayer funds.
POINT 2 – Replace Typewriters with Computers
The Problem
Processing court orders using a typewriter simply
takes too long.
The Solution
While freeing up staff time with a website will
help, there is more that can be done. In 2008, 40% of our orders are hand-typed
on a typewriter – not using a template. The staff uses a typewriter not
because they have to for some protocol, but simply because they always have
done so.
The typewriters will be the first to go as part of my plan. I will develop a system in which all court orders are typed on the computers that already exist at the Court.
This will allow us to process all of our court orders in a more streamlined manner, taking less time and accomplishing more with the SAME staffing levels, and the SAME computer equipment.
POINT 3 – Smart Space
The Problem
Like other counties, we are facing space
considerations in our courthouses. Over time, the county has grown, case
filings have increased significantly, and storage needs continue to grow. At
some point, we are going to have to address the long-term viability of our
Barnstable Courthouse and make some tough – and likely costly
decisions.
The Solution
The solution, in part, is collaboration,
technology and working smarter. Working with all of the leaders in the
Courthouse, I will make sure we have a strategic short-term AND long-term plan
to address space needs. I will work closely with people like Jack Meade,
Register of Deeds. Jack has implemented a number of “make-sense”
solutions- and as Register of Probate I will do my share to make sure we
maximize our space. When the time comes for expansion discussions, I will work
strategically with the other stakeholders – including the taxpayers –
to ensure we take a thoughtful, responsible approach.
It would be premature to think that the short-term solution is running to get funding for expansion or a new facility. I support maximizing our current resources and approaching the future in a strategic and responsible manner.
3. What Does the Register of Probate Do?
As I meet voters across Barnstable County, it is amazing how many people do not know what the position of the Register of Probate involves.
The Register of Probate is responsible for assisting the public and attorneys with the legal paperwork for child custody, child support, divorce, estate administration, and probate of estates, adoption, guardianship, and many other types of cases. The Register of Probate is responsible for ensuring that the legal paperwork on these cases is in proper form before the case is scheduled for a hearing before a Probate and Family Court Judge. In order to determine if the case paperwork is in proper legal form, the Register must often interpret law and legal documents. The Register also acts similar to an in-house legal counsel to the court by establishing policies and procedures and answering questions about legal practice and procedure from court staff, lawyers and Judges.
That being said, the same person has held this office for more than 30 years. Having few contested elections over time has taken the office out of the public eye. The fact that people often deal with the court during times of personal crisis may be another reason why we tend to avoid thinking about the Probate and Family Court.
Over the years, the approach to government has shifted to a greater focus on community outreach. I am committed to that outreach and I am optimistic that when I become Register, more people in the county will understand how the Probate and Family Court impacts their life. I will establish partnerships with local schools, businesses, and community organizations to provide important information about the Court, the services it provides and issues it addresses.
I will work with other public and private organizations to see what resources may be available to the Court through partnerships which can accomplish this outreach, and again, without additional cost to the taxpayer.