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Probate Judge Magistrali Seeks Reelection
Torrington Probate Judge Michael F. Magistrali has announced his intention to seek reelection as Probate Judge for the Torrington Probate District. The Torrington Probate Court, located on the second floor of Torrington City Hall, serves the Towns of Goshen and Torrington.
Judge Magistrali was elected to the post in 1998. During his four-year term, he has earned the respect of his fellow Probate Judges, having been asked to serve on the Probate Practice Book Revision Committee and the Probate Assembly Long Range Planning Committee.
Serving on the Long Range Planning Committee has allowed Judge Magistrali to help steer the future course of the Probate system. "It's clear that there will be some significant changes to the Probate system in Connecticut in the not-too-distant future," he said. "With the phase-out of the Connecticut Succession Tax, funding for the Probate Court has shrunk and will continue to shrink. We have to find a way to continue the long-standing record of service provided by our local Probate Courts."
One possible solution being explored by the Connecticut Bar Association and the Probate Assembly, the governing body of Probate Judges, is the consolidation of existing Probate Courts into larger Probate Districts. "I firmly believe in local, elected Probate Judges serving their local residents, as they have for hundreds of years," said Judge Magistrali. "But consolidation on some level makes sense and may help save the system. The Torrington court is, in fact, a consolidated Court, serving both Torrington and Goshen. It has worked very well for quite a long time."
Since his election in 1998 Judge Magistrali has focused on providing service and education to the public. The Torrington Court is staffed by two full-time clerks, Mrs. Arleen Keegan and Mrs. Gale Pellegren, and one part-time clerk, Mrs. Kay Matarese. Mrs. Keegan came to the Torrington Probate Court after having served twelve years as Probate Judge in Litchfield. Mrs. Matarese has served as a Probate Clerk for over twelve years.
"My Court provides incredibly helpful, friendly service to the public," Magistrali said. "We are considered to be one of the most efficient Courts in the system. I have a great staff, friendly, caring, compassionate and knowledgeable."
In addition to his focus on service to the public, Judge Magistrali has sponsored several educational programs in the District. "I like to get out and speak on Probate issues as much as possible," he said. "I've held panel discussions at the Sullivan Senior Center in Torrington, participated in a panel on end-of-life issues in Goshen sponsored by Hospice, and spoken to groups such as the Holy Rosary Society at St. Peter’s Church and AARP. I also have invited public school students on field trips to see the Court and learn about the Probate process. Educating the public was a key element of my campaign in 1998, and it continues to be a priority for me now."
After four years of service, Judge Magistrali says that the satisfaction he derives from helping people more than makes up for the demands of the job. "I often bring work home, and come into the Court on weekends," Judge Magistrali said. "But there's such a tremendous feeling of satisfaction that comes from knowing that I've helped people through a difficult time that I can't imagine not doing this. I truly love this work and hope to continue as Probate Judge for the next four years."
Judge Magistrali has a long history of public service. After graduation from Boston College Law School, he served four years as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston. In 1984 he was appointed an Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where he served until his return to his hometown of Torrington in 1985. He has practiced law in the Northwest corner since 1985 and from his Mason Street office since 2000.
Judge Magistrali’s community involvement has included serving on numerous nonprofit boards of directors, including the Housatonic Center for Mental Health, now known as the Northwest Center for Family Service and Mental Health, the Torrington Historical Preservation Trust, and the United Way. He served as Chairman of the 1997 United Way General Campaign.
Judge Magistrali served on the City of Torrington Board of Ethics from 1990-99, serving as Chairman. He also served on the City of Torrington's Blue Ribbon Panel on School Facilities, and was the City of Torrington’s representative to the Northwest Mental Health Council from 1995-97. He presently serves on the Forbes School Site Council.
Judge Magistrali is also a member and past president of the Torrington Rotary Club, and is a member of Center Congregational Church, where he served as moderator from 1995-98. He resides in Torrington with his wife, Robin, and their four daughters, Amelia, 15, Alison, 13, Maura, 10, and Felice, 5.
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