Matters on Our Docket, Accomplishments in Nine Years

Matters on Our Docket

Hi, I am the Probate Judge for the Westport-Weston District. I want to share the kinds of cases we hear. These fact patterns are not actual cases.

A. A young man has intellectual disabilities. His parents have been divorced for many years, and his father retained sole custody. Now that he is 18, the father wishes to be appointed sole guardian. However, the mother objects, wishing to be co-guardian. The court will decide who should be guardian(s), looking to the best interests of the minor.

B. A 27-year old woman has been admitted to the local psychiatric hospital because of behaviors which include walking barefoot outside in the cold, not bathing for weeks, and talking and laughing to herself. She demands to be released. The court will hear her petition within 72 hours of receiving it, and decide if there is probable cause to believe she is gravely disabled or dangerous to herself or others. The hearing is held at the hospital.

C. A mother’s body was found three days after she died. There was no will. A son and daughter are the only heirs and they are entitled to divide all the property. However, the son says the daughter stole all the silver and fine china from the house. When questioned by the court, the son admits he hadn’t seen his mother in 35 years. Nonetheless, he insists the property was there and wants to be compensated. The court will decide.

D. A family wishes to take in a Ukrainian refugee, who is a minor. The court will determine whether the local family can act as temporary guardians for the minor, while the parents remain in Ukraine.

E. A young man has overdosed on drugs and has not awoken. His parents petition the court to become his conservators, because he can no longer care for himself.

F. Three brothers have been fighting over an estate, which created a trust for their benefit. Even though the father created the trust, the brothers want to terminate it, and distribute the money now so they can stop fighting. The court will decide this based upon the relatively new CT Uniform Trust Code.

What Has Judge Lisa Wexler Accomplished in Nine Years? ‌

• Changed the way real estate sales were monitored in our Court.
• Kept Court open full-time during the entirety of Covid. Judge Wexler attended Court five days per week. In-person hearings were resumed promptly after the crisis passed.
• Reduced legal fees of lawyers representing estates.
• Accommodated requests to hear matters at the home of persons who cannot come to Court.
• Appointed non-lawyers to fiduciary positions.
• Hired a superb clerk staff, including two attorneys.
• Initiated the availability of CDs of Court hearings.
• Opened the Court on Tuesday nights for free lectures.
• Advocated at the State Capitol on many issues affecting vulnerable persons.
• Brought therapy dogs to Court.
• Created a free, quarterly probate law newsletter.
• Became a successful mediator of disputes within the Probate Court system.