Date: Fri 08-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Margot-Hall-probate

Full Text:

Promises In Probate

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Margot Hall loves her job as the town's probate judge so she was all smiles

after being sworn into office for a third term Tuesday afternoon.

"This is a happy moment. I like this job because I enjoy helping people and

settling their affairs," Mrs Hall said moments after being congratulated by

her husband, Bob.

The longtime Newtown resident was sworn in by Town Clerk Cindy Simon. Also

being sworn in was Peggy Gross, the probate clerk.

Mrs Hall ran unopposed for reelection. She became the town's probate judge in

1991. Prior to that she served as probate clerk for judge Merlin Fisk for 12

years. Before that, she was an assistant clerk under Ben Blanchard for a

couple years.

"I've been around," she joked.

The probate judge's office handles countless tasks from overseeing the

settlement of a deceased's estate to passports. The office once did a lot of

work with Fairfield Hills, determining whether or not a patient continued to

require involuntary care for his or her psychiatric needs.

Mrs Hall is also involved in the finalization of adoptions -- one of the more

pleasurable aspects of her job.

"You're helping to create a family unit," she noted. In contrast, the

termination of parental rights can be tough.

Mrs Hall chuckles when she recalls the little Russian boy who was brought into

the Mary Hawley Room for his final adoption hearing.

"He thought he was there for lunch. He wanted eggs and yogurt," she recalled.

A recent decision on a conservatorship by Mrs Hall has become a sort of

landmark case and is currently before the state Supreme Court. Mrs Hall became

the first judge to allow the creation of a Medicare trust fund for a

conservator. The state opposed this idea, pointing out that a trust fund could

not be legally created since the person was receiving state aid.

The state government has since passed laws that allow for these Medicare trust

funds. However, this case remains in court. The case was heard by the Supreme

Court this past fall. Mrs Hall is hoping a decision will be made by the

spring.

During her oath of office, Mrs Hall placed her hand on a sentimental heirloom

-- an 89-year-old bible. The book was given to Mr Hall's father, Raymond L.

Hall, after he was confirmed at the St Johns Episcopal Church in Bridgeport in

1910.