BETHEL - Newly elected Probate Judge Dan O'Grady is available to address civic and other groups on various probate matters at no charge as a public service.

Topics for discussion could include:

*Connecticut Estate Taxes

*Conservatorshipst

*Guardianships of Adults with Intellectual Disability

*Probate & Connecticut Unclaimed Property

*Living Trusts: Myths versus Reality

*Real Estate and Probate

*Administration of Decedent's Estates in Connecticut

*Legal Incapacity, Conservatorships & the Probate Court

Other topics are also available upon request.

Judge O'Grady has also developed Practical Probate, a seminar series covering a wide variety of topics. The series is designed for nonattorneys.

In 20 years on the bench, Judge O'Grady said he has seen how confusion and misunderstanding of probate issues can adversely affect families and individuals who come to the Probate Court.

Using a simple, informal approach, Judge O'Grady discusses topics that are of interest to many, such as living trusts, incapacity, real estate and probate, wills, guardianships, and Connecticut unclaimed property, to name just a few.

During these presentations, Judge O'Grady answers questions from the audience.

The objective of Practical Probate is to provide the public with information that will help them better understand their own situations, and whether they may benefit from planning.

It is also designed to provide unbiased facts to minimize chances that attendees may be taken advantage of by unscrupulous purveyors of expensive products and services that often do not deliver on promises made. Frequently, opportunists capitalize on fear of the probate process for their own monetary gain at the expense of seniors, families, and individuals.

Judge O'Grady is available to provide these seminars at no cost.

Anyone interested in having Judge O'Grady address their group, or hosting the Practical Probate series is asked to contact the chief clerk at the 45th Probate Regional District court at 203-794-8508.