Ellsworth case highlight pitfalls of electing probate judges

Ellsworth case highlight pitfalls of electing probate judges

Probate judges in Maine are part-time elected officials, and, with probate matters not being considered public, they rarely get much attention. But with the messy situation with Hancock County’s probate judge William Blaisdell — who is serving a suspension and is facing arrest for not paying child support to his ex-wife — the position has come under renewed scrutiny. A bill under review in the Legislature — which was introduced about a year afte…