by Beverly Streit-Kefalas
Democrat
Incumbent Probate Judge
As you vote on Election Day, I ask for support as your Probate Judge for the Milford-Orange Probate Court. My proven record, experience and commitment to the people I serve in both Milford and Orange can continue for all families in our communities.
I attended Milford public schools, earned an economics degree from Smith College and my law degree from UConn Law School. An attorney for over 20 years and judge of probate for 16, my legal and judicial experience is there to serve you and your family in times of need. And as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, I know it’s all about family.
Community service and volunteerism is a central part of my extra-judicial life and over the years, I have been recognized by the Housatonic Council of Girl Scouts, the Milford Chamber of Commerce and the Concerned Citizens for People with Disabilities for service to our communities. Serving as a volunteer and board member of many local organizations such as Bridges, Devon Rotary, United Way and others, I am committed to ensuring that our communities have the support services that we need when we face family loss and crisis.
The Chief Probate Judge recognized my leadership and expertise by appointing me as Administrative Judge to implement the regional children’s courts in Meriden and in New London. And I continue to preside in the original regional children’s probate court in New Haven — a nationally recognized court system for children and families.
Chosen unanimously by my fellow judges, I just completed two years as the president of the statewide probate judges assembly, the Connecticut Probate Assembly. And for many years before that, I served as an elected officer, chair and member of many of its judicial committees to effectuate positive change for our probate system across the state.
I have frequently testified in Hartford at legislative public hearings on key probate bills to ensure that changes meet the needs of the every day person. And I have served as a panelist and presenter at continuing education forums.
As probate judge, the thousands of cases I handle each year include grandparent and relative child custody matters, guardianships of intellectually disabled adults, conservatorships of the elderly and incapable, decedent estates and mental health commitment proceedings. To me, being an experienced judge means that I not only give you my full attention professionally but that I extend my commitment as a volunteer in the community. It means being accessible where and when you need me. I frequently travel to nursing homes or a hospital bedside and I have even conducted hearings in families’ living rooms.
My biggest accomplishments are the accumulations of doing my job every day 7 days a week, bringing comfort to a grieving spouse or parent, working together with families to keep services in place for a severely disabled child, protecting our most vulnerable seniors. It has been a gift and a privilege to be able to bring my compassion and experience to help families through the probate court. Being your probate judge is about standing together with families in times of sorrow and joy every day.
Mine is a proven record of recognized judicial expertise, strong commitment to our communities, with the compassion and the time to listen to each of you. You deserve nothing less.
It will be my privilege and honor to continue my service as a probate judge for the Milford-Orange Probate Court with your support by voting for me, Judge Beverly Streit-Kefalas as Probate Judge on November 4th.