JOB SUMMARY
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Under direction of the Trial Court Administrator or higher classified employee within the Trial Court, serves as Register of the Probate Court as defined by Michigan Statute and Court Rules. Performs a number of duties that require an understanding of accounting principles, familiarity with certain state and federal statutes and court rules, and departmental operations. Presides over formal hearings as permitted by court rule, including being a member of an after-hours emergency rotation.
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EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
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Essential Duties:
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Provides recommendations to the Judge on pending cases, including legal research, memoranda and draft orders. Conducts informal mediation in contested cases. Offers consultation and legal advice to Probate Court staff, as well as technical assistance to guardians ad litem, attorneys, fiduciaries and the general public.
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Presides over uncontested probate, adoption and deficiency proceedings.
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Meets with parties and/or counsel to review accounting and financial documents. Makes determinations about whether to set, cancel or adjourn deficiency hearings.
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Prepares handbooks for guardians, guardians ad litem and conservators. Drafts instructional pamphlets for court users.
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Participates in continuing legal education seminars for attorneys. Participates in and conducts training for guardians ad litem.
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Collaborates with necessary stakeholders to improve court operations.
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Represents the Court as a participant on committees or as a presenter at meetings, seminars and conferences.
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Researches and assembles information from a variety of sources for the completion of forms or the preparation of reports. May make arithmetic or statistical calculations.
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Responds to inquiries from attorneys, agencies, and the public, requiring knowledge of department activities and the application of statutes, rules, forms and policies.
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Monitors proposed changes in statute, court forms and court rules affecting the Probate Court, and adoption law and provides information, opinion and status to Judge and staff.
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Performs quasi-judicial functions as Register of Probate including such elements as signing documents, conducting fiduciary conferences, admitting wills and other documents to probate, appointing or removing personal representatives, and appointing conservators of minors, appears before a judge as necessary.
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Takes testimony required by law or court rules in such matters as listed above, the admission of estates and the sale, mortgage, or lease of property, and adoptions.
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Collaborate with stakeholders to monitor and coordinate case processing activities to ensure the most effective and efficient handling of cases.
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Review accounts and reports and related documents to ensure they are properly prepared and that each file is complete.
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Responsible for creating and implementing fiduciary training.
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Supervise guardianship and adoption staff.
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The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.
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EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS
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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and policies, related to the Probate Court and other internal/external and systems as needed.
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Ability to make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and established policies and procedures.
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Ability to perform standardized calculations accurately.
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Knowledge of principles and practices of fiscal, statistical, and administrative research and report preparation. Proficient in current English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Participate in researching, compiling, analyzing and interpreting data.
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Knowledge and implementation of office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and related software applications that utilize word processing, spreadsheets, presentation/report formats and materials, and databases.
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Ability to organize work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on work with minimal supervision.
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Must be able to maintain confidentiality regarding personnel, judicial and Trial Court matters. Exercise good judgment and confidentiality in maintaining vital and sensitive information, records, and reports.
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Serve as liaison/representative with required departmental stakeholders, entities, and services to ensure that office roles and responsibilities are in compliance with federal and state requirements.
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Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work, including staff or the public, as well as serving as a resource to them and the community at large.
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LICENSES AND CERTIFICATION
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Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan
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Specified positions may require possession of a valid Michigan driver¿s license.
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PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a personal computer and hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.
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These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
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EDUCATION
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Possession of a Juris Doctorate and a member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan.
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EXPERIENCE
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A minimum of three (3) years of experience in probate and/or adoption law
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This class description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-
related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.
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FILING DEADLINE: 8/6/24
CONTROL NUMBER: 2407-2820-3251-0001
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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