Curious workplace dynamics

Two coworkers ask voters for the same job — register of probate

Phillip Bantz
Sentinel Staff

The two candidates for Cheshire County register of probate, who work in the same office, are duking it out during the final stretch before Tuesday’s election.

A former state representative, Anna Z. Tilton, D-Keene, took over the probate office in 2006 when the Democrats swept the general election. She says the office was inefficient before she arrived, and vows to continue her efforts to streamline filing processes and educate the public on the ins and outs of probate court.

Challenger Susan J. Castor, R-Gilsum, has been a court assistant for the past decade and a deputy register for nearly four years. Castor says Tilton has exaggerated her accomplishments as register of probate and lacks effective communication skills and experience.

The register of probate is a full-time position that deals with adoptions, the power of attorney for the estates of living or dead parents and changes in legal names.

In addition to handling his or her own caseload, each county register is responsible for managing the caseload of the probate court by coordinating staff, scheduling court dates, setting bailiff schedules, paying bills and working as the liaison among the staff, judges and state administration.

Depending on the level of experience, the job pays $42,000 to $56,000 annually.

During her two-year stint in office, Tilton said, she chipped away at a case backlog inherited from her predecessor, Elizabeth Minkler, taught staffers how to use basic computer programs, improved the court’s Web site and got rid of numerous filing inefficiencies.

“When I took over there was a massive backlog. In some of my previous jobs many years ago, I used to deconstruct jobs,” she said. “I would go onto a job site and break it down. How do you make it better? What do you get rid of? And that’s what I did when I came to this court.”

Not true, Castor says.

“I think some of the statements that have been made about sweeping improvements in the office are overstated,” she said. “The register’s powers are very limited. All courts are under the guidance of the Administration Office of the Courts in Concord. They instruct us on the equipment and forms we use along with the number of hours we work and how we are staffed.”

Castor said Tilton did not inherit a case backlog. She said Tilton created it.

“When Betty Minkler left the court, she had approximately 40 years of experience. When the current register came in she had zero experience,” she said. “In my opinion, it hurt the office considerably. It caused a severe backlog in the way we process cases.

“I’m the qualified, experienced and reliable candidate. I am a certified paralegal. I’ve worked in this court for 10 years. I have management skills because I owned a business for 15 years. And I am reliable. My work and attendance record at the court is impeccable.”

Tilton says that her inexperience lent her a better perspective on the office and allowed her to pinpoint its faults.

“I think I’m a much better organizer of the office and, coming in fresh, I asked a lot of questions,” she said. “If somebody comes from outside they look at things much differently than if you’ve been there for a long time.”

During her tenure, Tilton said she has focused on educational outreach, visiting local groups and delivering informative talks on the probate process.

Tilton said she also made available in the waiting room at Cheshire County Superior Court literature pertaining to guardianship rights, creating wills, filing an estate and lists of important phone numbers and legal services.

“There used to be literally nothing on the tables or walls,” she said. “There is a captive audience of people waiting for court who could use that information.”

If re-elected, Tilton said she would stick with her original game plan: improving public understanding of the probate court so staffers spend less time dealing with questions and more time working.

“If I can keep some people from having to come into the court, it allows the staff to do the work that needs to be done,” she said. “If the entire baby boom generation shows up in court needing guardianship of incapacitated persons, we’ll sink under the load.”

If voters pick Castor, she said improving communication in the office and providing more support to staffers would be her priorities.

“I felt that Betty Minkler was a good teacher and I will resume those teaching duties,” she said. “The staff needs to be updated on a regular basis. I also believe the register should be at the court on a regular basis, and I will do that for the people.”

Castor said Tilton still has plenty to learn.

“The staff often had to leave their duties and train her, and she is still not completely trained. It’s a process that takes many, many years,” she said. “It’s a specialized job. If you were electing a sheriff for the county, wouldn’t you look for someone who had experience in the law?”

Both candidates said the race for register of probate has not had a negative effect on their working relationship.

“We may have small talk about the candy dish, or, you know, whatever, but we don’t discuss politics,” Tilton said. “We have to get work done.”

At a glance

Susan J. Castor

Political affiliation: Republican.

Age: 55.

Born in: Keene.

Current residence: Gilsum.

Education: Monadnock Regional High School; Keene State College, paralegal certification.

Family: Husband, Don; two sons and a daughter.

Occupation: Deputy register of probate, 2005 to present.

Offices held: None.

Anna Z. Tilton

Political affiliation: Democrat.

Age: 52.

Born in: Freeport, N.Y.

Current residence: Keene.

Education: University of New Hampshire, bachelor of science.

Family: Single; one daughter and two sons.

Occupation: Register of probate, 2007-present.

Offices held: Two terms as state representative, 2002-06; Marlborough library trustee, 1995-05, and chairman of trustees, 1998-05.