Tuesday,
April 9, 2002
MORE
THAN 50 WINTHROP RESIDENTS ATTEND REGISTRY PRESENTATION;
REGISTER IANNELLA ASKED ABOUT WILLS, ASSET PROTECTION AND
HOMESTEAD ACT:
With
more than 50 local residents in attendance, Suffolk County
Register of Probate Richard Iannella and other officials from
Suffolk County Probate and Family Court brought their latest
neighborhood meeting to Winthrop last night. Funded by the
Massachusetts Legislature, the Registry’s Community Outreach
Program allows court officials to bring informational
brochures, forms, documents and other resources into local
neighborhoods for the very first time.
At
the start of the program at the Winthrop Senior Center, State
Representative Robert DeLeo introduced Register Richard
Iannella to the crowd. In his remarks, Rep. DeLeo, himself a
former Assistant Register of Probate, commented that Registry
operations have never been as efficient and user-friendly as
they are currently.
Register
Iannella then told the crowd: “You’ll probably have a case
in the Probate and Family Courts at some point in your life.
Because our court oversees such a wide range of family-related
issues – from divorce, paternity and guardianships to wills,
estates and other issues following death – our decisions
directly affect many people’s lives.”
During
his presentation, Iannella assured Winthrop residents that
despite the fiscal crisis in the state’s court system, the
Registry continues to operate without interruption. He cited
the fact that although the Suffolk Registry has seen a 20%
reduction in staff over the last year, steps have been taken
to assure there would be no cutback in court sessions,
services or hours of operation.
Iannella
and Deputy Assistant Register Robert Kavin then spent time
answering specific questions from audience members. Most
questions focused on matters including the Homestead Act,
enforcement of wills, self-representation in court and
grandparents rights.
Following
the meeting, Register Iannella complimented those who
attended. “This event was a great kickoff for our 2002
community meeting schedule, and I thank everyone in Winthrop
for their intelligent questions and sincere interest in issues
affecting their lives and their families.”
The
ongoing series of community meetings continues in coming weeks
in other Suffolk County communities. For more information or
to schedule a presentation, contact the Community Outreach
Program of the Suffolk County Probate and Family Court
Registry at (617) 788-8300.
