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Court will no longer be in session on Jan. 5 for Russell Kimes Jr. Once the town's probate court closes its doors, Kimes will retire. The decision to leave comes as the New Canaan and Darien probate courts merge, two of several probate courts across the state that will consolidate operations that day.
"I've enjoyed it. It's been very rewarding, and I'm happy to have served," said Kimes, 68, now counting down the days while closing out as many cases as possible before the New Year arrives.
Kimes became the town's probate judge in 2001 after working as an attorney for more than 30 years. Since then, he has handled estate cases as well as sensitive cases involving children and people who are unable to act for themselves. The job is also mobile as Kimes often visits residents' homes or hospitals to settle affairs.
Kimes said he disagreed with the decision to merge courts because judges will see increased caseloads. He also disagreed with new state rules that will cut the number of staff members in the new courts. The combined court can have only 2.7 full-time employees, he said.
"They've decided to set up regional courts and duplicate DCF (the state Department of Children and Families) and that's what they've done," Kimes said. "They think they're going to save money."
Age also factored into his decision to retire as state rules mandate that judges must leave their posts at age 70. The 1960 New Canaan High School graduate has no set retirement plans.
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