Northeast Regional Children's Probate Court Has New, Larger Space

NORTH WINDHAM, CT — The Honorable John J. McGrath, Jr., Administrative Judge of the Northeast Regional Children's Probate Court, announced Wednesday that the court has moved from its two locations at 508 Pomfret St. in Putnam and at 979 Main St. in Willimantic to a single, larger space at 387A Tuckie Road in North Windham.

"With such a large geographic area that we cover, this space will be more centrally located," Judge McGrath said.

The new Northeast Regional Children’s Probate Court location is meant to offer access from Route 6, with ample parking and accessible by public transportation.

The Northeast Regional Children's Probate Court serves:

Ashford

Brooklyn

Canterbury

Chaplin

Colchester

Coventry

Eastford

Hampton

Killingly

Lebanon

Mansfield

Plainfield

Pomfret

Putnam

Scotland

Sterling

Thompson

Tolland

Willington

Windham

Woodstock

Consolidating the court’s operations into a single location will also enhance service delivery, Judge McGrath said.

"It's a real benefit to have all of our staff in one location,” he said. “We can discuss cases together and provide much better service to the public. With two family specialists and two staff members, we can offer much better coverage."

The court's transition was planned close to the Labor Day holiday to minimize disruption to services, Judge McGrath said.

Like all of Connecticut’s Probate Courts, the Northeast Regional Children’s Probate Court works with families during "times of need." The regional children's probate court brings together the probate judges from surrounding probate courts and local and state agencies to "ensure that children and their families can thrive in a secure, stable home environment."

The staff includes professionals in child development and family relations, called "family specialists," who preside over family conferences to develop "the best care plans for the child and provide support and long-term monitoring."

Judge McGrath said, "Keeping children in the care of Probate Court appointed family and friend guardians in familiar surroundings, instead of being placed into foster care, provides the best long- term outcomes for children.

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The Northeast Regional Children’s Probate Court is currently open from 8:15 am. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and Fridays from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Starting January 6, 2025, the court will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. The court can still be reached at the same phone number which is 860-928-4844. The Northeast Regional Children’s Probate Court’s new mailing address will be 387A Tuckie Road / P.O. Box 205, North Windham, CT 06256.