[terrasol]

What strikes me as bizarre is that the probate "judge" in the case never even went to law school. Not that this in itself has to be problematic. The honorific title judge probably follows a similar rationale as the one allowing auctioneers to have themselves be addressed as colonel. Our probate judges here in North Carolina are also only clerks, and they generally do a good job. As long as they stick to keeping tabs on who gets what, no brilliant insight into statutes is required. The situation becomes weird when accountants start messing with life-and-death decisions. It seems that more strictures are placed on seasoned trial judges in capital cases than on county probate judges to whom law books can hardly be more than expensive wall insulation. Next thing we'll be reading legal opinions from the maintenance department. Are we sure we're headed in the right direction?

[Cboldt]

Next thing we'll be reading legal opinions from the maintenance department.

LOL. I think some of them are already fit that description. But seriously, it takes great skill at dissembling to compose an opinion that suits the predetermined outcome.

[Xenalyte]

The honorific title judge probably follows a similar rationale as the one allowing auctioneers to have themselves be addressed as colonel.

That is almost - but not quite - as bad as lawyers calling themselves Esquire, and PhDs calling themselves Doctor.

MDs can call themselves Doctor if they must, but it's still a teeny bit tacky and immodest. It's far more charming to introduce yourself as just Hannah Rosenbaum and have people whisper, "Did you know she's a doctor? And so modest and sweet, too!"