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I've seen that assertion [Greer is a county probate judge] here at FR and doubt it strongly.

Yeah. He actually does probate for two counties.

The Sixth Judicial Circuit Information <-- Link

An Overview of the Sixth Judicial Circuit
As Florida's third largest trial court, the Sixth Judicial Circuit is recognized as one of the most efficient trial courts in the nation. The circuit is also recognized nationally for its automation leadership in support of court operations.
Fifty-five judges hear cases in the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Thirty-nine circuit judges and sixteen county judges are assigned to this circuit. The Sixth Judicial Circuit is comprised of Pasco and Pinellas Counties and is located on the Central West Coast of Florida.
Of the two counties, Pasco is geographically larger but smaller in population. In 1998 Pasco County had a resident population of 315,785. There are nine circuit judges, three county court judges, in two judicial facilities in this county.
Pinellas County's population far exceeds Pasco's population with a resident population of 893,468 in 1998. Pinellas County Courts consist of thirty circuit court judges, thirteen county court judges, and five court facilities.
...
Divisions Under the Circuit Court:
The Circuit Civil Division is a court of general jurisdiction for all civil matters that arise out of an issue amounting to $15,000 or more. In calendar year 1998 a total of 10,428 cases were filed in the Sixth Circuit.
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The Probate and Guardianship Division handles all cases related to estates, trusts, guardianships, and mental health. These include cases in the mental health area such as Involuntary Commitment, Development Disabilities, Drug or Alcohol Abuse and Elder Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation. In calendar year 1998, 10,198 cases were filed in the circuit.

Judicial Practice Preferences <-- Courtroom preferences for the Honorable George W. Greer

Interesting information. Calling him a probate judge is picking only one of his juridictional duties, completely unrelated to the Schiavo case, as a label. His duties clearly include guardianship matters which are central to this case.

I don't know how they assign cases in Florida, but he was certainly among the pool of those who would hear this case. The fact that he hears probate matters is a deliberate red herring.

I wish both sides in this case would quit the deliberate spinning. The issues deserve to be understood without the misrepresentations that abound.