MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -
For the first time in more than a decade, Montgomery County will have a new probate judge. Steven Reed says he's ready to get to work.
The probate court handles things as varied as adoptions, car tags, elections and even mental health. Reed said he's already thinking about ways to deal with the mental health challenge, as the state restructures its system.
"We're working with some of the hospital executives who deal with mental health and administrators that deal with that first hand to see what role we can play to help come up with some workable solutions," Reed said.
The election between Reed, a Democrat, and outgoing Probate Judge Reese McKinney, a Republican, was hard fought with charges traded on both sides. In contrast, Reed says, the transition is going smoothly.
"What may surprise you is the willingness for everybody to come together after the election and to make sure that this probate office, serves the people of Montgomery County very well that we're able to help out and move the community forward," he said.
Reed will inherit plans for a new east probate office on Atlanta Highway and the budget for the current fiscal year. But Reed has plans of his own.
"Priorities are certainly the operation efficiency of the probate office itself and trying to update the technology so it can be a lot easier for all the people in Montgomery County to use."
Reed will serve a six year term. He will take office on Monday.
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