Attorney Al Ippolito is the Republican-endorsed candidate for District 35 Probate Judge for Branford and North Branford. His opponent on the Tuesday, Nov. 8 ballot is Chuck Tiernan, the Democratic-endorsed candidate.

The contest will determine the successor to long-serving probate judge Frank Forgione who is retiring.

“I believe that Judge Forgione has done a wonderful job and should be commended for the job that he did, and I hope to fill his shoes,” said Ippolito. “I believe on day one I can hit the ground running, because I know exactly what’s going to be called for.”

Ippolito has over 40 years’ experience representing probate clients.

“In my experience, I have seen everything that really can come before the probate court. I’ve been in all the probate courts. I’ve represented people that are trying to get on Title 19; I’ve represented people [that] needed to get tax sensitive estate plans...I’ve done conservators, I’ve represented the person; I’ve represented the family members that wanted to become the conservator.”

Ippolito graduated Harvard University in 1979 and Boston University School of Law in 1982. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1982. Since 1989, he’s practiced law with Fasano, Ippolito, Lee, and Florentine, LLC (New Haven, Branford). He resides in Branford.

Ippolito has been appointed by probate judges and attorneys as either a court-appointed executor or mediator for difficult family court cases. He said his ability to provide fair, quick, and accurate decisions, while minimizing stress, tension, and limiting disputes, all while working to keep family together, served to further his interest and intent to put his skills to work as probate judge.

“Family is important, and this is a family court,” said Ippolito. “You may have lost a parent and now the only ones that are left are the children. You don’t want those children to be divided. And that will be one of my my clear intents, to make sure that the family is together.”

Ippolito said his decades of experience with probate work have also underscored for him the need to help dispel the “fear” of probate. As probate judge, Ippolito would offer public seminars outside of the court, where he can explain the probate court system.

“The biggest issue I’ve found in those 40 years was everyone’s fear of probate. And my concern is because of that fear, a lot of people don’t do their proper planning and don’t come to the court prepared. That’s one of the things that I want to address, and the way I intend to address that is to educate,” he said. “My goal is to take that next step and to try to really educate the community.”

Ippolito said he’ll also keep an “open door” policy at court, to assist individuals with questions or seeking guidance.

“You walk in, and I’ll try to direct you in the right direction,” said Ippolito. “I will tell you the issues you should think about, so that when you are ready to come to the court, you are prepared.”

As probate judge, Ippolito said he would put his experience to work to assure a fair result for those involved, while also always working to protect the vulnerable.

“That is the role of a judge,” said Ippolito, adding, “I hope people recognize that probate judge is important. That at some point, they’ll have to face that; and you want somebody with that type of experience. I have the experience to do the job.”

Learn more about candidate Al Ippolito at ippolitoforprobate.com

Editor’s Note: This article was updated to include a previously omitted word.