[2] Judges of probate are the only members of the state judicial branch elected in Connecticut.
[citation needed] Prior to 2011, state law permitted anyone to run as a candidate for judge of probate regardless of previous judicial or legal experience.
However, a state law which went into effect on January 5, 2011 now requires candidates for judge of probate to be both a lawyer and a member of the Connecticut bar.
[3][4] After operating without much change since 1850, growing financial difficulties in the state and within the probate courts created the need for the system to be overhauled.
In September 2009, the commission announced its consolidation plan to reduce the number of districts to 54 for the 2010 elections.