Cobb probate judge rivals ‘in touch,’ ‘concerned’

Cobb County Probate Court will have a new judge next year for the first time since 1984.

The candidates for the post, Kelli Wolk and Carletta Sims, are campaigning on their extensive legal knowledge and ability to handle complicated issues brought before the court.

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Carletta Sims.

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Kelli Wolk.

KELLI WOLK, REPUBLICAN
• kelliwolkforprobatejudge.com
• Law school: Georgia State University School of Law
• Firm:
Moore, Ingram, Johnson & Steele, Marietta
• Total campaign money raised:
$72,008.26 as of Sept. 30 reporting period

CARLETTA SIMS, DEMOCRAT
• electcarlettaesims.com
• Law school: Marquette University
• Firm: Staff attorney, Georgia Public Defender's Standards Council; estate planning and probate attorney in private practice
• Total campaign money raised: $24,918.01 as of Sept. 30 reporting period

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The Probate Court has jurisdiction over matters that include commitments of the mentally ill or substance abusers, appointment or removal of executors of estates, guardianship matters, wills and the issuance of gun permits and marriage licenses.

Retiring Judge David Dodd has held the post for 24 years.

Court familiar

Wolk, an attorney with the Marietta firm of Moore, Ingram, Johnson & Steele, worked for two years as clerk for Dodd.

“I’ve been doing probate law for just under 10 years,” said Wolk, who at Georgia State University College of Law studied under professor Mary Radford, who wrote the state guardianship and probate statutes.

Wolk said she would bring to the position years of experience in probate law. She said she is used to dealing with people in urgent situations and is comfortable with the system within the court.

“That will allow me to step in immediately and make good, responsible decisions,” she said.

Wolk said she and her opponent both are involved in the community. Wolk is on the boards of the Marietta Rotary Club and MUST Ministries, which assists the less fortunate in Cobb and Cherokee counties.

“I am more in touch with the probate legal community and the Cobb legal community,” Wolk said. “My years of experience in this area of the law, a network with practitioners within the areas of the law, and a familiarity with resources in the community will allow me to do a superior job of running the court.”

Depth of experience

Sims has been making an average of two to three appearances a week during her campaign for probate judge, and six on any given weekend.

“I’m constantly trying to get out there,” Sims said during a phone interview this week. “I’ll do that until that last vote is cast.”

A county resident for 16 years who has practiced law for two decades, Sims worked in the county attorney’s office and later practiced family law, dealing with child custody and guardianship issues.

Sims said she has a depth of legal experience and an awareness of the needs of juveniles and vulnerable adults in society, qualifications essential to serving as probate judge.

“My depth and commitment overall put me above the grade,” she said. “It’s simply this,” she said. “There cannot be any partisan thought or process applied to their cases. I must be concerned about preserving the quality of life, standard of care and maintaining their assets for their proper care and to pass on to their families where possible.”