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My name is Crystal Johnson.  I am the most experienced candidate for Lancaster County's Probate Judge.  With thirty-two years of knowledge, hands-on experience in all proceedings of the probate court, and continuing legal education, I am the most qualified candidate to serve as Lancaster County's Probate Judge.  I have 25 years with the Lancaster County Probate Court, with 15 as the first Associate Probate Judge.  I have worked firsthand with the families of Lancaster County during some of their most vulnerable times.  I am seeking the opportunity to put my experience and compassion into service as your next Probate Judge.  See below for a list of my qualifications.  I am very proud of my track record and looking forward to putting my experience to work for you! 

EXPERIENCE COUNTS!

While my opponent’s expertise in the Probate Court setting is limited – she was appointed Probate Judge in January of this year after serving merely 4 months as Associate Probate Judge, and so has presided over only a small number of hearings – below is a list of my qualifications and accomplishments:

Lancaster County Probate Court 

January 1990 Legal Clerk I

                       Legal Clerk II

                       Legal Clerk III

August 2000—appointed Associate Probate Judge and served for 15 years

15-year member of the SC Association of Probate Judges, and served on various committees including the Uniform Probate Code Committee, Mental Health Committee, Technology Committee, Time and Place Committee, and the Resolutions Committee

Initiated the scheduling of appointments vs. walk-ins, Created Estate Materials, Guardianship/Conservatorship Procedures, and the Probate Court Staff Manual

Estates—opening and closing approximately 5,000 cases in 25 years

Guardianships & Conservatorships for Adults, Conservatorships for Minors - Monthly mailing of Annual Reports of Guardian and Annual Accountings for all open

Guardianships and Conservatorships, closing minor conservatorships when minor attains the age of majority, coordinating the closing of adult conservatorships at death and determining if an estate needs to be opened

Minor Settlements

Wrongful Death and Survival Action Settlements

Mental Illness/Chemical Dependency

Marriage Applications

Marriage Ceremonies

Trained new employees

Presided over hearings for mental illness, chemical dependency, minor settlements, guardianships and conservatorships for alleged incapacitated adults

Law Firms

Drafted Wills, POA’s, Healthcare Power of Attorney, Living Wills, and Deeds of Distribution

Drafted Petitions and Orders for Minor Settlements, Minor Settlements with Structured Settlements, Survival Action Settlements, Wrongful Death and Survival Action Settlements, Private Family Agreements, Missing and Unknown Heirs, Disposition of Unclaimed Property, Determination of Heirs, Paternity issues, and DNA testing

A VOTE FOR ME IS A VOTE FOR EXPERIENCE!