AUBURN – Tom Winsor of Norway has been appointed Androscoggin register of probate pro tempore, replacing Leonard Bartel, who was elected to serve as register last November but resigned soon afterward.

In apologizing for his unexpected resignation, Bartel explained that he had been offered a full-time job “which will prevent me from fulfilling my duties as register of probate.”

According to Probate Judge Robert Couturier, the absence of a register since Jan. 1 has “resulted in an additional workload on the deputy register and the clerk of the court.”

“My responsibility,” Couturier said, “is to assure the proper functioning of the court with the funding provided by the county.” Under Maine law, he is required to appoint someone to the vacancy as register pro tempore.

“I realize Mr. Winsor lives in Oxford County,” Couturier said, but “this is a temporary position and I have not found any other suitable person interested in this part-time position” who holds Winsor’s knowledge, experience and expertise in the specialized field of probate. Winsor formerly served as register in Oxford County.

The office of probate reviews and maintains copies of wills, handles adoption paperwork and administers passports. In announcing the appointment, Couturier said “there is a long learning curve for anyone who is not familiar with probate,” including probate law, rules, forms and procedures, and Winsor brings that skill set to work immediately.

“His knowledge of the probate court’s Internet site and online development make him the ideal person to fill this position on a temporary basis at this time,” Couturier said.

– Judith Meyer