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Allen Superior Court Probate Magistrate Phillip Houk will retire Aug. 1 after nearly 40 years of public service.
The Allen Superior Court, Civil Division is seeking candidates to fill his position. The court’s executive will accept applications for the position until 4 p.m. on March 27.
Houk is presently the longest serving active judicial officer in Allen County, according to the Allen County website. He served as a law clerk in 1986 and 1987 in the Allen Superior Court for Judge Robert Hines and in the Small Claims Division. In 1987, he was hired as a referee for both the Civil and Criminal Divisions. In 1988, he was hired as a full-time referee and probate commissioner of the Allen Superior Court Civil Division. He was appointed a magistrate in 1995.
During his tenure with the Allen Superior Court, Houk has presided over approximately 40,000 estate cases and 10,000 guardianship matters. His work has played a critical role in guiding families through probate proceedings and protecting the interests of vulnerable individuals in guardianship matters, the court said in a statement.
“Magistrate Houk’s long-standing service reflects a deep commitment to fairness, diligence, and compassion in the work of the courts,” the statement said. “Over the course of his career, he has helped tens of thousands of Allen County residents navigate complex legal proceedings during some of the most difficult times in their lives.”
“His steady leadership, deep knowledge of probate law, and thoughtful consideration for the families who have come before him have left a lasting impact on our court and community,” Allen Superior Court Civil Division Administrative Judge Jennifer DeGroote said in a written statement.
Houk received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Indiana University. He is a 1986 graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law.
Magistrate applications open
In Indiana, magistrate judges are appointed to county courts by the respective county’s judges. They work in tandem with elected judges.
The probate magistrate presides in the Allen Superior Court in civil probate matters under the direction and supervision of the Allen Superior Court, Civil Division judges.
The court is seeking candidates who have experience in all areas of civil practice with some probate experience preferred. The court will accept applications until March 27.
The court will conduct interviews shortly after the date for submitting applications closes and anticipates conducting interviews and making a hiring decision promptly. The position has an anticipated start date of Aug. 3.
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