Ballotpedia, Melanie Gahring Rathel (Lee County Probate Court)

FOX31, Gahring announces bid for probate judge

Trellis, Judge Melanie Gahring: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

As of May 21, 2024, Melanie Gahring Rathel did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Judge Rathel was a Deputy Clerk for the Lee County Probate Court.

Melanie Gahring Rathel is the Probate Court Judge in Lee County. She was elected in 2016 and has served two terms in this position.

2024 Georgia General Elections

2024 GA Primary Election

2024 GA Primary Election Runoff

As a Probate Court Judge, she handles traffic citations, minor drug offenses, and issues licenses.

- As a Probate Court Judge, she handles traffic citations, minor drug offenses, and issues licenses.

Legal Experience

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Implemented an automated reminder system for firearm permit renewals for county residents.

Has "streamlined all of the office functions to facilitate faster more efficient processing of information."

Updated the probate area to handle estate and probate duties in a "timely professional fashion."

Works with two clerks instead of the previous three allowing savings to the county.

Her probate team has completed vital records training and can "quickly produce birth and death certificates."

Wants to make the courts not seem like a "dreary place to be."

- Implemented an automated reminder system for firearm permit renewals for county residents.
- Has "streamlined all of the office functions to facilitate faster more efficient processing of information."
- Updated the probate area to handle estate and probate duties in a "timely professional fashion."
- Works with two clerks instead of the previous three allowing savings to the county.
- Her probate team has completed vital records training and can "quickly produce birth and death certificates."
- Wants to make the courts not seem like a "dreary place to be."

Judicial Administration

Strives to "lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it while still making sure that the laws of the court are upheld."

Said, "I will treasure the opportunity to continue to carry out the mandates of the law fairly and equally to all."

- Strives to "lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it while still making sure that the laws of the court are upheld."
- Said, "I will treasure the opportunity to continue to carry out the mandates of the law fairly and equally to all."

Ethics & Conduct

Has volunteered with Lee County Boy & Girl Scout Troops.

- Has volunteered with Lee County Boy & Girl Scout Troops.

Community Involvement

Melanie Gahring Rathel

Probate court judges are a type of judge in Georgia who decides a type of civil court cases called a "probate" case. Probate cases can be many things, like cases about people's wills, appointing guardians to children or the elderly, and managing estates. Probate court judges also sometimes decide whether to give out marriage licenses and gun licenses, and they can also decide traffic cases. 

Decides court cases for topics like wills, licenses, and traffic tickets