Probate

Judge Glenn H. Derryberry

The following summary of the history of "Probate Courts" in Ohio is from O. Jur. 3rd, Vol. 22, "Courts and Judges", at Section 19, footnote 39:

"A probate court was created by the legislative authority of the Northwest Territory, but was abolished by the Constitution of 1802, under which a probate jurisdiction was defined and conferred exclusively upon the Common Pleas Court. The constitution adopted in 1851 required the establishment of probate courts. It provided that there should be established in each county a probate court, which would be a court of record, open at all times, and held by one or more judges as the General Assembly might determine by law, elected by the electors of the county, who should hold the office for the term of 6 years, and receive such compensation as provided by law. The 1851 provision became Art. IV Sec. 7, in the Constitution of 1912, and was repealed by the Modern Courts Amendment of 1968."

Following the 1968 and 1973 amendments to the Constitution of the State of Ohio, it is now provided (in part), that: "Unless other-wise provided by law, there shall be a probate division and such other divisions of the courts of common pleas as may be proved by law". Constitution of the State of Ohio, Article IV, Section 4 (C)

Judge Glenn H. Derryberry

The Honorable Glenn H. Derryberry was appointed to serve as the Allen County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge effective November 19, 2007, filling the judicial vacancy created by the retirement Judge David R. Kinworthy. Judge Derryberry had served as the Chief Magistrate of the Allen County Juvenile Court from 1989 until his appointment as Probate/Juvenile Court Judge.

Judge Derryberry received his bachelor's degree in Social Studies Education from Bowling Green State University in 1973 and his law degree from Ohio Northern University in 1977. From 1977-1989, Judge Derryberry worked as a private practice attorney focusing on criminal and family law in the Lima and Wapakoneta areas. He also held the positions of Assistant Attorney General for the State of Ohio from 1982-1983; Assistant Lima City Prosecutor from 1982-1984; and, Public Defender in Auglaize County from 1981-1982.

Judge Derryberry has been a member of the Allen County Bar Association since 1977, and served as President in 2006. Additionally, he has served the Bar Association on its Executive Committee, Grievance Committee and Juvenile Court Committee, and as co-chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee.

Judge Derryberry has also been a member of the Ohio State Bar Association since 1977, having served in various capacities in that organization. He currently serves as a member of the Family Law Committee, the Juvenile Justice Committee and as the District 16 Representative to the Council of Delegates. He served as Chair of the Ohio State Bar Association Family Law Committee from 1990-1992. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, The Ohio Judicial Conference, the Ohio Association of Probate Judges, the Ohio Association of Juvenile Judges and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

Judge Derryberry is involved in various community organizations. He is a member of the Lima Noon Optimist Club and a life member of Optimist International. He served as Administrative Board Chair at the Shawnee United Methodist Church from 1994 to 2007, and was a Lay Delegate to the West Ohio Annual Conference from 2002 to 2006.

While serving the Court as Chief Magistrate, Judge Derryberry played a key role in the establishment of the Allen County Juvenile Treatment Court for drug-involved juvenile offenders and cites his 18 years of experience as Chief Magistrate in the Allen County Juvenile Court as great preparation for service as Judge. He plans to build on and expand the many programs and services already offered by the Court to children and families.