Probate Court ‘always interesting’

With 20 years under his belt, Judge Steve Burkhalter says he never gets bored at work.

Probate Court is responsible for a wide range of activities, so every day is interesting, according to Floyd County Probate Judge Steve Burkhalter.

“I think when they started, if they didn’t know where to put something, they decided to put it in probate court,” Burkhalter laughed. “We do wills, we do guardianships, marriage licenses, gun licenses. If you want your cattle brand registered, we do that, too.”

Burkhalter has spent 20 years on the probate court bench and was just re-elected Tuesday to another four-year term that starts in January. He was unopposed. Kristina Wilder / RN-T

Probate Judge Steve Burkhalter said, “I think when they started, if they didn’t know where to put something, they decided to put it in probate court. We do wills, we do guardianships, marriage licenses, gun licenses. If you want your cattle brand registered, we do that, too.”

Law is a passion for Burkhalter’s family, he said, and it was a natural fit for him. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Georgia and his law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law in Atlanta.

“My son and daughter are both lawyers,” he said. “I have uncles and cousins who are lawyers and my cousin Tim is the sheriff, of course. We are a close family and that is very important.”

Burkhalter enjoys his work in probate court, he said.

“Well, for one reason, almost everybody comes through probate court at some time in their lives,” he said. “Many times, those are times of need and I feel like I am doing something positive to help them.”

He also appreciates his staff, noting that they make his job easier.

“I have a great staff, very good people,” he said.

The variety is a bonus, he said, but with two decades on the bench, there are few surprises that can throw him for a loop.

“I’m pretty now,” he said.

Burkhalter has many memorable moments on the bench, some of them quite amusing.

He tells of a drug trial in which he ended up finding the defendant guilty and imposing a fine.

“The man came up to me afterwards and said ‘well, judge, I’ll pay my fine. Can I have my dope back?’” Burkhalter said. “I told him no.”

Burkhalter has been married to his wife, Angela, for 43 years. In his personal time, he enjoys working with his barbecue cooking crew.

“We compete at Roman Roast and at Cave Spring,” he said. “I can cook some mean barbecue.”

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