Paul J. Knierim

Attorney Paul J. Knierim practices in the areas of estate planning, probate, estate and trust administration, and resolution of probate disputes. Paul, a retired probate judge, brings unparalleled problem-solving strategies to bear on even the most complex of issues. He also serves as a mediator to help families to resolve disputes outside of court.

Paul's experience includes more than two decades of service in the judiciary. He served for 12 years as judge of the Simsbury Probate Court. In 2008, the Chief Justice appointed Paul to lead the state’s Probate Courts as Probate Court Administrator, a role he served until 2019.

Paul’s experience as a lawyer and judge is enormously valuable to his clients, but he adds even more value with his ability to bring a sense of calm to tense situations and his skill in facilitating creative solutions. A problem solver with deep knowledge of probate law and keen insight into family dynamics, Paul provides objective and practical guidance to help families resolve their conflicts quickly, cost effectively, and with as little drama as possible.

During his 11 years as head of the Probate Court system, Paul was responsible for policy leadership and operation of all 54 of the state’s Probate Courts. Among his many accomplishments, he

• Resolved decades-long debate over court reform by building consensus among judges, executive branch officials, legislators, and municipal leaders
• Enacted stronger judicial ethics codes, expanded continuing education for judges and court staff, won passage of legislation to modernize probate law and overhauled the rules of procedure that govern probate cases
• Established better support and oversight for conservators through free online training, legally binding standards of practice and random audits
• Launched numerous initiatives to strengthen the professionalism of the Probate Courts, streamline court procedures and improve the customer experience
Prior to his role as Probate Court Administrator:
• He served as Simsbury probate judge for 12 years
• He practiced law in the areas of estate planning, probate, and family business at two Greater Hartford firms
• He served 3 terms as State Representative in the General Assembly, where he was assistant minority leader and ranking member of the Education Committee