Belinky appointed to probate court post
YOUNGSTOWN — Gov. Ted Strickland has chosen longtime probate lawyer Mark A. Belinky of Boardman to fill the unexpired term of Mahoning County Probate Court judge Timothy P. Maloney.
Judge Maloney, who has served as probate court judge for 10 1/2 years, announced his retirement in June.
Belinky, 55, of Boardman, has 29 years of experience a probate lawyer and has practiced law for 30 years overall. Belinky says his experience with the court allows him to know the “ins and outs” of the job, and his service as an advocate for clients over that time gives him the needed compassion.
“If people have a need, I help them out,” he said. “I don’t worry so much about the fees.”
Probate court is not like most other courts, where an adversarial relationship is expected, Belinky said. In probate court, cases focus on issues such as settling the estate of someone who has recently died, for instance, or establishing a guardianship for a child who is handicapped or mentally ill.
“I think you need compassion,” he said, adding that this is probably his greatest asset.
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator or www.vindy.com.