Proven Experience.
Promises Kept.
When I first took office, I made clear promises to the people of Montgomery County:
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1) Expand access to justice
2) Confront the mental health crisis with real solutions
3) Modernize the Probate Court through technology and efficiency.
Today, those promises are not only kept—they are producing measurable results for families, law enforcement, hospitals, and our most vulnerable residents.
Create a legal help center at the Court that can offer free legal advice from a probate lawyer.
Expanding Access to Justice
Judge Brannon and Public Defender’s Office created the Probate Resource Center (“PRC”) where individuals receive one-on-one direction from an attorney to help them with certain probate filings. The PRC assists in advising clients in approximately 400–500 cases every year. They also field phone calls and may advise on some non-probate matters.
Judge Brannon secured funding for expansion in June of 2026 including two offices, classroom style space, public kiosks, more partnerships with legal services organizations, and upgraded
technology.
The Probate Court won the Ohio State Bar Association’s Innovative Court Practices &
Programs Award for the PRC in 2023.
Collaborate with law enforcement, hospitals, jails, and treatment providers to address the mental health crisis and oversee outpatient treatment for individuals with serious mental illness.
Confront the Mental Health Crisis with Real Solutions
Judge Brannon experienced an increase in emergency mental health filings (Pink Slips) from 400 to 800 per year since taking office, reflecting expanded service and responsiveness by the Probate Court. Further, the Court now accepts criminal court referrals for outpatient treatment and monitoring.
Judge Brannon also implemented an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (“AOT”) program, which is a dedicated court session for individuals with serious mental illness monitored outpatient in the community. The goal is to have approximately 100 participants by the end of 2026.
Judge Brannon established and chairs the Montgomery County Mental Health Innovation & Collaboration Team, bringing together courts, law enforcement, county agencies,
and community partners from around the region, improving our responsiveness to the mental health crisis.
Use technology to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve case flow.
Modernizing the Court Through Technology
Judge Brannon’s policy to increase technology by holding most pretrial, status, and scheduling conferences teleconference, saving time and travel for families and attorneys.
Further, many hearings may be held remotely using the court’s new audio video system.
Judge Brannon’s Court collaborated with the Clerk of Courts, Domestic Relations, General Division, and Prosecutor to launch a countywide e-filing and case management system projected to save the Probate Court alone over $100,000 per year, increase efficiency in case filings, and automate processes with better results. The new system is set to go live by the end of 2026.