By HEATHER RUPPE
Colleton County Probate Judge Ashley H. Amundson, who has served in the role since 2011, will not seek re-election this year. Amundson made the announcement via press release on Monday, Jan. 24th.
“It has been my great honor and privilege to serve Colleton County for three terms as Probate Judge,” she said, in the press release. “I have been fortunate to have a job that often feels like a ministry, in which I have had the opportunity to help people in what is often their darkest time.
“I especially want to acknowledge and thank my staff, who are exceptional at providing caring and compassionate service to our community.”
Before her election to the bench, Amundson worked in private practice and also worked as an Assistant City Attorney in Charlotte, NC.
During her tenure as Probate Judge, Amundson served as President of the South Carolina Association of Probate Judges and gave numerous presentations to lawyers and judges around the state about different aspects of the probate process. The Walterboro native also helped to re-draft portions of the state law concerning guardianships and conservatorships, and in creating more than 50 court forms used in probate courts throughout the state.
In addition to currently serving as Probate Judge, Amundson is also a volunteer judge for the Colleton Multi-Disciplinary Court, which helps those who have been charged with non-violent crimes due to drug dependency or mental illness to complete an intensive program to avoid jail time. This is a program sponsored by the Fourteenth Circuit Solicitors’ Office.
“I am proud of the advancements the Probate Court has made over the last eleven years in our service to the public, including implementation of weekly classes to help educate those starting the probate process. While I have loved being Probate Judge, I feel that it is the right time for me take the next step in my career,” she said. “I am excited to see what my next chapter holds, and I look forward to helping whomever is elected to serve as the next Probate Judge with a smooth transition to this office.”
Amundson said she decided to announce her decision to not seek re-election ahead of the upcoming March filing deadline, so that more potential candidates for this role would have “time to consider running and prepare to do so effectively,” she said.
