FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 21, 2025
Probate Judge Carolanne Rowe Appointed as Administrative Judge for Northeast Regional Children’s Probate Court

(WEST HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Probate Court Administrator Beverly K. Streit has appointed the Honorable Carolanne Rowe, Probate Judge of the Plainfield-Killingly Regional Probate Court, as Administrative Judge for the Northeast Regional Children’s Probate Court (NERCPC). Judge Rowe began the position July 1 and will serve as both Plainfield-Killingly Regional Probate Judge and Administrative Judge for the Children’s Court simultaneously. She is taking over for retired Windham-Colchester Probate and Administrative Judge John J. McGrath, Jr., whose term serving the NERCPC ended June 30.

Judge Rowe said she is deeply honored to have been selected as the Administrative Judge of the Northeast Regional Children’s Probate Court. “This role is both a tremendous responsibility and an opportunity to positively serve the lives of children and families in our community,” she said. “I am inspired by the judges who held this position before me, whose tireless dedication and integrity have shaped our Court into a place of compassion and fairness,” Judge Rowe said. “Building on their enduring legacy, I am committed to ensuring justice and prioritizing the best interests of every child.” She also thanked her outstanding staff who “are the true heart of this Court and whose dedication, commitment, and professionalism are essential.”

The first in her family to attend college, Judge Rowe attained degrees from Charter Oak State College and Salve Regina University as well as Walden University and Columbia Southern University. She completed her Juris Doctorate from the University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth in 2005 and is currently pursuing her Ph.D in Law and Public Policy as well as her doctorate in health administration.  She is admitted to practice law in Connecticut; the U.S. District Court; the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. She worked for over six years in the Danielson Superior Court, then entered to private practice. 

Judge Rowe has served as Probate Judge for the Plainfield-Killingly Probate Court since 2019. In 2020, the Connecticut Law Tribune named her as “Best Officiator.” She has served on the Women’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and as adjunct faculty at Quinnebaug Valley Community College. She has two adult children and is a proud Gold Star Mom. She grew up on the south shore of Long Island in New York. 

The NERCPC is located at 387A Tuckie Road in North Windham. The court is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It serves the towns of Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Colchester, Coventry, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Lebanon, Mansfield, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Sterling, Thompson, Tolland, Willington, Windham and Woodstock.

Like Connecticut’s five other regional Children’s Probate Courts in East Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, New London, and Waterbury, the NERCPC handles adoptions, guardianships, and parental custody applications, among other child-related matters. Regional Children’s Probate Court staff work closely with the State Department of Children and Families and other child protection professionals to develop the best care plan for the child, as well as to provide family support and monitoring.