WESTMORELAND COUNTY REGISTER OF WILLS IN COURT

The Westmoreland County Register of Wills was in court yesterday to answer charges that she and her office were in contempt of two court orders that required prompt filing of adoption records, appeals and other documents that her office is responsible for.  The Trib reports that In November 2022, a court order was issued that required all adoptions and appeals to be filed within 10 days in response to allegations the office had neglected filings in dozens of cases.  A second order in January also required her office to complete all filings in a timely manner that included a five-day requirement to complete adoption records and ordered her to produce detailed records of her office’s work.The register of wills, Sherry Margetti Hamilton, said that her office is in compliance and the backlog of work is eliminated.  She blamed those filing delays on staff shortages, disloyalty and insubordination of employees and her absences related to health issues.