---
title: "Melinda M. Stembridge | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/melinda-m-stembridge-ga-probate-58af0211ce9168f520c4d70a"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-25"
---

# Melinda M. Stembridge

Ben Hill County Probate Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Ben Hill County Probate Court
- State: Georgia
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### electronic devices and recording

Scope: statewide

Georgia's class-specific Uniform Court Rules govern electronic devices and recording in state trial courts. Before using recording, photography, livestreaming, or similar courtroom technology, confirm the governing rule and the assigned court's procedure.

Evidence excerpt: Uniform Superior, Juvenile, Magistrate, Municipal and Probate Court Rules

[Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af0211ce9168f520c4d70a/)
- [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af0211ce9168f520c4d70a/)
- [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules)
- [Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af0211ce9168f520c4d70a/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Probate Judge for Ben Hill County, Georgia, serving since 2006 and currently running for re‐election in the 2024 Georgia statewide elections
- Stembridge has been an Associate Probate Judge at the Ben Hill County Probate Court since June 2006, making over two decades of service in the role
- In the 2024 Georgia statewide elections, Melinda M. Stembridge is a candidate for Ben Hill County Probate Judge

### Education


### Additional information

- Running without opposition and aims to bring her extensive judicial experience to the role.
- Based in Fitzgerald, Georgia
- Melinda Marsh Stembridge is the Probate Judge for Ben Hill County, a position that oversees a wide range of legal matters for county residents.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Georgia Probate Court Rule 11 — virtual proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-fd6e1558b530329a117d6f9d) — Georgia Probate Courts only. Virtual proceedings; consent, exceptions and judicial orders control. Dated 2023 source, later amendments not exhaustively certified. [Official source](https://www.gasupreme.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Rule-11-Order_approved.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.