---
title: "Michael M. Darby | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-m-darby-ct"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Michael M. Darby

Greater Manchester Probate Court · Probate Judge

## Profile

- Court: Greater Manchester Probate Court
- State: Connecticut
- Role: Probate Judge
- Service status: active

## Summary

Michael M. Darby — Greater Manchester Probate Court

## Sources

- [Court Locator](https://www.ctprobate.gov/court-locator)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- In a 2024 budget statement, Judge Darby emphasized the breadth of probate work beyond estate administration, including conservatorships and civil psychiatric commitments, noting the court’s role in protecting vulnerable individuals and resolving contentious family matters
- The Probate Judge for Greater Manchester Probate Court (District 13) in Hartford County, Connecticut, serving the towns of Andover, Bolton, Columbia, and Manchester

### Education

- Duke University School of Law — J.D. (1982)
- in Business, University of Hartford — B.A. (1979)

### Additional information

- Retired from private practice: 2019
- Practiced law in Manchester, CT, for 37 years, including at Phelon, Fitzgerald & Wood (1982–2013) and Darby & Darby, LLC (2013–2019)
- Elected: November 2, 2010; re‐elected November 4, 2014
- First Vice President of the Connecticut Probate Assembly



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Connecticut Probate Court Rule 66.1 — electronic participation](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-c0aec96b376d18df89851f00) — Probate Courts only. Rule 66.1 was amended July 1, 2022 and retained in the July 2026 compilation. Electronic participation is discretionary, not an entitlement. Shared baseline only, not a judge-specific preference or complete local rules inventory. Apply source exceptions, case-type limits, later amendments and case orders. [Official source](https://www.ctprobate.gov/Documents/Probate%20Court%20Rules%20of%20Procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.