---
title: "William C. Rivera | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-c-rivera-ct"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# William C. Rivera

Berlin Probate Court · Probate Judge

## Profile

- Court: Berlin Probate Court
- State: Connecticut
- Role: Probate Judge
- Service status: active

## Summary

William C. Rivera — Berlin Probate Court

## Sources

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

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## Biography

### Professional career


### Education


### Additional information

- Sworn in as Judge of Probate for Berlin and New Britain on January 3, 2023, beginning a four-year term after winning the November 2022 election.
- William C. Rivera, also known as Bill Rivera, has been a practicing attorney in New Britain, Connecticut, for over 30 years and previously held the role of the majority leader of the New Britain Common Council in the 1990s.
- Rivera succeeded Republican Mike Carrier, who had filled the remainder of Walter Clebowicz’s term following Clebowicz’s mandatory retirement.
- Probating wills and administering estates
- Interpreting the meaning of wills and trusts
- Determining title to real and personal property
- Overseeing testamentary and living trusts
- Also responsible for managing court operations while retaining the ability to maintain his own law practice.
- Rivera has expressed interest in educational outreach, planning informational sessions for high school students and residents to explain the functions of the Probate Court.
- Rivera’s swearing-in ceremony was attended by local officials, including State Representatives Bobby Sanchez and Manny Sanchez, CCSU President Zulma Toro, and Democratic Registrar of Voters Lucian Pawlak, reflecting his strong community ties.
- His election represents a milestone for diversity in Connecticut’s judicial system, highlighting his role as a trailblazer for Hispanic representation in the state judiciary.



## 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.