MA S1044

Requires chief justice approval for registers of probate to appoint, manage, and remove first assistant registers and assistant registers, who serve 3-year terms across all 12 Massachusetts counties

Eliminates administrative deputy assistant register positions, though current holders continue employment at the register's pleasure with confidential/managerial status and no official judicial duties

Authorizes first justices in each county to appoint assistant judicial case managers (ranging from 1 in smaller counties to 8 in Middlesex) with chief justice approval

Establishes deputy assistant register positions across all counties with tiered additional compensation of either 10% or 5% of the county register's annual salary, depending on the position

Grandfathers current deputy assistant registers to retain their existing 15% compensation rate until they leave their positions, while new appointees receive the lower rates