Hancock County’s probate judge has a warrant out for his arrest after he failed to show up for court yesterday for another contempt hearing over unpaid child support payments to his ex-wife.
After William B. Blaisdell IV failed to appear at his March 12 hearing, a Belfast District Court judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest and set bail at $16,929.50.
Blaisdell technically still holds the position of Hancock County probate judge, though he’s been suspended from serving as either a lawyer or judge.
During his suspension, Hancock has relied on a multi-county agreement that allows probate judges in neighboring counties to adjudicate its probate cases. Such matters often involve wills and estates, adoptions and name changes, and guardianships and conservatorships.
Blaisdell has faced at least three contempt orders, all issued by different judges, for falling behind multiple times on child support payments to his ex-wife. Since the couple’s 2019 divorce, Blaisdell has dodged more than $67,000 in timely child support payments and attorney fees.
Blaisdell’s ex-wife says he is once again in violation of court orders from last year requiring the probate judge to pay overdue child support payments and his ex-wife’s attorney fees, according to court documents.
Thursday’s hearing was scheduled to address his latest overdue, court-ordered payments.
Blaisdell did not immediately respond to inquiries from the Bangor Daily News.
In November 2025, when facing a previous contempt order, Blaisdell paid $25,684 to his ex-wife’s lawyer. Although the probate judge had previously testified under oath that he was unable to pay that sum because he didn’t have the money, his financial statements showed he had more than $500,000 in savings.
Blaisdell was first elected as Hancock County’s probate judge in 2014. He narrowly won reelection in 2018 and then was reelected without opposition in 2022.
The county’s probate position is coming up for election again in November. So far, no one — including Blaisdell — has filed paperwork with the state to run for the post this year.
The deadline to run in party primary elections for county and state elections this summer is at 5 p.m. Monday.
