Product Description

This program presents an essential analysis and in-depth discussion of the many components inherent in Category E & F guardian ad litem appointments and their practical applications for guardians ad litem and attorneys, including how to interpret the order of appointment; what type of intake/questionnaire forms could or should be used; how bias can play a role throughout a GAL appointment; what makes a useful GAL report; and waiver of privilege from the view of the guardian and the view of the Category E/F GAL. Practice tips are offered by seasoned Category E and F GALs and Probate and Family Court Judges and staff. A representative from the Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court (AOPFC) will answer the most frequently asked questions from guardians ad litem. 

For Current Category E and Category F List Members: If you are currently on the Probate and Family Court's Category E or Category F Fee-Generating Appointment List, you are required to take the yearly CLE as set forth by the AOPFC. The live webcast, the recorded webcast, and the on-demand webcast of this program all fulfill the requirement to remain on the list for 2023, as long as you complete the required prompts and submit the required documentation to pandf.feegenerating@jud.state.ma.us. 

Note: To obtain continuing education credits to meet your requirements to stay on the Category E or Category F list for 2023, you must choose the "Prompts" option when you click the link to begin the live webcast, the recorded webcast, and the on-demand webcast and click all prompts as they appear during the program. 

Agenda & Materials

• 9:30 am - 10:00 am

  Logistics of Fee Generating Appointments in the Probate and Family Court

  eLecture Add to Cart

  Denise M. Fitzgerald, Esq., Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• 10:00 am - 11:00 am

  The Use of Intake/Questionnaire Forms in GAL Evaluations and Investigations

  eLecture Add to Cart

  How to interpret the Order of Appointment • Intake/Questionnaire Forms

  Linda Medeiros, Esq., Law Office of Linda Medeiros , Danvers
  Thomas D. Ritter, Esq., Atwood & Cherny, PC , Boston
  ,
  
• 11:00 am - 11:15 am

  Break
• 11:15 am - 12:15 pm

  How to Write a Useful GAL report

  eLecture Add to Cart

  What makes a useful GAL report? • Does your report show hidden biases?

  Kelly Flynn Zawistowski, Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Springfield
  Dr. Robert A. Zibbell, Ph.D., Robert A. Zibbell, Ph.D. , Monument Beach
  
• 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm

  Probate & Family Court Category E & Category F Training: Nuances of Privilege

  eLecture Add to Cart

  Guardian to assert or waive appointment • Importance of understanding privilege in a GAL evaluation/investigation

  Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D., Co-Parenting Assessment Center , Natick
  Linda Medeiros, Esq., Law Office of Linda Medeiros , Danvers
  Thomas D. Ritter, Esq., Atwood & Cherny, PC , Boston
  

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Cochairs

Faculty