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. This year’s training focuses on writing skills, as well as subpoena and deposition issues facing GALs; and Massachusetts removal and modification standards. Practice tips are offered by seasoned Category E and F GALs and Probate and Family Court judges and staff.

For Current Category E & 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 2025, as long as you complete the required prompts and submit the required documentation to pandf.feegenerating@jud.state.ma.us by December 2, 2024.

Note: To obtain continuing education credits to meet your requirements to stay on the Category E or Category F list for 2025, 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

• 8:45am - 9:00am

  Welcome and Logistics of Fee Generating Appointments in the Probate and Family Court

  Denise M. Fitzgerald, Esq., Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• 9:00am - 11:00am

  Writing

  Kenneth Bresler, Esq., Division of Administrative Law Appeals, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• 11:00am - 11:15am

  Break
• 11:15am - 12:15pm

  Writing GAL Reports

  Moderators - Kelly Flynn Zawistowski and Dr. Mira Z. Levitt

  Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D., Co-Parenting Assessment Center , Natick
  Kathleen A. Rice, , Woburn
  Linda Medeiros, Esq., Law Office of Linda Medeiros , Danvers
  Talia N. Simonds, Esq., Simonds Family Law & Mediation, PLLC , Newton
  Kelly Flynn Zawistowski, Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Springfield
  Hon. Geoffrey R. German, , Worcester
  Hon. Janine D. Rivers, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• 12:15pm - 12:30pm

  Break
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm

  Hot Topics for GALs

  1. Subpoenas and Depositions. Moderator - Denise M. Fitzgerald
  2. Removal Standards. Moderator - Talia N. Simonds
  3. Modification Standards and Domestic Violence. Moderators - Linda Medeiros
• 1:30pm

  Final Questions and Answers and Wrap-Up

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

Fees

• $148.50 - MCLE Sponsor Member
• $82.50 - New Lawyer
• $82.50 - Pending Admittee
• $82.50 - Law Student
• $82.50 - Paralegal
• $165.00 - All Others

Available FREE with an MCLE OnlinePass^® subscription.