Product Description

This program presents analysis and in-depth discussion of two timely issues relevant to Category E & F guardian ad litem appointments. The first segment of the training will address recent changes to parentage law in Massachusetts. General Laws c. 209C has been amended to create new legal avenues for adjudicating parentage and has broadened the legally recognized limits of family structures. This training will review these statutory changes, with a focus on their effect on likely expectations for guardian ad litem appointments. The second segment of the training will examine the effects of incivility on the work done by guardians ad litem, and explore practical steps that GALs can take to better deal with difficult litigants and counsel while effectively completing their appointments.

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 2026, as long as you complete the required prompts and submit the required documentation to pandf.feegenerating@jud.state.ma.us by December 5, 2025.

Note: To obtain continuing education credits to meet your requirements to stay on the Category E or Category F list for 2026, 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

• 9:00am - 9:15am

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

  Brian R. Pariser, Esq., Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• 9:15am - 10:15am

  Recent Changes to Parentage Law in Massachusetts

  Hon. Jennifer Melia, Worcester Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Worcester
  Brian R. Pariser, Esq., Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Kelly Flynn Zawistowski, Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Springfield
  
• 10:15am - 10:30am

  Break
• 10:30am - 11:30am

  Recent Changes to Parentage Law in Massachusetts

  Hon. Jennifer Melia, Worcester Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Worcester
  Brian R. Pariser, Esq., Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Kelly Flynn Zawistowski, Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Springfield
  
• 11:30am - 11:45am

  Break
• 11:45am - 1:15pm

  Maintaining Civility and Collegial Practice in Challenging Cases

  Vicki L. Shemin, Esq., Turco Legal , Newburyport
  Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D., Co-Parenting Assessment Center , Natick
  Linda Medeiros, Esq., Law Office of Linda Medeiros , Danvers
  Hon. Jennifer Melia, Worcester Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Worcester
  Kathleen A. Rice, , Woburn
  Thomas D. Ritter, Esq., Law Firm of Thomas Ritter, LLC , Boston
  
• 1:15pm - 1:30pm

  "Ask the Experts" Q&A Session and Key Takeaways

  Panel
  

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