The new Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (MUPC), which went into effect in 2009, includes provisions designed to protect vulnerable citizens under guardianship. Under the MUPC, guardians of adult incapacitated persons must file an initial Care Plan with the court within 60 days after the guardianship appointment and Annual Reports thereafter. The Probate and Family Court is committed to reviewing these reports and has turned to Senior Partners for Justice to help with this important work. Specifically, the Court has sought volunteers from Senior Partners to serve as Judicial Designees to assist in the review of these Care Plans and Annual Reports.

This training will prepare attorneys to participate in this so-called Judicial Designee project. It will also be useful for those who have already volunteered for this project.

MCLE has generously offered to host the training at its conference center at 10 Winter Place in Boston and to webcast it for those who do not want to come into Boston. The webcast will be live so you will be able to ask questions of the panelists. Instructions for participating by webcast are attached to this webpage and will be emailed prior to the date of the training.

Speakers include:

• Probate and Family Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey
• Assistant Judicial Case Manager Jennifer Rivera-Ulwick
• Hon. Edward M. Ginsburg (Ret.)
• Current Judicial Designee Volunteers Ellen DiPaola, Linda Goodenough and Joanne Moses
  

Sign Up Online

More information about the Judicial Designee project:

Each month, SPJ volunteers go to the Probate & Family Courts in Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Hampden and Hampshire Counties to review guardianship reports. Using a checklist designed by the Court, the volunteers flag problem areas for the Court to follow up on.

This Project is limited in scope and the work can be done in discrete, pre-scheduled blocks of time (e.g., 3 hours in the morning or afternoon). It is a great pro bono opportunity for busy attorneys. You only need a morning or afternoon a few times a year to help the court protect vulnerable members of the community.

Sign Up Online