Press Release

CONTACT: John Cross Staff Attorney 617-788-6600 FOR RELEASE ON: January 29, 2009   PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT ANNOUNCES THE FORMATION OF UNIFORM PROBATE CODE IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE AND WORKING GROUPS               Governor Deval Patrick has signed Chapter 521 of the Acts of 2008, An Act Relative to the Uniform Probate Code. The implementation of this legislation will cause sweeping changes in Massachusetts in the areas of probate law, guardianships and conservatorships. Article V of the Code pertaining to guardianships and conservatorships has an effective date of July 1, 2009 while the remainder of the Code has an effective date of July 1, 2011.             Chief Justice Paula Carey has begun working towards implementation by establishing the Probate and Family Court Department's Implementation Committee to coordinate this process. There will be two working groups, one to concentrate on the implementation of Article V and another that will focus on the remainder of the Code. A subgroup will work on the Guardianship of Minor aspects of Article V. The following people have graciously volunteered to be a part of this effort:     MUPC Estate Working Group Honorable Elaine M. Moriarty, Chair Honorable Anthony R. Nesi Honorable Lisa A. Roberts Pamela Casey-O'Brien, Register Tara DeCristofaro, Register Anastasia Welsh Perrino, Register Benjamin F. Harley, Esq., Judicial Case Manager Raymond H. Young, Esq. Mark A. Leahy, Esq. Edward Notis-McConarty, Esq. Susan T. Seguin, Head Administrative Assistant Article V Working Group Honorable Elaine M. Moriarty, Chair Honorable Anthony R. Nesi Honorable Susan D. Ricci Honorable Sean M. Dunphy (Ret.) Patrick W. McDermott, Register Gina L. DeRossi, Register Mark A. Leahy, Esq. Benjamin F. Harley, Esq., Judicial Case Manager John G. Dugan, Esq. Robert F. Fleischner, Esq. Jennifer Moye, Ph.D. Evelyn J. Patsos, Esq., Family Law Facilitator Jennifer M. Ulwick, Esq., Assistant Judicial Case Manager Lester D. Blumberg, Esq.                                             This omnibus piece of legislation provides significant protection for minors and those who lack capacity. The legislation also provides for whole scale change in the probate area of practice with an eye toward simplification and streamlining of processes. Chief Justice Carey said, "I am grateful to those who have agreed to serve on this important Committee and for their commitment to our Court. We look forward to greater protections for minors and those who lack capacity and welcome reform in the probate area of our Court."   PDF of this Press Release