PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT SEEKS COMMENT ON DRAFT STANDARDS FOR
EVALUATIONS AND REPORT WRITING FOR GUARDIANS AD
LITEM/EVALUATORS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO G.L. c. 215, § 56A
The draft standards for evaluations and report writing for guardians ad litem/evaluators appointed pursuant to G.L. c. 215, § 56A are now available on the Trial Court website 
at: http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/probateandfamilycourt/. The Administrative Office is seeking comments on the draft standards. Comments may be submitted in written form to the Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Two Center Plaza, Suite 210, Boston, MA 02108, Attn.: Mark R. Quigley, Administrative Attorney.
Comments must be received no later than March 30, 2007.
The Probate and Family Court Administrative Office contracted with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) to develop comprehensive standards for evaluations and report writing for guardians ad litem. The goal of the Administrative Office is to develop comprehensive standards for evaluations and report writing while ensuring an affordable process for litigants.
Pursuant to this contract, MLRI worked with a Committee of judges and lawyers appointed by Chief Justice Sean M. Dunphy to develop comprehensive standards relating to the evaluations and reports of particular allegations that are being investigated and evaluated by guardians ad litem in child welfare cases. In addition, MLRI is developing a training module and curriculum materials incorporating the new standards for evaluations and report writing to be used to orientate judges, court staff, attorneys and mental health professionals who are appointed as guardians ad litem to the use of the standards under Category E pursuant to Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:07.
Go to the Draft Standards
