Memorandum  Memorandum regarding increased hourly rate for state-paid category F GALS

Date:	01/11/2023
Organization:	Probate and Family Court
Referenced Sources:	Probate and Family Court

To: All Category F Guardians ad litem 

From: Hon. John D. Casey, Chief Justice

Memorandum

As the result of an earmark and accompanying funding included by the Legislature in the Trial Court’s FY23 budget, the hourly rate for state-paid, Category F GALs was increased to $50 per hour. The rate increase is retroactive to July 1, 2022. 

If you have submitted bills for services rendered after July 1, 2022, but used the $40 per hour rate, you are responsible for submitting an amended bill and providing documentation to the appropriate division of the Probate and Family Court to obtain the correct payment.

The Court Investigator's Certificate of Services form available on Mass.gov has been updated to account for the rate increase, and Category F GALs should use the updated form when seeking payment for services rendered on or after July 1, 2022. To the extent Category F GALs have not yet submitted bills for services rendered prior to July 1, 2022, the Court Investigator's Certificate of Services for Services Rendered Prior to July 1, 2002 form should accompany those requests. This version of the form will remain available on Mass.gov for the next few months to accommodate submission of older bills. Until a new Certificate of Services form is created to use by the Probate and Family Court and Juvenile Court, Category F GALs may use the Juvenile Court’s Court Investigator’s form and strike out “Juvenile Court” and write in “Probate and Family Court.” 

Questions concerning the processing of specific bills at the $50 hourly rate should be directed to the local division of the Probate and Family Court. Other fee generating questions can be emailed to [e-mail].