Press Release  Massachusetts Trial Court Announces the Implementation of the Office of Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship Oversight

BOSTON, MA — Massachusetts Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi E. Brieger and Court Administrator Thomas Ambrosino today announced the implementation of the Office of Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship Oversight (OAGCO) in the Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court Department.

The OAGCO is the culmination of collaborative efforts made possible by the Elder Justice Innovation Grant that the Trial Court was awarded in 2021 from the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living. 

The overarching goal of the OAGCO is to implement improvements in the Probate and Family Court’s monitoring of adults subject to guardianship and conservatorship arrangements to ensure their personal well-being and financial protection. 

The OAGCO is established pursuant to Probate and Family Court Standing Order 1-2025. The OAGCO will:

• increase the Probate and Family Court’s oversight of guardians and conservators of adults by monitoring the filing of Guardian’s Care Plan Reports and the filing of conservators’ accounts
• collect and report data about adults under guardianship and conservatorship in the Probate and Family Court
• promote collaboration and foster working relationships and communications with federal and state executive branch agencies, non-profit organizations, and aging and disability network partners
• help educate the public on adult guardianship and conservatorship issues, including alternatives to these arrangements

The OAGCO expands on the work done since the implementation of the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code and the Unform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act to protect adults who may be at risk.

“The creation of the OAGCO is a tremendous step forward for Massachusetts to protect the quality of life for our most vulnerable adults,” said Trial Court Chief Justice Brieger. 

“The appointment of a guardian or a conservator is an important step to assist an adult who is unable to make personal or financial decisions for themselves. The Probate and Family Court recognizes that being a guardian or conservator and doing it right is time-consuming and hard work,” said Probate and Family Court Chief Justice John D. Casey. “We appreciate the family members and the unrelated fiduciaries who take on these important roles. I thank court personnel, our aging and disability network partners, and a committed Advisory Committee for their work and dedication to this project, which will benefit the adults who need our help and protection.”

“The OAGCO is the product of the innovation of the Trial Court and the strong level of interest and support from community stakeholders to build a model for oversight of guardianships and conservatorships of adults,” said Court Administrator Ambrosino.  

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