Are you interested in learning more about being a Category E and/or Category F GAL or considering applying to be a Category E/F GAL? If so, this training is for you.
If you are considering applying to be a Category E/F GAL, you can take this training now and then submit your application package to endance at this training does not guarantee approval of your application but provides you with the tools you need to prepare for the application and interview process.Category E and F guardian ad litem evaluators/investigators provide critical information and insights to the Probate and Family Court in the areas of domestic relations, child custody, and parenting time. In this training, you are introduced to the Category E and Category F Standards and learn how to apply those standards to your evaluations/investigations, including how to prepare for the evaluation/investigation, conduct it, and then write the report. You also learn how to conduct an effective interview, including the nuances involved with interviewing children, confidentiality, privilege, and bias.
If you wish to join the Probate and Family Court’s Category E or Category F Fee-Generating Appointment List, you are required to take the training set forth by the Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court. Attendance at the live webcast, recorded webcast, or on demand webcast of this program and completion of the required prompts, fulfills part of the requirements to be considered for the Category E/F list. Submission of the required application and documentation is also necessary.
Note: To obtain credits to be considered for the Category E/F application, you must click all prompts as they appear during the program.
If you are considering applying to be a Category E/F GAL, you can take this training now and then submit your application package to endance at this training does not guarantee approval of your application but provides you with the tools you need to prepare for the application and interview process.Category E and F guardian ad litem evaluators/investigators provide critical information and insights to the Probate and Family Court in the areas of domestic relations, child custody, and parenting time. In this training, you are introduced to the Category E and Category F Standards and learn how to apply those standards to your evaluations/investigations, including how to prepare for the evaluation/investigation, conduct it, and then write the report. You also learn how to conduct an effective interview, including the nuances involved with interviewing children, confidentiality, privilege, and bias.
If you wish to join the Probate and Family Court’s Category E or Category F Fee-Generating Appointment List, you are required to take the training set forth by the Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court. Attendance at the live webcast, recorded webcast, or on demand webcast of this program and completion of the required prompts, fulfills part of the requirements to be considered for the Category E/F list. Submission of the required application and documentation is also necessary.
Note: To obtain credits to be considered for the Category E/F application, you must click all prompts as they appear during the program.
Course Content
9:00am - 9:45am - Welcome, Logisitics of Fee Generating Appointments, Introduction to the StandardsDenise M. Fitzgerald, Esq.,
Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
9:45am - 10:00am - Reflections on Bias
Denise M. Fitzgerald, Esq.,
Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
10:00am - 11:00am - Role of GAL and Differences Between E and F Appointments
Thomas D. Ritter, Esq.,
Atwood & Cherny, PC, Boston
11:00am - 11:15am - Break
11:15am - 1:15pm - An Investigation/Evaluation - From Beginning to End
Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D.,
Co-Parenting Assessment Center, Natick
Linda Medeiros, Esq.,
Law Office of Linda Medeiros, Danvers
1:15pm - 1:45pm - Break
1:45pm - 2:30pm - An Investigation/Evaluation - From Beginning to End - Cont.
Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D.,
Co-Parenting Assessment Center, Natick
Linda Medeiros, Esq.,
Law Office of Linda Medeiros, Danvers
2:30pm - 3:00pm - Post-Report
Kelly Flynn Zawistowski,
Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Springfield
Kathleen A. Rice,, Woburn
3:00pm - 3:15pm - Break
3:15pm - 3:45pm - Interactions with Judicial Liaison and Motion Practice for GALs
Kelly Flynn Zawistowski,
Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Springfield
Kathleen A. Rice,, Woburn
3:45pm - 4:15pm - 'Ask the Experts' Q&A Session and Key Takeaways
Hon. Nan M. Sauer,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Kelly Flynn Zawistowski,
Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Springfield
Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D.,
Co-Parenting Assessment Center, Natick
Kathleen A. Rice,, Woburn
Thomas D. Ritter, Esq.,
Atwood & Cherny, PC, Boston
Denise M. Fitzgerald, Esq.,
Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Day Two - October 31, 2024
8:45am - 9:00am - Welcome
Denise M. Fitzgerald, Esq.,
Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
9:00am - 10:15am - Putting it All Together/Report Writing
Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D.,
Co-Parenting Assessment Center, Natick
Kelly Flynn Zawistowski,
Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Springfield
10:15am - 10:30am - Break
10:30am - 11:45am - Confidentiality and Privilege
Linda Medeiros, Esq.,
Law Office of Linda Medeiros, Danvers
11:45am - 12:00pm - Break
12:00pm - 1:30pm - Interviewing Parents, Children and Collaterals
Dr. Stephanie Tabashneck, Esq.,
Center for Law, Brain, and Behavior/Petrie Flom Center, Harvard Law School, Cambridge
1:30pm - 2:00pm - 'Ask the Experts' Q&A Session and Key Takeaways
Kelly Flynn Zawistowski,
Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Springfield
Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D.,
Co-Parenting Assessment Center, Natick
Linda Medeiros, Esq.,
Law Office of Linda Medeiros, Danvers
Kathleen A. Rice,, Woburn
Thomas D. Ritter, Esq.,
Atwood & Cherny, PC, Boston
Denise M. Fitzgerald, Esq.,
Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Speaker(s)
CochairsDiane J. Beswick, Esq.,
Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Denise M. Fitzgerald, Esq.,
Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Faculty
Hon. Susan Lynne Jacobs,
Dukes County Probate & Family Court, Edgartown
Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D.,
Co-Parenting Assessment Center, Natick
Linda Medeiros, Esq.,
Law Office of Linda Medeiros, Danvers
Kathleen A. Rice,
Woburn
Thomas D. Ritter, Esq.,
Atwood & Cherny, PC, Boston
Hon. Nan M. Sauer,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Dr. Stephanie Tabashneck, Esq.,
Center for Law, Brain, and Behavior/Petrie Flom Center, Harvard Law School, Cambridge
Kelly Flynn Zawistowski,
Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Springfield
