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 te.ma.us. Attendance 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, the recorded webcast, or the 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 choose the 'Prompts' option when you click the link to begin the live webcast, the recorded webcast, and the on-demand webcast and 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 te.ma.us. Attendance 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, the recorded webcast, or the 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 choose the 'Prompts' option when you click the link to begin the live webcast, the recorded webcast, and the on-demand webcast and click all prompts as they appear during the program.
Course Content
Day 1: Thursday, November 3, 20229:00 am - 9:45 am
Welcome, Logistics of Fee Generating Appointments, Introduction to the Standards
Diane 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
9:45 am - 10:00 am
Introductory Training for Category E & Category F GALs: Reflection on Bias
Denise M. Fitzgerald, Esq.,
Probate and Family Court Administrative Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Role of the GAL and Differences Between E and F Appointments
Thomas D. Ritter, Esq.,
Atwood & Cherny, PC, Boston
11:00 am - 11:15 am
Break
11:15 am - 11:45 am
Introductory Training for Category E & Category F GALs: Beginning an Investigation/Evaluation
,
11:45 am - 1:15 pm
Introductory Training for Category E & Category F GALs: How to Conduct an Investigation/Evaluation
Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D.,
Co-Parenting Assessment Center, Natick
Linda Medeiros, Esq.,
Law Office of Linda Medeiros, Danvers
1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Break
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Introductory Training for Category E & Category F GALs: Post-Report
Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D.,
Co-Parenting Assessment Center, Natick
Kelly Flynn Zawistowski,
Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Springfield
Dr. Robert A. Zibbell, Ph.D.,
Robert A. Zibbell, Ph.D., Monument Beach
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Break
3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
Introductory Training for Category E & Category F GALs: Tips from the Bench
Hon. Claudine T. Wyner,
Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
3:45 pm - 4:15 pm
'Ask the Experts' Q&A Session
Panel
Day 2: Friday, November 4, 2022
8:45 am - 9:00 am
Welcome and Introduction Day 2
Diane 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
9:00 am - 10:15 am
Introductory Training for Category E & Category F GALs: Putting it all together/Report Writing/Writing Tips/Pitfalls to Avoid/Quality over Quantity
Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D.,
Co-Parenting Assessment Center, Natick
Kelly Flynn Zawistowski,
Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Springfield
Dr. Robert A. Zibbell, Ph.D.,
Robert A. Zibbell, Ph.D., Monument Beach
10:15 am - 10:30 am
Break
10:30 am - 11:45 am
Introductory Training for Category E & Category F GALs: Confidentiality and Privilege
Linda Medeiros, Esq.,
Law Office of Linda Medeiros, Danvers
11:45 am - 12:00 pm
Break
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Introductory Training for Category E & Category F GALs: Interviewing Parents, Children and Collaterals
Dr. Stephanie Tabashneck, Esq.,
Licensed Psychologist, Wellesley Hills
Please Note
This webcast is delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal.
There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only.
They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.
Speakers
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
Dr. Mira Z. Levitt, Ph.D.,
Co-Parenting Assessment Center, Natick
Linda Medeiros, Esq.,
Law Office of Linda Medeiros, Danvers
Thomas D. Ritter, Esq.,
Atwood & Cherny, PC, Boston
Talia N. Simonds, Esq.,
Simonds Family Law & Mediation, PLLC, Newton
Dr. Stephanie Tabashneck, Esq.,
Licensed Psychologist, Wellesley Hills
Hon. Claudine T. Wyner,
Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Kelly Flynn Zawistowski,
Hampden Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Springfield
Dr. Robert A. Zibbell, Ph.D.,
Robert A. Zibbell, Ph.D., Monument Beach
