Hampshire County Bar Association
Juvenile & Probate
Court Adoption Fund
In February of 2002, the
Hampshire County Bar Association, along with input from the Franklin/Hampshire
Juvenile Court and the Hampshire Probate and Family Court created the Juvenile
and Probate Court Adoption Fund. The mission of the Juvenile and Probate Court
Adoption Fund is to make the final stage of the adoption process at the court a
memorable experience for both the children and parents. Funds raised will be
used to purchase gifts to be given to the children/families following the
adoption ceremony as a part of the celebration of the conclusion of the adoption
process.
Domestic Relations Program for Children
The Domestic Relations Program for Children is one of the Hampshire County
Bar Association’s programs that is committed to providing excellent legal
services to the people of Hampshire County. The Domestic Relations Program
provides representation for children who do not qualify for CPCS, Western
Massachusetts Legal Services or the Volunteer Lawyers Service of the
Massachusetts Justice Project.
The Domestic Relations Program for Children receives funding from the
Massachusetts Bar Foundation to provide attorneys who will represent children on
a reduced fee basis in domestic relations matters in Probate Court. This program
meets the needs of children who otherwise would have no advocacy in highly
sensitive proceedings.
This program is specifically for children in Hampshire County. The Hampshire
Probate and Family Court judges refer children to the Domestic Relations Program
for Children. Recommendations for representation can be made to the judge by a
motion filed by an attorney involved in the case, with an administrative
recommendation from the Probate Clerk or Probation staff or by motion from any
party.
Conciliation Program
The Hampshire Conciliation Program provides conciliation services free of
charge to parties with causes in the Hampshire Probate and Family court. The
program is open whether you have an attorney or are representing yourself. The
Program is open to parties with family law cases including divorce,
modification, paternity, guardianship of minors and guardianship of adults. It
is also available for cases involving contested probate matters. If you decide
to participate in the program, an experienced neutral attorney who has been
trained as a conciliator, will meet with both parties for approximately one hour
and will assist you in settling the case by clarifying the issues and assessing
the strengths and weaknesses of each side of the case. You will not be required
to make any offers or concessions and there is no penalty for failure to settle
your case.