Section 5–106. [Appointment of Counsel; Guardian ad Litem.]
(a) After filing of a petition for appointment of a guardian, conservator or other protective order, if the ward, incapacitated person or person to be protected or someone on his behalf requests appointment of counsel; or if the court determines at any time in the proceeding that the interests of the ward, incapacitated person or person to be protected are or may be inadequately represented, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the person, giving consideration to the choice of the person if 14 or more years of age. If the ward, incapacitated person or person to be protected has adequate resources, his counsel shall be compensated from the estate, unless the court shall order that such compensation be paid by the petitioner. Counsel for any indigent ward, incapacitated person or person to be protected shall be compensated by the commonwealth or the petitioner as the court may order. This section shall not be interpreted to abridge or limit the right of any ward, incapacitated person or person to be protected to retain counsel of his own choice and to prosecute or defend a petition under this article.
(b) The court may appoint as guardian ad litem, an individual or any public or charitable agency to investigate the condition of the ward, incapacitated person or person to be protected and make appropriate recommendations to the court.
(c) The incapacitated person or person to be protected is entitled to be present at any hearing in person. A ward, if 14 or more years of age, is entitled to be present at any hearing in person unless the court, upon written findings, determines that the best interest of the ward will not be served thereby. The person is entitled to be represented by counsel, to present evidence, to cross-examine witnesses, including any physician or other qualified person and any guardian ad litem. The issue may be determined at a closed hearing if the person or counsel for the person so requests.
(d) Any person may apply for permission to provide information in the proceeding and the court may grant the request, with or without hearing, upon determining that the best interest of the person to be protected will be served thereby. The court may attach appropriate conditions to the permission.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations
Chapter 190b - Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code
Article V - Protection of Persons Under Disability and Their Property
Section 4-401 - Effect of Adjudication for or Against Personal Representative
Section 5-101 - Definitions and Inclusions
Section 5-102 - Facility of Payment or Delivery
Section 5-103 - Delegation of Powers by Parent or Guardian
Section 5-106 - Appointment of Counsel; Guardian Ad Litem
Section 5-107 - Protection of Minors
Section 5-201 - Appointment and Status of Guardian of Minor
Section 5-202 - Parental or Guardian Appointment of Guardian for Minor
Section 5-203 - Objection by Minor Fourteen or Older to Parental Appointment
Section 5-206 - Procedure for Court Appointment of Guardian of Minor
Section 5-207 - Court Appointment of Guardian of Minor; Qualifications; Priority of Minor's Nominee
Section 5-208 - Bond; Consent to Service by Acceptance of Appointment; Notice
Section 5-209 - Powers, Duties, Rights and Immunities of Guardian of Minor; Limitations
Section 5-210 - Termination of Appointment of Guardian; General
Section 5-212 - Resignation, Removal, and Other Post-Appointment Proceedings
Section 5-301 - Nomination of Guardian for Incapacitated Person by Will or Other Writing
Section 5-303 - Procedure for Court Appointment of a Guardian of an Incapacitated Person
Section 5-304 - Notice in Guardianship or Conservatorship Proceeding
Section 5-305 - Who May Be Guardian; Parties
Section 5-306 - Findings; Order of Appointment
Section 5-307 - Bond; Acceptance of Appointment; Consent to Jurisdiction
Section 5-308 - Emergency Orders; Temporary Guardians
Section 5-309 - Powers, Duties, Rights and Immunities of Guardians, Limitations
Section 5-310 - Termination of Guardianship for Incapacitated Person
Section 5-311 - Removal or Resignation of Guardian; Termination of Incapacity
Section 5-313 - Religious Freedom of Incapacitated Person
Section 5-401 - Management of Estate
Section 5-402 - Protective Proceedings; Jurisdiction of Business Affairs of Protected Persons
Section 5-404 - Original Petition for Appointment or Protective Order
Section 5-407 - Findings; Order of Appointment; Permissible Court Orders
Section 5-408 - Protective Arrangements and Single Transactions Authorized
Section 5-409 - Who May Be Appointed Conservator; Penalties
Section 5-411 - Terms and Requirements of Bonds
Section 5-412 - Acceptance of Appointment; Consent to Jurisdiction
Section 5-413 - Compensation and Expenses
Section 5-415 - Petitions for Orders Subsequent to Appointment
Section 5-416 - General Duty of Conservator; Plan
Section 5-417 - Inventory and Records
Section 5-419 - Conservators; Title by Appointment
Section 5-420 - Recording of Conservator's Letters
Section 5-422 - Persons Dealing With Conservators; Protection
Section 5-423 - Powers of Conservator in Administration
Section 5-424 - Distributive Duties and Powers of Conservator
Section 5-425 - Enlargement or Limitation of Powers of Conservator
Section 5-426 - Preservation of Estate Plan; Right to Examine
Section 5-427 - Claims Against Protected Person
Section 5-428 - Personal Liability of Conservator
Section 5-431 - Foreign Conservator; Proof of Authority; Bond; Powers
Section 5-502 - Durable Power of Attorney Not Affected by Lapse of Time, Disability or Incapacity
Section 5-503 - Relation of Attorney in Fact to Court-Appointed Fiduciary
Section 5-504 - Power of Attorney Not Revoked Until Notice
Section 5-505 - Proof of Continuance of Durable and Other Powers of Attorney by Affidavit
Section 5-507 - Protection; Third Parties
Section 5-306a - Substituted Judgment