Guides & Checklists
Pro Bono to Go is a mobile-optimized library of Guides and Checklists designed for pro bono attorneys. Remember that guides and checklists may not cover every situation. These guides and checklists were created by the Volunteer Lawyers Project.
Guides
Guides provide an overview of the topic area. Interview guides contain model questions to solicit information relevant to the topic area from clients.
Remember that guides might not cover every circumstance and should be adapted to fit your client's particular situation.
Family Law
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Introduction to Divorce
An overview of divorce, including procedural steps to initiate a proceeding.
Divorce Interview Guide
An interview guide containing a series of model questions intended to solicit relevant information from clients.
Divorce Client with Children Interview
An interview guide to establishing your client's goals in a divorce where there are children. Model questions are provided
Divorce Filing Fees
These fees are waivable upon request and approval of the court.
Jurisdiction and Venue: Interview Guide
Questions to help you determine the proper location to file a simple Divorce with minor custodial children and how to serve the opposing party.
A Guide to Establishing Paternity
An overview to establishing Paternity.
Temporary Order
The court process can take a long time. Temporary orders are very important because they frequently become permanent orders. This is a guide to temporary orders when filing for divorce.
Financial Documents
A guide to the financial documents required in a divorce proceeding.
Parenting Education Programs
An overview of the requirements and motions needed to comply with Parenting Education.
A Guide to Separate Support
An overview of separate support in Massachusetts.
Direct Examination Of The Plaintiff
Model questions for a final divorce hearing. The questions you ask at the divorce hearing will vary depending on the facts, circumstances and relief sought in each case. These draft questions are intended as a starting place
Guardianship & Adoption
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Guardianship: An overview
A guide to the parties involved in a guardianship proceeding of an Incapacitated Person ("IP").
Guardianship: A Guide for Filing
Detailed information for filing for temporary and permanent guardianship of an incapacitated person ("IP").
A Guide to Adoption
An overview of adoption. Learn about adoption vs. guardianship.
Housing Law
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Tenancy
The rights and responsibilities a client has depends on the type of tenancy.
Housing Overview
Elements of a housing case.
A Guide to Agreement for Judgments in Summary Process
Risks, Requirements and Things to Consider when crafting an Agreement for Judgment in a Summary Process case.
See sample language for your Agreement for Judgment in the Sample Agreement for Judgment checklist.
Keeping the Tenant in the Unit: A Guide when crafting a Stipulation or Agreement for Judgment
Things to consider and negotiate if your client wants to remain in her unit.
Substantive Defenses and Counterclaims
A list and description of laws that may have been violated.
Elements of Affirmative Causes of Action
Can your client bring an affirmative case? Check if their claim has all the proper elements.
Calculating Judgment Amounts: Claims your Client May Have
A guide to some housing claims and defenses.
Equitable Relief
Housing Court has broad powers of equitable relief that are exercised at their discretion.
Notice to Quit
A notice to quit notifies the tenant that their tenancy will be terminated at the end of the period and a suit to evict will follow.
Complaint
The complaint with the summons start the eviction law suit.
Answer
The tenants chance to tell the court her defenses and counterclaims.
Discovery
The tenants' way to get information from the landlord. It is filed with court and delivered to the landlord or landlord’s attorney by the Answer date.
Filing and serving discovery automatically pushes back the first hearing date 2 weeks.
Motion to Compel Discovery
If the Plaintiff does not produce timely responses to your discovery requests.
Defenses
The tenant's reasons to stop the eviction or owe less money. Many are found in G.L. c. 186 and G.L. c. 239.
Counterclaims
The tenant's claims against the landlord. Can be for money or in non-payment or no fault eviction, if damages awarded in CC is greater than amount owed, can prevent eviction.
Judgment and Execution
Uniform Summary Process Rules 10 and 13
Checklists
Checklists contain issues to consider when:
- Preparing to take a case;
- Discussing the case with your client; and
- Addressing in your client's settlement agreement.
Remember that checklists might not cover every circumstance and should be adapted to fit your client's particular situation.
Family Law
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1A Divorce: Steps
A checklist of the steps for filing a 1A divorce.
1B Divorce: A Checklist
A checklist of documents when filing a 1B divorce. See MGL 208 Sec. 1B.
1B Divorce with children: A Checklist
Use this checklist to guide you through filing a divorce when the parties have children.
Service of Process Checklist
Check to make sure you have followed all the necessary steps.
Service By Publication Checklist
A checklist to ensure proper service by publication.
Discovery Checklist
A checklist when requesting discovery.
Are Temporary Orders Needed?
You may need to request temporary orders if you have any of these issues in your case.
Complaint for Contempt Checklist
Find out if you need to file a Complaint for Contempt.
Complaint for Custody/Support/Parenting Time Checklist
Should you file a Complaint for Custody/Support/Parenting Time?
A checklist for when you should and how to file a Complaint for Custody/Support/Parenting Time.
Custody Checklist
A checklist of steps for assisting your client with a custody matter.
Separation Agreement Checklist
A checklist of content to consider in a separation agreement.
Establishing Paternity
A checklist for establishing paternity where the parties are not married.
Financial Statement Checklist
Tips to fill it out right.
Modification of a Court Order or Judgment Checklist
A checklist to modify an Order or Judgment.
Request for Final Hearing Checklist
To request a final hearing, follow these steps.
The Final Divorce Hearing
A checklist to prepare for the final Divorce hearing.
Guardianship
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Guardianship Checklist for Filing
A checklist for filing a guardianship.
Guardianship: A Checklist of Considerations Before Filing
A checklist of things to consider before filing for guardianship.
Termination of Guardianship
A checklist for terminating a guardianship. M.G.L. c. 190B, § 5-310
Housing Law
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Rent Abatement Checklist
Are there bad conditions in your client's apartment? Not sure if she has a better claim for the diminished value of the unit than three months rent? Check out some abatements that have been awarded around the state for certain conditions.
Sample Agreement for Judgment Language
Sample Language for use in Agreements for Judgments. Refer to the Guide for Agreements for Judgment in Summary Process to learn more about where this language can go.
Affirmative Causes of Action
Have you considered all the possible affirmative causes of action for your housing complaint?