Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
27 School Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02108
Ph: 617.973.6666 Fax: 617.973.6663 www.womensbar.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kathy Jo Cook, President
Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
617-549-5237
Nicci Meadow, Executive Director
Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
(617) 973-6666
WOMEN’S BAR ASSOCIATION COMMENDS GOVERNOR PATRICK’S
SIGNING OF MASSACHUSETTS’ UNIFORM PROBATE CODE
(Boston, MA) – January 23, 2009. The Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts applauds Governor Patrick’s signing into law the Uniform Probate Code, a piece of legislation that has been pending for nearly 20 years. Previously referred to as Senate Bill Number 2622, An Act Relative to the Uniform Probate Code, the resulting UPC is expected to eliminate many of the prior ambiguities and complexities that were part of the probate framework. More significantly, the new UPC will better protect those individuals, both adults and children, who may be in need of a guardian, and will serve to protect their essential civil liberties by tailoring the guardianship to the needs of the individual. The protection of these vulnerable members of our society has been a long-standing concern of the Women’s Bar Association. “This is certainly a welcome change in existing law,” said Kathy Jo Cook, President of the Women’s Bar Association. “The WBA continues to be impressed with Governor Patrick’s initiative and follow-through on legislative issues that were not prioritized by prior administrations.” The Bill was before the legislature for many years before it gained the approval of the House of Representatives last July and the Senate in December, 2008. Some of the changes will go into effect in 2009, including guardian provisions that will be effective as of July 1, 2009, but the majority of the changes will become effective in 2011.
About the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
Founded in 1978 by a group of activist women lawyers, the Women’s Bar Association is one of the oldest and largest bar associations in the country. Today, the organization boasts a membership of more than 1600 women lawyers, judges and law students across Massachusetts. The WBA is committed to the full and equal participation of women in the legal profession and in a just society. The WBA works to achieve this mission through committees and taskforces, and by developing and promoting a legislative agenda to address society’s most critical social and legal issues. Other WBA activities include drafting amicus briefs, studying employment issues affecting women, encouraging women to enter the judiciary, recognizing the achievement of women in the law, and providing pro bono services to women in need through supporting its charitable sister organization, the Women’s Bar Foundation. For more information, visit www.womensbar.org.
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