Interested Parties checklist for 
Guardianship of Minor Proceedings:
Standing Order 4-09

Please review the Petition for Appointment of Guardian of a Minor and complete this chart to
determine who the “Interested Parties” are in your case.  In most cases, mother and father will be the
only “Interested Parties.”

Possible Interested Parties

Serve this
person:    
YES

Serve
this
person:
NO

How to Serve
(Deliver) Notice
to this person
(see instructions)

For
Court
Use

Child age 14____________________(name)
If the child is 14 or over, he or she m ust be
served, unless the child is the petitioner.

MOTHER:_____________________(name)
Does the child have a mother living?  The
mother must be served UNLESS:  
The m other had her legal parental rights
term inated or signed a voluntary surrender as
stated in item # 8 on your Petition for
Appointm ent of Guardian of a Minor. 

FATHER:______________________(name)
Does the child have a father living?  The
father must be served UNLESS:  
The father had his legal parental rights
term inated or signed a voluntary surrender as
stated in item # 8 on your Petition for
Appointm ent of Guardian of a Minor. 

CAREGIVER:__________________(name)
During the last 60 days has anyone other
than the parents been given custody of the
child or had the child living with them? If
yes, this person must be served.
See items # 12 and 14 on your Petition for
Appointm ent of Guardian of a Minor. 

Nominated
Guardian:_____________________(name)
Has the child, age 14 or above nominated
someone to be the Guardian? If YES, this
person must be served.  See item #11 on
your Petition for Appointm ent of Guardian of a
Minor. 

Nominated
Guardian:____________________ (name)
Has a parent, through a will or other written
instrument nominated someone to be the
Guardian?  See item #5 on your Petition for
Appointm ent of Guardian of a Minor. 

Possible Interested Parties

Serve this
person:    
YES

Serve
this
person:
NO

How to Serve
(Deliver) Notice
to this person
(see instructions)

For
Court
Use

You m ail notice by first
class m ail to: Veterans
Benefits Adm in, JFK
Federal Bldg., Gov’t
Center, Boston, MA
02203.

You m ail notice by first
class m ail to the local
office of the
Departm ent of
Children and Fam ilies

Veteran’s Administration:
Does the child receive benefits paid by the
Veteran’s Administration?  If, YES, they
must be served by first class mail.

Department of Children and Families:
Is the child in the custody of the Department
of Children and Families?  If, YES, they
must be served by first class mail.

Spouse: if the Minor is married

If no parents are living, brothers and
sisters 18 years of age or older.

                                                (name)
________________________ (name)
See item #13 on your Petition for Appointm ent of
Guardian of a Minor.