Bar Association Programs

Hampshire Elder Law Program (H.E.L.P.)

The Hampshire Elder Law Program (H.E.L.P.) provides representation for the civil legal needs of low income elders sixty years of age or older and whom in Hampshire County.  Hampshire Elder Law Program, which is funded by the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, appoints attorneys to represent clients pro bono.  The attorneys are paid through the program at a reduced rate.

Hampshire County Bar Association Mediation Service

The Hampshire County Bar Association maintains, for the convenience of the bar and the public, a roster of lawyers and retired judges who are willing and available to serve as neutrals to assist in the resolution of civil disputes. Upon the request of the parties to any such dispute, the Administrator of the Mediation Service will endeavor to arrange a time and place for an arbitration, case evaluation, or mediation session with any member of the roster designated by the parties. In any case in which a member of the roster has been appointed by a justice of any of the trial courts to serve as an arbitrator in a particular case, the Administrator will, upon request, endeavor to arrange a time and place for an arbitration session before the appointed arbitrator.

Hampshire Conciliation Program

The Hampshire Conciliation Program is a service of the Hampshire County Bar Association. The Program provides conciliation services free of charge to parties with cases in the Hampshire Probate and Family Court. The program is open to you whether you are representing yourself or you have an attorney representing you.

For The Children

For The Children is a supportive parent education program that focuses on the needs of children of never married parents.  The program is three hours long and is held in the evenings.

PACT Program (Parents and Children In Transition)

The PACT program aims to empower parents by imparting information to best help children adjust to divorce. It is a program of support consisting of video, short presentations, and discussion. A male/female team of child development and parent education specialists lead the programs.

Domestic Relations Program for Children

The Domestic Relations Program provides representation on behalf of children whom 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.

Hampshire County Bar Association Juvenile and 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 stages of the adoption process at the court a memorable experience for both the children and parents. Funds raised are 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.

If you are interested in making a donation, please make checks payable to the Hampshire County Bar Association Foundation. All donations are 100% tax deductible.