Guardianship of Erma

The subject of the present appeal is an order issued by a judge in the Probate and Family Court (Probate Court), authorizing the involuntary administration of antipsychotic medication (substituted judgment treatment order1) to a mentally ill woman under guardianship, whom we shall call Erma. The order was issued in February, 2009, and has expired; for that and additional reasons, this appeal is moot. However, we discuss one issue that is likely to recur concerning the notice requirements applicable to motions seeking substituted judgment treatment orders.

Background. Erma is a woman…