In re Guardianship of Pavel

A Probate and Family Court judge found the mother currently unfit to parent her son, Pavel, and issued a decree granting permanent guardianship of the child to the mother's uncle and his wife (guardians). See G. L. c. 190B, § 5-204. The mother appeals, contending that the judge made several erroneous findings of fact and, further, that the guardian ad litem (GAL) did not follow Probate and Family Court Standing Order 1-08 when writing her report. Because the challenged findings do not fatally undermine the decree, and the judge was free to weigh the GAL's report irrespective of her adherence…