Adoption of Meaghan

The legal guardians of a child, as “person[s] having [her] care or custody,” filed a petition to adopt her pursuant to G. L. c. 210, §§ 3 (a), 6. The child’s father, who is indigent and whose parental rights will be terminated if the guardians’ petition is granted, filed an objection to the adoption.1 A judge in the Probate and Family Court appointed counsel for the father and child. The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), seeking a ruling as to whether it was authorized to compensate counsel in these circumstances, moved to intervene for the purpose of asking the judge to reserve…