If you are going through a divorce, there are two particularly difficult decisions to be made by you and your spouse. If you have children who are still dependent on you, you have to think who they are going to live with, how each of you can have quality time with...
Zoning Regulations and the Zoning Board of Appeal in Massachusetts
All municipalities in Massachusetts use zoning regulations to restrict the use of property within their respective jurisdictions. This means that there are no uniform state rules about zoning, as each town, city, county, or other type of municipality, has its own...
What Type of Home Insurance Do You Need When You Buy a House In Massachusetts?
If you are considering buying a house in Massachusetts, you will certainly need to think about taking out home insurance cover for it. Your new home will probably be the largest asset you will own, so losing it to a fire, storm, even if only part of it is damaged,...
What is the Process to Get an Uncontested Divorce in MA?
Divorces can be messy and stressful experiences, especially if you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement on whether both of you want a divorce, how your assets should be divided once the divorce is finalized and how to organize looking after any dependent...
Benefits and Drawbacks of Going Through Probate in Massachusetts
What is meant by probate in Massachusetts? Probate is the legal process that takes place after someone dies in which that person’s assets are paid out to beneficiaries according to the deceased person’s will or through intestacy rules if there is no will. Debts and...
Real Estate Law in Massachusetts: What Is an Affidavit Of Title?
Imagine buying a property somewhere in Massachusetts and finding out that the property didn’t actually belong to the person who sold it to you, or you find out that the property was tied up in several debts still outstanding. This doesn’t, or shouldn’t happen, of...
Real Estate Law in MA: What is an Irrevocable Trust Deed?
The older most people are, the more likely they are to be wealthier than when they were young. Owning more wealth has its own problems, one of which is the worry about what to do with any wealth when you pass away. A real estate attorney can help you to prepare an...
Is a Petition for Separation Required In a Divorce In Massachusetts?
The difference between a divorce and a separation In Massachusetts, a divorce legally ends a marriage. A separation is not a divorce, so if two spouses decide to separate and live separate lives, they still remain married. When one or both spouses file a petition for...
Jury Service in Massachusetts
Just about any adult who is on the electoral roll in Massachusetts could be picked at random for jury duty in the state, so if this has happened to you and you are unsure what it means, read on below. Who are jurors? Jurors are people from all walks of life who have...
Difference Between Joint Legal and Joint Physical Child Custody in Massachusetts
Separation or divorce can be a challenging and stressful experience and if there are shared children, plans about how to care for them can be some of the most difficult decisions to make. If the two parents can come to a mutually agreed plan about child custody, then...
Required Home Disclosures When Selling A Property in Massachusetts
When selling your property in Massachusetts, you need to be aware that there are disclosures that are a legal requirement in the state. These disclosure requirements are relatively minor compared to some other states, but if you ignore the requirements or are unaware...
Postnuptial Agreements in Massachusetts
Many people are aware of premarital contracts such as prenuptial agreements (prenups) and what they are designed to do. Prenups clarify financial arrangements before a couple gets married so that if there is a breakdown in the marriage subsequently and a divorce is...
New Legislation for the New Year in Massachusetts
Two new pieces of legislation have come into effect in Massachusetts since the start of the New Year. They may not be about laws that you have ever heard of, or even realized that you may have already had a vote on, but directly or indirectly they could affect you in...
What is Meant by Grandfathering in Massachusetts Zoning Laws?
If you own a property in Massachusetts, you can’t do whatever you want with it. The state’s zoning laws and by-laws outline the basic parameters for buildings within each zone. For example, in one particular area, the zone may be designated as residential, while in...
What is Meant by a Declaration of Homestead in Massachusetts?
By declaring your home as a homestead in Massachusetts, you can protect the equity in your home from some creditors if they try to force a sale of your home in an attempt to settle a debt. Filing a declaration of homestead is relatively easy, but you should know what...
What are Shareholders Agreements in Massachusetts?
Shareholders agreements are an important part of any business, big or small, that has more than one shareholder. Shareholders agreements exist to establish the rights and responsibilities of shareholders in the business. They are not compulsory in Massachusetts, but...
What are the Types of Tenancy in Massachusetts?
Around 35% of Massachusetts residents rent somewhere to live. This figure is about average for the whole of the United States, although it hides differences based on age, socio-economic group and location. For example, older or retired people are more likely to have...
What happens during the Discovery Stage of a Lawsuit?
Lawsuits are civil actions taken by one party against another because of a perceived wrong against them. Many civil actions are settled without having to use a court, i.e. without having to file a lawsuit, but when the case against the defendant is strong and there...
Restraining Orders in Massachusetts
What are restraining orders? Restraining orders, also called abuse protection orders in Massachusetts, are court orders that are aimed at preventing someone from potentially harming, actually harming, or harassing someone who may or may not be in their family....
Alimony Law in Massachusetts
Alimony, also called spousal support, is a regular payment made by the better off spouse after a divorce to the less better off one. Not all divorces result in alimony being paid out. In some ways, the payment itself is a throwback to times past when many more...