Whether you have trees growing in your own property, or your neighbors have trees close to your boundary, or there are trees in a public space close to your own home, there is always potential for damage from falling trees or branches. As a property owner it is...
Understanding Guardianship & Conservatorship in Massachusetts
When someone becomes incapable of looking after their health and other aspects of their own life, such as their estate and finances, the Massachusetts Probate and Family court may appoint a responsible person or persons to look after their needs. This typically may...
Insurance Coverage for Damage Caused by Trees in Massachusetts
Trees can add to the charm of a property. They can provide shade, add to the property’s value, and can provide nuts or fruit in season or a place for kids to hide or build a tree house. Trees can also cause damage when branches fall off or the tree is uprooted in a...
Changes to Massachusetts Landlord-Tenant Laws during 2023
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office (AGO) earlier this year released its annual report on consumer complaints. For the first time, the report had more complaints concerning rental housing in the state than complaints against used car dealers. The difference...
Divorce and Real Estate in Massachusetts
The division of marital assets can be a thorny issue when contemplating a divorce, and often the thorniest issue of all is who gets the family home? After all, if the value of your home has been on the rise lately because of its location, its asset value is likely to...
Property Boundaries in Dispute in Massachusetts
If you are considering buying or selling a property in Massachusetts, there is a myriad of things to consider. One aspect of buying a property that is often overlooked is the property boundary. Sellers may think that they know the boundary lines well and in many cases...
The Role of Home Inspection in Real Estate in Massachusetts
There is no law or regulation in Massachusetts which requires home owners to have their homes inspected before putting them on the market and no law or rule which requires prospective buyers to have a home inspection before sealing a deal on buying a property. It is...
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,...
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...
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...
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 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...
Making a Valid Will and Three Estate Planning Tools in Massachusetts
There is only one thing more important than making a Will in Massachusetts - it is making a valid Will. There are different sets of legal requirements for a Will to be valid in Massachusetts and they include: Capacity (such as age, soundness of mind, the appointment...
Common Residential Home After-Purchase Problems in MA
How do you know whether a home you buy not have any major defects, apart from what the seller has already stated before the sale? The answer is to engage a competent professional inspector who assesses the state of the home and provides a realistic valuation as well...
What is the Difference Between a Title and a Deed in Massachusetts?
New homeowners or those individuals and couples who are aspiring homeowners in Massachusetts are often confused about terms used in real estate and the process of purchasing and selling property. Two typically confusing terms are “title” and “deed”. This blog will...
What Does “Under Seal” Mean?
What is a “seal?” Seals have been around for hundreds of years, but their purpose has changed a lot during that time. The term “under seal” for instance, has little in common with the main reason for using a physical seal in the past. But what actually is a seal? The...