As a property owner in Massachusetts, it is essential to understand your rights and options when it comes to managing your real estate holdings. One legal tool that can be used to resolve disputes over shared ownership of property is a petition to partition. We will explain what a petition to partition is, how it […]
Accidents happen, especially when winter brings snow and ice—but when accidents happen in a rented property, the question of who is responsible for clearing walkways, pathways, and exits can have serious financial implications for rental property owners. What the Law Says About Landlords’ Snow Removal Responsibilities The Code of Massachusetts Regulations states, with regard to […]
Individuals who are married, living together, have a child together, or have been in a substantive dating or engagement relationship can request an a 209A Order in Massachusetts, also known as the abuse prevention law which allows victims to ask for a court order to protect them. This is sometimes also referred to as an […]
Following a divorce, life moves forward. New careers begin, moves are made, new relationships may form. Looking at the changing circumstances in your and your ex-spouse’s life, you may wonder if the spousal support payments you are still making are still appropriately valued. Defining Spousal Support Spousal support is also known as alimony. If ordered […]
You know your business better than anyone else: whether that be dog-walking, catering, or custom-made crocheted goods. But when it comes to giving your business the best legal footing, you may feel a little lost. In this article, we will review a few business structures available to Massachusetts entrepreneurs and small business owners. Each has […]
A non-biological, non-adoptive parent who has acted in a parental role may be considered a de facto parent. As defined by the Massachusetts courts, a de facto parent is “one who has no biological relation to the child but has participated in the child’s life as a member of the child’s family. The de facto […]
What Is a Deed? While the ‘title’ to a property is the abstract concept of rightful ownership, a deed is a legal document recognizing an individual’s, individuals’, or legal entity’s ownership of a property. A deed will include a detailed description of the property, including property lines, and name the seller (grantor) and buyer (grantee). […]
What to Do When Probate Meets Civil Litigation Civil litigation and the probate process: both can potentially drag out for months, if not years; both cost those involved dearly in both financial and emotional terms; both can be made less likely, or less painful, by careful planning and consultation with skilled legal representation. Yet, even […]
In the Balance Between Safety and Privacy, Federal and State Laws Favor Safety As the world enters a “new normal”—a society which is not quite post-pandemic, but which seems to be through the worst of COVID-19—business owners face the new challenge of protecting employees and customers now that vaccines are widely available, and masks are […]
As part of the divorce process, both parties are required to complete a financial disclosure. This ensures both parties have a complete picture regarding finances. The financial disclosure includes details about all assets and compensation, including and Restricted Stock Units (RSU) grants. Before understanding how RSUs are divided in a divorce, let’s review a few […]
