A 1031 tax-free exchange, also known as a “like-kind exchange,” is a powerful tool for real estate investors who want to defer capital gains taxes when selling and purchasing investment properties. This tax provision, governed by Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), allows property owners to reinvest the proceeds from the sale of […]
In Massachusetts, homeowners are offered a significant protective measure against certain types of creditors through the filing of a Declaration of Homestead. Massachusetts real estate law recognizes this declaration as a way to safeguard the equity in your primary residence. Benefits of a Homestead The Declaration of Homestead in Massachusetts protects up to $500,000 of […]
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 […]
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). […]
Believing Before Seeing? How You Can Handle Home Improvement Contractor Payment Disputes Home Is Where the Legal Liability Is As the old saying goes, a man’s home is his castle—or a woman’s home is her castle, as the case may be. A home is also the largest single investment most of us will ever make […]
Under Massachusetts law, no one can be forced to own property against their will. It’s not uncommon for unmarried couples to purchase a home together. However, when couples decide to break up and only one party wants to sell the property, legal actions can be taken. When one party refuses to sell, the party wanting […]
Know Before You Buy When buying a home, especially if this is your first time, you may feel overwhelmed by all the new terms entering your vocabulary, terms which seem interchangeable to you but may have very different legal meanings. This is perfectly normal. In this article, we will set out for you the difference […]
Believing Before Seeing? How You Can Handle Home Improvement Contractor Payment Disputes Home Is Where the Legal Liability Is As the old saying goes, a man’s home is his castle—or a woman’s home is her castle, as the case may be. A home is also the largest single investment most of us will ever make […]
Protecting Your Home As the saying goes, your home is your castle. It is also the largest asset that many will ever own. In recognition of this, the Massachusetts Homestead Protection Law, passed in 2011, updated existing parts of the Massachusetts General Code to expand and clarify the protections that homeowners in the Commonwealth have […]
