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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can a buyer legally back out of a purchase and sale agreement if an error exists in the listing?

Both myself and the seller have signed the P&S agreement, and I have submitted the deposit check. The home is in a rural area, and the listing states cable internet is available. I just found out there is no high speed Internet available in the area. Can I legally back out of the deal and... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jun 24, 2019

If the listing said cable internet is available and cable internet is available, the listing is not in error. The listing does not say high speed internet access, so if that is what you need, the listing cannot form a basis for your getting out of the deal.

Nevertheless, I suggest you...
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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Massachusetts on
Q: After receiving money from a house sale do i have to pay taxes on it in april or can i gift it to my wife?

My grandparents house was sold and it will be split 5 ways. After taxes and fees ill receive 42,800, will i have to pay taxes at the end of the year for it or can i gift it to my wife or use most of it as a down payment for my first house ?

If i do have to pay taxes how do i figure out... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jun 7, 2019

The answer to your questions requires more time and expertise than an online forum like this can provide. You really need to consult with a tax professional like a CPA on this. It will be well worth the money you spend in fees to them.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can I cede a piece of my property to the town?

My home (which I've owned 3 years) includes 3 parcels, each taxed separately: the largest, which includes the house; a small strip acquired from a neighbor to add a driveway; and - the questionable piece - is the alley behind the house. I own the part behind my house to the center of the... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on May 17, 2019

You can give it to them, but they have to accept it. Call the town, like the town manager or the selectmen's office, and discuss it.

You can also stop paying taxes on it. The town will eventually take it for nonpayment of taxes. However, it is possible you remain personally liable...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: My mother died back in 2013. I get a bill for a loan monthly from a bank with the house that she left me as collateral.

Am I responsible to pay this bill

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Apr 29, 2019

If you did not sign the promissory note to the bank you are not personally responsible for the payments. If the collateral document securing the loan is a mortgage, failure to make the payments will give the bank a right to foreclose the mortgage.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Hello, would you be able to tell me if a statement of condition has to be completed at every lease renewal in MA?

a statement of condition has been completed at start of tenancy. This is for renewal of the lease, same apartment, same tenant.

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Apr 18, 2019

Maybe it is required, maybe it isn't, but I can't think why you would not get one. If the tenant has damaged the unit or there is usual wear and tear you should have that documented to protect yourself. You don't want the tenant using the condition statement from the prior tenancy as... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I'm buying my In laws house and my husband will be on the title but not the loan, do I still need a title 5 inspection?
Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Apr 17, 2019

The DEP website says:

When you DON'T need an inspection

Transfers between certain family members: Title 5 does not require a system inspection if the transfer is of residential real property, and is between the following relationships:

Between current spouses;...
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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Our drinking well is on a property that was sold. Does the person who bought the land need to drill us a new well?

What if we don't want a new well and want to keep the one we have on his property?

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Apr 12, 2019

If the well was on your property and you sold the land, you should have made some provision for retaining an interest in that land, like an easement, so you can keep using the well. If you did not, there may be an issue with the current owner because if you have no easement, you may not have a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: A house intrust is in major disrepair whose responsible for the repairs?

The person that is living in the house is one of the beneficiaries.

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Mar 22, 2019

The terms of the trust at issue spell out the trustee's duties and responsibilities. Trustees are generally considered responsible for upkeep and maintenance of the property, but are not usually required to expend personal funds to do so. Funds for upkeep and maintenance are usually expected... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Massachusetts on
Q: Can I get my condo Title revised so that it changes the parking spot that goes with the unit? If so, how do I do this?

Background: I recently discovered that my condo unit’s first tenant had switched parking spaces with a tenant on the opposite side the their building. This gave each party a spot right outside their own unit. When I got a new tenant they continued with that spot. My current tenant wants to buy... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Mar 4, 2019

Yes. If parking spaces in your condo. are deeded, you would have to trade deeds with the other unit/parking space owner. Your could also give each other reciprocal easements or licenses. If parking spaces are assigned by the condo. you might be able to get the board of trustees to switch... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Child Support for Massachusetts on
Q: Can child support garnish both of my full-time jobs paychecks if I'm paying in full from the first jobs paycheck
Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Feb 20, 2019

If you are paying all that is required of you from one paycheck, it does not make sense that more money would be taken out of your second paycheck. For example, if your total pay from one job equaled the amount you are currently being paid from your two jobs, and you were paying the total amount... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure for Massachusetts on
Q: we are currently in foreclosure, but have not heard from the atty representing the bank for several weeks. Can we sell ?

Or should we declare bankruptcy (Chapt 13)? If we do, will we be allowed to sell the property ? Obviously, we do not want to lose the house. I am 71, my spouse is 66, & we have resided here for 26 years. We are seeking pro bono help if possible.Thank you...

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Feb 10, 2019

The attorney general and banking commissioner both have foreclosure units. You should contact them and legal services. If you are willing to sell the house, you may be able to work something out with the bank's attorney to get time to do so.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Why is assessment of damages hearing brought under rule 55b(2) if there has been no default?

Relates to Condominium Association seeking lien.

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jan 8, 2019

The condo. association cannot hold a Rule 55(b)(2) assessment of damages hearing unless a default has entered. Most condo. association attorneys I know are diligent about complying with procedural rules for entry of default in condo. association lien collection cases. Is it possible you missed the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Small Claims and Collections for Massachusetts on
Q: I am being sued for credit debt from midland funding ,it is a old sears account,I would like to know what steps to
Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Dec 14, 2018

There are extensive requirements for debt collectors seeking payment for old debts. A primer on consumer's rights in old debt collections is beyond the scope of an online question forum like this one. Also, the law in New York is likely different from that in Massachusetts. I have been... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Will my property taxes increase if I add heat to a previously unconditioned outbuilding on my property?
Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Dec 10, 2018

Massachusetts towns assess value annually. They calculate property values based on the market activity as well as certain property-specific attributes such as location, size, construction quality, style, and condition. These include the status of outbuildings. Factors may include the usefulness of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can I buy 3 family and legally break tenants lease due to lead in home and her children living there?

Buying 3 family home in Massachusetts. Unit one is a mother with a newborn and other young children. This unit has no lead certificate and they have signed a lease to stay until next May. Seller wants buyer to uphold lease agreements, however the current lease violates the state lead law. Will I... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Dec 6, 2018

You are likely going to face the possibility that you will have to delead the unit or the building. Online forums such as these are only useful up to a point. I strongly suggest you consult an attorney familiar with this area of the law before proceeding further.

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: My neighbor's wall tilts about an inch and a half on my property, would it be legal for me to cut it down with my tools?
Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Dec 3, 2018

I know of nothing that permits this. Destruction of another's possibly encroaching structure is always risky without specific legal sanction to do so. For example, if you are incorrect about the location of the boundary line, your neighbor will have a right to sue you for destroying the fence... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Do gift certs expire in Mass?
Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Nov 24, 2018

It has to have a term of at least seven years. It has to have the issuance date and the expiration date on it. If it has no expiration date, it is good indefinitely. This applies to electronic cards. There are websites with more specifics, I suggest you check them to make sure whatever you have... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I have some old debt from 2008 - can a collector garnish my wages?
Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Nov 6, 2018

In order to obtain a wage attachment, the creditor must have a judgment against you. The creditor is required to file a new lawsuit based on the judgment and appear before a judge to ask permission for a wage attachment. The creditor is required to give you written notice of the time date and place... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Massachusetts on
Q: State MA - Servicer refuses full payment to cure loan default, Wired payment to their attorney, He sends personal check

This is regarding stopping a foreclosure. the funds are on hand to bring the loan current but the Servicer and their Attorneys are misleading my elderly mother. they are using dirty tricks to delay or even block her from curing her loan, The servicers attorneys were contacted and on 3 occasions... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Aug 2, 2018

Call the attorney general's office or the Massachusetts banking commissioner. Both have units that deal with this type of behavior.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Massachusetts on
Q: Can a court take my social security disability for a debt judgement. Even if it my only source of income
Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jul 30, 2018

Unless the debts sought to be collected are child support, federal taxes or student loan repayments you owe, the answer is no. The issue is for you to be proactive, since the court may give the creditor a bank account attachment or order you to make payments because they are unaware your income or... View More

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