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Massachusetts Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Massachusetts on
Q: We moved from Woburn to Danvers. The Woburn owners are giving us problems. I'm 77 years old and don't know what to do

There are three issues to be addressed. The failure to present us with the Security Deposit Bank Statement identify the bank, account #, amount of deposit and interest rate. Housing law says that if the landlord does not present this to the tenant within 30 days of payment, the default rate of 5%... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Nov 5, 2024

Gather all your paperwork and consult with Greater Boston Legal Services or whatever attorney assistance program is available in your area. The security deposit statute is detailed and the landlord may have violated it entitling you to damages or at least an argument that you owe them nothing.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Family Law and Domestic Violence for Massachusetts on
Q: Hi. The person that my Brother is unhappily married to, is threatening to take a share of the property, that we

inherited from our parents, if we don't let her live in the house! She has made it clear that she plans on doing whatever she has to, to get everything she can get from us, she has told him that. If his name wasn't on the title, could she still go after us?

She has posed for... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Oct 29, 2024

It is possible your brother's wife could get his interest in the property upon his death or if he transfers his interest in the property to her. The wife's acts appear to affect him, not you, so any action against the wife would have to be initiated by him.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Massachusetts on
Q: I got a 30 day notice to quit can I just move out without giving a 30 days notice?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 30, 2024

When you receive a 30-day notice to quit, it's important to understand that this notice typically means the landlord is giving you a formal request to vacate the property. In most cases, you can move out within that 30-day period without needing to give additional notice. The landlord has... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: PLEASE HELP TRANSFERRING MY CASE FROM HOUSING COURT TO SUPERIOR COURT

My home was illegally foreclosed in 8/19/19 and then sold in an online auction in 11/15/19 while in the middle of litigation between the bank and myself. The 3rd party brought SP. Judge Winik from the start has assumed that plaintiff has the right to title. He asked me if I maintain the house by... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 27, 2024

To transfer your case from Housing Court to Superior Court, you need to file a motion to transfer jurisdiction. This motion should include a detailed explanation of why the Superior Court is the appropriate venue, emphasizing any legal or procedural errors made by the Housing Court, such as the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I have an order from a judge that states my tenant has 14 days to vacate.

The sheriffs office told me that they charge $3500 to remove him if he doesn’t leave.

That seems very expensive, especially since I’m evicting a non paying tenant.

Thank you

Phil A. Taylor
Phil A. Taylor
answered on Jan 15, 2024

I do not understand the actual question. Once you receive an execution for possession, it needs to be served and the sheriff (or constable) need to oversee the removal of the tenants personal property from the leased premise by a moving company and stored in a bonded storage facility. This is all... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Planning to close a home which was under probate The probate estate decree has spelled wrong town with correct zip code

street name and house number. Will it be a problem in future? It is just the town was wrong in the property details.

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jan 2, 2024

This is a question for your attorney, the closing attorney, or the attorney that obtained the probate sale papers. Why take the risk? Have it correctd.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: If I purchased a property with a friend and they abandoned the property 20 years ago how can I sell it?

I purchased a property 20 years ago with my boyfriend thinking we would be married. He decided against marriage and abandoned the property. I’ve been maintaining the property for 20 years and wish to sell it. All attempts to locate him have failed. How can I sell the property? How can I remove... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Dec 15, 2023

Hire a MA attorney to file suit for a Sale For Partition.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can my grandson take my house away from me?

My mother-in-law lost her husband 10 years ago. The grandson who has been living there with them rent free for over 20 years is now trying to take the house away from her. My mother-in- law is 83 years old and is alert, drives a car and manages and pays all the bills. She thinks the grandson stole... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Nov 17, 2023

If she is missing her Will she can "replace" it by doing a new one if she is competent.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: My mom and aunt where left their parents house in their Will. Can they get a mortgage on it if Will wasnt probated?

My aunt died 4 years ago. She had 3 loans on house that was paid off. My mom didn’t have money to pay it. She doesn’t know bank either. The neighbors want to buy property but mom is unsure if she still owns it or bank. Also my cousin thinks she owns half the house because it was her moms to.... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Nov 13, 2023

Because it is not clear from your description who owns the house, it is impossible to answer your question. You should gather all your paperwork and take it to a lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Does MA have a law on the timing for intent to renew/not renew an annual lease?

Does Massachusetts have any laws on the minimum or maximum number of days a tenant or landlord has to provide an intent to renew/not renew an annual lease?

I received a notice from my landlord (property management company) asking me to provide my intent to renew or not renew for a September... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Nov 13, 2023

There are no statutes requiring that a lease contain a period during which advance notice of renewal or non-renewal of the lease be given.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Hi. Can my partner quitclaim deed his property to me or change it to joint tenancy? He has a mortgage in the property.

Thank you in advance

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Nov 1, 2023

Generally mortgages have terms that a transfer of the property can calls the promissory note in or due to be paid, called a "due on sale " clause, but the owner can contact the mortgage holder and inquire about adding you as an owner and their preferred mechanism to do so with regard to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Civil Litigation for Massachusetts on
Q: Land Dispute in a Land Court, What defenses do I have to oppose a motion to impose fee? Which law supports my defenses?

I'm inquiring about MA rule of law on a motion to sanction or fee impose on a defendant. This is land court, land dispute, and contempt proceeding. I was sued for a prescriptive and adverse possession easement in a planned community. The Plaintiff claims that I have violated the order and... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Oct 11, 2023

You will need to file an Response denying the allegations. Get ready for the hearing with any witnesses and/or evidence of your obeying the Order verbatim. I recommend hiring a MA attorney as incarceration might be a possibility.

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law, Real Estate Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: My brother missed a court hearing in Massachusetts and he was placed in receivership. He was never got the letter.

How does he appeal the decision?

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 21, 2023

In Massachusetts, if your brother missed a court hearing and was subsequently placed in receivership, but never received the letter notifying him of the hearing, he should consider seeking legal advice as soon as possible for the specific steps to take in his situation. Generally, he might be able... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: Does Massachusetts use an Executor's Deed or a Deed of Distribution to transfer real estate bequeathed under a will?

If the will was probated outside of Massachusetts (or internationally), do additional steps need to be taken in Massachusetts before submitting the new deed and probate documents to the Registry Office?

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Sep 21, 2023

There would be an Ancillary proceeding usually since Massachusetts real estate was involved apparently from what is understood of the question posed.

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: I was served a Summons in a Civil Action by my deceased parents mortgage company. What specialized attorney should Icall

My brother and I do not want this house. It had a mortgage on it. Both parents are deceased. I called my probate attorney in the county the house is in and because it the document we were served is for the United States District Court in Northern District of Texas, he does not handle federal (?)... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Aug 23, 2023

I suggest you ask the probate attorney to give you his thoughts on what relief the plaintiff bank is seeking in the complaint. He/she should be able to do that just by reading it. Then you can start looking around for an attorney who handles that sort of case. I represent lenders in foreclosures... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: If a quitclaim to add spouse to the title of the house is not registered, do I still need his signature to sell?

I am married, but the house and mortgage are in my name only. If I add my spouse to the title through a quitclaim deed but don't register it, would the spouse be a legal co-owner of the house? If I die, how would the unregistered quitclaim affect the spouse's ownership of the property?

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Aug 18, 2023

If you convey property to another, whether you record the deed or not, the grantee owns the property and in order to convey to a third party, both of you must sign the deed. How the property is disposed on your death depends on how you and the grantee take title. If you convey to the grantee as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: My ex has end stage dementia-I am his POA/HCP-hold mortgage on 1/2 house he shares-Can I get lieu deed before he dies?

I have never been paid any interest & want to keep family property safe. I have already paid off one other foreclosure on the property to keep it safe. It is shared (TIC) with his niece. I do not want to force sale of the property when he dies to get my money, so would like to deal with this... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Aug 1, 2023

So I understand correctly, your ex owns the house as tenants in common with his niece and you have a mortgage on his interest in the property only. You propose to accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure of his interest in the house. Following such a transfer, you will be tenants in common with the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I am a homeowner living in Marlborough, MA in Middlesex County . My parents(now both deceased) bought the home in 1965.

In 1994 we had a detached garage built on our property. Our new neighbors told me they were going to have their property surveyed. They did, and according to their surveyors, a corner of our garage is encroaching their property by one foot. Nothing further has developed either by them or by me. My... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jul 13, 2023

To claim adverse possession you would need an adjudication of same from the Land Court and should involve real estate counsel in order for good title to your property to be passed, unless you want to adhere to the official meter and bounds as stated in the Deed and remove the garage or offending... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Beneficiary of a Trust . Trust being challenged to change beneficiaries other party claims person who passed wasnt well

I was not present when the Trust was signed did not know i was a beneficiary but a family member was present witnessed this as Trustee and the settlor signed it . If for some odd reason this doesnt go in my favor do I have a lawsuit against the attorney who notarized the Trust as a benificary.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jul 12, 2023

Is the Settlor lacking competence or under duress or undue influence in the transfer into Trust? These are the issues.

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