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Massachusetts Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: Husband died with no will, and the wife died 2 months later without claiming anything, whose next of kin inherits what?

MASSACHUSETTS - Husband died without will and then his wife died 2 months later. The husband has no children and parents, only a sibling nor does the wife. Did the wife automatically get the inheritance, or did she need to follow a procedure to get it within some days? Does the inheritance belong... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jul 29, 2022

Were they domiciled in Massachusetts ?Did the death of husband happen after March 2012? Neither had any children? A post March 2012 death brings the Massachusetts Probate Code into the response so that if husband had no children then surviving wife would take all if no Will.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: How can dead people own a house in Massachusetts?

A house on my street was owned by a husband and wife who died 20 years ago. Their estates have been closed by the Probate Court; however, according to the town assessor's office and the registry of deeds, the house is still owned by them.

(To comment on Mr. Avery's answer, the... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 12, 2022

The Heirs of the Survivor of the Deeded Grantees probably own it as Tenants in Common. You may want to search the Title and check on the Taxes.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Massachusetts on
Q: I am living in a house that was just sold do the new owners have the right to do renovations in or outside of house
Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jul 9, 2022

Normally once a landlord leases premises the landlord cannot make changes to the leased premises without the tenant's permission. Your lease may give the landlord the right to make changes. Generally a landlord is permitted to enter leased premises to make repairs at reasonable times' on... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can a real estate seller trustee stop a sale after purchase & sale?

My wife and I made an offer on a house and signed a P&S. We discovered the property is in a trust and only trustee #1 signed the P&S. My attorney reviewed the trust and concluded only one trustee is required to sign. She conferred with the bank’s attorney and he came to the same... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jun 6, 2022

This is not the type of straightforward question well suited to a question and answer online forum. It appears there are issues with the trust and the trustees' powers that are specific to this situation. In other words, there is no standard answer to your question. I strongly suggest you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: What does "full possession of the premises" mean in an MA real estate contract?

To us, "full possession of the premises" means we get the keys and can occupy the house. Our attorney said it just means the seller must move out and not reenter. How would one have full possession with no keys to the house?

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jun 6, 2022

The phrase refers to the fact that you have a legal right to possession and the seller no longer has such a right. It does not address the practical issue of how physically you enter the property. Getting you the keys is something the real estate broker usually deals with.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Cannot get ex tenant to pay rent, owe's me for 8 months. Yell's at me for asking. I have no money left. I am a disabled

The bad thing is he is my Son . I pay the Taxes,water, and Ins. He suppose to maintain the lawn but that is also a disaster. He made the place look so bad that I can't sell the property for a good price. And things look bad since he moved in. The first year he paid for three months then... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on May 25, 2022

If he had a lease and stayed over the expiration he is still a tenant and the eviction process called summary process is needed. You can contact an attorney who specifically handles landlord tenant matters and if son is disabled this would especially be advisable.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: MA residents, mom willed CT RE to me and sister, estate probated in MA, but no deed to us. To sell how do we show title?

Sister was Executor, I was Successor, but sister probated and closed in 2006. Sister has now died and I want to sell property. How do I show title to the property?

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on May 19, 2022

Sorry for your loss. Was your Mom a CT resident or a MA resident? If this is a Massachusetts Probate of estate, then an Ancillary type proceeding would need to be brought in CT and you should be in contact with a CT Probate attorney ASAP.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Banking for Massachusetts on
Q: Regarding an indorsement of a promissory note, does the "no space" test only apply to the originally printed side?

Does the "no space" test include using the backside of the original promissory note for an indorsement if that side of the paper is blank? Is there a citation for the actual wording of the "no space" test?

A "no space" test is showing that there is no room on... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on May 9, 2022

Please explain what you mean by the "no space" test.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: MA superior Ct has judged mortgage company to be in default, but did not declare the note void. can I sue for damages?

Mortgage co was unreachable from 2018 to 2022. If homeowner defaults, homeowner loses house. But if bank defaults, no penalty? Is there any recourse in addition to MGL 183 section 54D?

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Apr 14, 2022

If this is a default in the nature of a failure to Answer a duly served Complaint, the case would proceed to assessment of damages. However, it is common that a Motion to Remove Default would be filed at some point by the defendant.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: My mother-in-law wants me to go on the deed and then refinance the house we rent from her. I would be 1% on the deed.

If this is able to be done - How long do I have to be on the deed before I can do the refinancing? She wants me to be the only one on the refinancing but she will still retain 99% ownership of the house. Is this able to be done? We live in Massachusetts.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Mar 14, 2022

There is a difference between can you do something or should you do something. If you refinance in your name( even along with her) you will be liable on this entire mortgage yourself to the full extent of it as mortgage notes generally have joint and several liability not based on the percentage of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: If I want to create a common driveway

I have 3 ANR lots. I want to sell the lots, but two lots are restricted by topography such that I can't put driveways on each lot. The Town zoning bylaw doesn't address common drives at all. Are they then allowed by right? There are several others in the Town already. The lots are in MAssachusetts

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 8, 2022

Hire a competent attorney to draft and record a Joint and Mutual Use Easement that encumbers all three lots. It would be better to survey the Joint Easement and use that legal description, but it is not required.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can I be evicted for only owing January's rent? I just got a 14 day notice. I don't owe any rent except for January's.

Today is only the 27th so how is my landlord able to evict me. And he is only did this because I told him I wanted things fixed and I was not going to pay rent until they are fixed. My electric and gas is connected to his illegal apartment on the 3rd floor. The 1st floor is 122 and my apartment is... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jan 28, 2022

This is really a Landlord tenant issue ( an area of legal practice specialization )and not strictly a real estate question. It sounds like you have defenses to non-payment of rent due to non-repair and that there are significant health and building code violations where the City of Town should be... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I owe real state taxes for the city of Methuen MA Can I set up a payment plan are there any options

The total real state taxes with fees and penalties is around 30000, can a payment plan be in placed so I don’t loose my home and also be on time with my current tax bill

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jan 7, 2022

Contact the tax collector, explain your situation, and see if you can arrive at a payment plan.

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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can a deal be made with the city of Methuen if you owe taxes on real state

I was having a rough couple years domestic violence, health ,unfortunately , I owe real state taxes for the city of Methuen they want to foreclose on my property can I make a payment plan is there anything I can do , my situation has change and I’m able to pay the taxes moving forward and setting... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jan 7, 2022

Contact the tax collector, explain theyour situation, and see if you can arrive at a payment plan.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: my grandparents left my uncle and mother property in NH. My mother recently passed away and I have a court date that m

he wants me to have no rights. i'm not on the will but guess have rights to half the property. is that true

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jan 6, 2022

There is not enough information to truly answer your question other than to say that the Will is an important instrument which could well address the issue of the interest in real estate and it is also unclear where your mother was a resident- Massachusetts? New Hampshire? as the State of her... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can I sue neighbor for illegal activities bringing down home value?

Massachusetts absentee neighbor runs illegal boarding house. Has been cited by town several times but continues activities. I’m unable to sell home because buyers specifically mention the eyesore and illegal activity next door. Can I sue?

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Jan 3, 2022

Sounds to me like you may have something to go on. I would find a qualified attorney to explore your course of action in more detail.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: If a quitclaim deed is altered before filing(crossed things out& wrote in something different)does it void the document?

I can email a copy of the quitclaim deed in question. I'm hoping the 'edits' that were made by grantee without my knowledge will void the document altogether.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Dec 31, 2021

Insignificant edits would normally not be a problem, but if there are truly changes made in the essence of the grant, then there could be a cause of action . Sometimes the Registry of Deeds will not accept a document which is changed for recording. Was the deed recorded?

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: If my mortgage is in default, can I sell part of my land?

We are back $5,000 and have an offer of $25,000 for a part of our land

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Nov 8, 2021

You would have to obtain the permission of your current mortgage holder. They may not be willing to accept a partial payment in exchange for a release of part of the mortgaged land, and they certainly will not give a release unless you are current on the mortgage payments. They also might want to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I own a rental property which only has master insurance. An adjoining unit had a water leak that caused damage to my

unit. The other unit insurance adjuster has said that there is no negligence on the owner of the unit so no liability reimbursement required. The water clearly came from the other unit. Do I have a legal recourse here to sue for damages? Thank you.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Oct 27, 2021

This is really more of an insurance issue than a real estate question. Some people hire independent adjusters to deal with claims for property damage.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Massachusetts on
Q: My home was shot up with me and my kids in side. Then 3 days later it happen again but we were not in the house the

Second time. I provide a written letter on how we were told by the police to not go back and it was unsafe. Now they are trying to collect for un paid rent and damages from the bullets and the condition of the home. Can I appeal due to General Rules

Section 8-112 - Termination of tenancy... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Oct 22, 2021

You need Landlord Tenant counsel rather than real estate counsel.

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