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Massachusetts Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Massachusetts on
Q: What to expect when leaving the US after overstaying a visa?
Carlo Franco L. Borja
Carlo Franco L. Borja
answered on Aug 23, 2023

Overstaying for more than 180 days but less than one year would subject one to a 3 year bar from returning to the US. Overstaying for 1 year or more would subject one to a 10 year bar from returning to the US.

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Massachusetts on
Q: I was in a multi car accident. The person that caused it got away, hit and run. Do I need a lawyer for my injuries?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 23, 2023

Hiring an attorney is an individual decision, and that's up to you. What you can do is try to arrange a no obligation/free initial consult with a law firm. That way an attorney could outline your rights and options to help you decide. No one can judge a claim based on a few brief lines in a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Massachusetts on
Q: I was in a multi car accident. The person that caused it got away, hit and run. Do I need a lawyer for my injuries?
Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Aug 22, 2023

While you are certainly not required to have an attorney, an attorney who works representing car accident Plaintiff's knows the law and how to deal with insurance companies effectively.

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Does the FBI use investigative drugs in court?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 22, 2023

In Massachusetts and throughout the United States, law enforcement agencies like the FBI can use investigative techniques and tools, including drugs, during their investigations. However, the use of investigative drugs as evidence in court can be subject to legal regulations and procedures.

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Does the FBI use investigative drugs in court?
Thomas Shack III
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answered on Aug 22, 2023

I agree with Atty. Claus. The use of investigative drugs by law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are subject to specific regulations and guidelines designed to ensure that the use does not violate individual constitutional and/or due process rights.

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Is there anyone else I should contact or any legal recourse?

I’ll start with this is taking place in Massachusetts. A former tenant received mail in June from an attorney’s office. I marked the mail, return to sender and sent a separate certified letter advising the person no longer lived at my home. Last week a mailing for the tenant came in from the... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Aug 20, 2023

If no relief is being sought against you, this is of no issue to you. The attorney's acts may be incorrect, ignorant or unfair but you have no right to redress against him. You may want to send the former tenant (if you know where he is) the letters you sent to the attorney and the court for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Municipal Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can a town in MA charge its public high school students a fee to park in a free public lot off school property?

The parking lot in question is across the street from the high school and is on town property, but not the school's. There is a fee at this lot for beach users to park there from May to August, but it's free to the public the rest of the year. However, while free and open for the general... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 18, 2023

In Massachusetts, public high schools are generally funded by taxes and state funds to ensure equal access to education. Charging students a fee to park in a free public lot off school property might raise concerns about access and legality. The state has regulations regarding student fees and... 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 Family Law for Massachusetts on
Q: What does other and further relief as the nature of Mr. Doe cause may require what does it mean?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 16, 2023

In a legal context, the phrase "other and further relief as the nature of [Name's] cause may require" is often found in legal documents, typically as part of a prayer for relief in a complaint or petition. This phrase indicates that the plaintiff (the person bringing the case to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I live in Ma. My spouse live in ga. Where should I file a divorce
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 16, 2023

Deciding where to file for divorce when you and your spouse live in different states involves considering residency requirements, jurisdictional rules, and personal factors. Typically, you would file in your current state of residence, but it's important to understand the specific residency... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: My mother passed and left $6000 in an annuity. The bank will not accept Voluntary Administration form I completed.

They said MA requires more but can't tell me what? They are looking for a TIN and Entity or Estate name. There is no estate name.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Aug 16, 2023

This is a difficult time to lose a parent, I extend my condolences. Here are a few tips:The estate name is Estate of..., which is your late mother's name. They also want you to obtain a Federal Taxpayer ID from the IRS for the Estate of your mother as the Social Security number cancels at... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: What should my grandmother do now that she's been scammed out of thousands of dollars by a "friend"?

The amount ranges from 15k to 20k. The fraudster lives in CT and my grandmother lives MA and she refuses to divulge any information.

Michael M Marques
Michael M Marques
answered on Aug 16, 2023

There are a number of options available to your grandmother. Under Massachusetts General Laws, Title II, Chap. 19A, financial exploitation is defined as "an act or omission by another person, which causes a substantial monetary or property loss to an elderly person, or causes a substantial... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Personal Injury and Public Benefits for Massachusetts on
Q: I am having a huge problem with Medicare. Despite doing everything I was told to do, I still do not have insurance.

I paid the amount of money I 'owed' , filled out and sent the paperwork (3 times) and still do not have any insurance. I am very worried now that I have missed my gynecological oncologist (had ovarian cancer treatments), much needed mammogram and colonoscopy (have Lynch Syndrome),... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 13, 2023

A Massachusetts attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry for your ordeal with the injury and cancer treatments. One option is to try to apply online - that could be quicker than the paper route. Another is to contact them and ask for a location of an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Personal Injury for Massachusetts on
Q: Is it illegal to to offer an insurance adjuster a portion of a settlement or a gift?

I am in MA, insurance adjuster is in AZ.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 11, 2023

A Massachusetts, Arizona, or Washington D.C. attorney could advise best, but your question is two days old, and I wanted to respond to your question before you took action in this regard. DON'T EVEN THINK of doing something like this. You could end your claim, get the poor claims examiner... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Traffic Tickets for Massachusetts on
Q: Does a ME60 36CFR 2.1 violation in Maine affect my record or do anything to my insurance. (Destruction/ deface of plant)

I have a new Hampshire license but the violation was issued in Maine. I live in New Hampshire.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 8, 2023

Violations of these regulations can vary in terms of impact on your driving record and insurance rates, depending on the severity of the violation and the specific circumstances.

In general, violations related to destruction or defacement of plants in national parks or other protected areas...
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Q: selling hemp / CBD products online in MASS. Does this require a MDAR license or can I operate under farmbill USDA/FDA?

region is for Massachusetts

if you read the MDAR website its really confusing in the wording when discussing the Whole sale which I know for sure they regulate. Its confusing legalese I feel like should be a really simple answer..

Thomas Shack III
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answered on Aug 8, 2023

While the Farm Bill USDA/FDA regulations provide a framework for the cultivation and sale of hemp at the federal level, it does not exempt businesses from complying with state-specific requirements. Therefore, even if you are operating under the Farm Bill USDA/FDA regulations, you may still need to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Massachusetts on
Q: If there is a bolo on your car or the person who owns the car for questioning. Can they do a felony stop ?

I already talked to investigators but they didn't remove bolo & did felony stop that lead to an arrest for contraband they found during the stop

Thomas Shack III
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answered on Aug 8, 2023

In Massachusetts, law enforcement authorities have the power to conduct a felony stop on a vehicle if they have reasonable suspicion or probable cause to believe that a felony has been committed or if there is an imminent threat to public safety. If there is a BOLO on your car or the person who... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for Massachusetts on
Q: Wife raped as teen. statue of limitations in massachusetts for sexual assault on a person who is underage & disabled?
Thomas Shack III
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answered on Aug 8, 2023

In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations for sexual assault cases, including rape, varies depending on the specific offense committed. While rape and aggravated rape of a child have no statute of limitations, indecent assault and battery generally have a 15-year statute of limitations, with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Internet Law and Juvenile Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Hi so my ex girlfriend still had access to my instagram and she went through it months after we broke up and read

through it months after we broke up and read through my messages with another girl where we talked sexually and sent it out to my parents and my job and I got fired because of it is that illegal

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 4, 2023

In Massachusetts and many other jurisdictions, unauthorized access to someone else's social media account or personal information without their consent can be considered a violation of privacy and may be illegal. This act is often referred to as "hacking" or "unauthorized access... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: Do I have to provide my employer a picture of an accident if I was a Uber passenger?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 2, 2023

A Massachusetts attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. It could be a provision included in their standard operating procedures (possibly more intended for employees who sustain accidents as a driver of a company car or their own car, that's being construed... View More

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