What You Need to Know About Probate—and Why It Matters
Planning how your assets will be distributed after you die can be an uncomfortable undertaking. But ignoring important estate planning decisions can create a headache for your beneficiaries in Probate Court once [...]
A New Massachusetts Law Makes It Easier to Get a Restraining Order—But Is It Now Too Easy?
The Massachusetts legislature has substantially expanded the scope of the law that allows judges to issue “restraining orders” against certain individuals. The original law (Chapter 209A) has been in effect since 1978, [...]
Buying a New Home? Three Key Documents You Need to Understand
Purchasing a house is an exciting and stressful experience. You have piles of paperwork and documents to deal with when you’d rather be thinking about paint colors and new furniture. A good [...]
Why You Need a Health Care Proxy and Durable Power of Attorney
When most people hear the term “estate planning,” they think about planning for the distribution of their assets after they die. But what if you become incapacitated by illness or an accident, [...]
What You Should Know About Sealing or Expunging a Criminal Record
A criminal record can have negative consequences long after your court process is over, even if you were not convicted. A criminal record can limit your employment, housing options, educational opportunities, and [...]
Own Rental Property in Worcester? What to Know About the New Rental Registry Program
Last month, the City of Worcester launched a new Rental Registry Program, with the goal of creating a comprehensive public record of all rental units in the City. News of the program [...]
You Paid Off Your Mortgage. Is It a Done Deal?
You’ve just paid off your mortgage, and you want to celebrate. Go ahead—pop the champagne! But you’re not out of the woods. You know your property is free and clear. And the [...]
Why Blended Families Need a Comprehensive Estate Plan
Gone are the days when a nuclear family was the norm in America. Blended families comprised of parents with children from previous relationships are becoming more common. According to some estimates, at [...]
You’ve Been Arrested or Received a Court Summons. What Happens at Your Arraignment?
Walking into a courthouse for your arraignment before a judge can be very intimidating, especially if you’re a newcomer to the criminal justice system. Here’s what to expect if you’ve been arrested [...]
To Ease Housing Shortage, Worcester Approves Zoning Change for ADUs
To increase affordable housing in Worcester, the City Council on December 12 amended the zoning ordinance to allow construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right. A proposed ordinance was unanimously approved [...]
