In 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that same sex marriages were legal in the Commonwealth. The landmark decision in Goodridge v. Massachusetts Department of Public Health made same-sex …
It’s not exactly a recent phenomenon, but a transaction known as the sale-leaseback is becoming an increasingly popular option for businesses looking to raise capital. As the name suggests, the …
It’s that time of year again! Most everyone is preparing for the holidays and time is at a premium. Still, the savvy taxpayer will make room in their overstuffed holiday …
Some people consider their pets to be members of their family. Other people have made a career out of breeding, raising and/or sheltering animals. When animal owners pass away, if …
Understanding an employee’s rights under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in conjunction with the Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act (MMLA) can be difficult territory to navigate. A wrong turn for …
Over the course of the last several years, there has been an upward trend in the misclassification of employees as independent contractors. While such a classification may have benefits to …
When an aging parent needs assistance to live at home, many children opt to provide the care personally. Often, the parent will not agree to hire health care professionals to …
Prior to the recent downturn in the real estate market and turmoil in the sub-prime lending industry, a pre-foreclosure workout was extremely rare. Historically, because the housing market usually increased …
Terminally ill people often add advanced directives to their Health Proxies to inform medical personnel about what kind of care they want for themselves in medical emergencies and at different …
“But it’s just not fair!” Estate planning lawyers often hear this protest from a potential client who wishes to object to a loved one’s will on the grounds that they …
All people, regardless of age or infirmity, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Being safe from physical, emotional and financial harm is a basic human right. Each year …
Current mortgage foreclosure statistics are harsh. Nationally, delinquency rates for first mortgages rose to 3.98 percent in June from 3.56 in April and a low of 3.08 in July 2005. …
It’s called the Day of Caring, and the name says it all. The program was started in 1994 by the United Way of Pioneer Valley to involve area businesses and …
There can be no question that more and more retirees are starting their own small businesses. In fact, according to a 2003 AARP survey, about 15% of baby boomers expect …
The facts appear overwhelming. The housing market is continuing to cool, interest rates are slowly increasing and foreclosure rates are reaching record numbers. In fact, the Mortgage Brokers Association recently …
Formerly known as reverse annuity mortgages, reverse mortgages are becoming more and more common in today’s estate planning and retirement planning scenarios. The reverse mortgage, a mortgage where homeowners convert …
Commercial leases are not merely contracts, but often roadmaps to both a landlord’s and a tenant’s future business plan for a particular premises. Both parties should take ample time to …
It is common for businesses to need conventional financing from time to time for continued growth and maybe even ultimate survival in the marketplace. What, if anything, can a small …
If you’re like most retired people, the single largest asset you have is your home. Since it may be paid for or possibly subject to a small home equity loan, …
Identity theft occurs when someone appropriates your personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft. Many people have fallen victim to identity thieves, and the number of victims …
As home improvement construction begins to slow, contractors may turn to public works projects or state funded contracts in order to keep working. But contractors must maintain strict compliance with …
Many of us collect “things” – some of them more valuable than the rest combined. We appreciate the beauty of things, and we take pride in owning them. We enjoy …
The amount of planning that is necessary when starting a new family or planning for another addition to a household is overwhelming. Once people have a new baby, they seem …
Starting July 1, 2007, the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law takes full effect, and all businesses will have to comply with it. The law affects various size businesses in different …
If you’re the parent of a disabled child, you’re probably concerned with the uncertainty of your child’s financial future and the realization that you will not always be around to …
Hospice care is a program that exists for end of life situations. Not only do hospice caregivers provide good medical and physical care, but also significant palliative (pain relief) therapy …
Unfortunately, most business owners fail to plan for the continued operation of their business should they become incapacitated or die. Only 30% of family-run companies today succeed into the second …
As people live longer and the cost of nursing home care increases, insurance agents and estate planners are sounding the call that, for many, purchasing long-term care insurance is a …
Although it may come as a surprise to most people, an employer can be held liable for an assault committed by his employee. Negligent hiring or negligent retention of an …
Choosing an attorney to represent you in any legal matter can be an especially daunting task. Should you rely on advertising you might have seen in the local media or …
However unpleasant it may be to contemplate and prepare for our inevitable departure, few of us intend to leave a mess for our heirs after we are gone. Nevertheless, despite …
Most, if not all, of your employees these days have cellular phones, and most employees regard them as one of life’s conveniences and a communication staple. Parents are more comfortable …
Recent case law suggests that employers may be liable for the conduct of their employees when they use the company’s email and Internet connection. For example, you may be liable …
Conducting a “like-kind” exchange under Internal Revenue Code section 1031 is one of the few legitimate tax shelters available to individuals, corporations and other business entities engaging in the disposition …
Families with a member who has special needs understand that mainstream solutions are not enough to solve everyday issues that often arise. Likewise, mainstream estate planning is insufficient to address …
As you may have already heard or read, a Durable Power of Attorney (DPA) is a very important and beneficial document to have available, not only as you age, but …
When a business has been built up by its founders over many years, how can it guaranty survival of the loss of one or more shareholders? There are critical interests …
Imagine that when you close your eyes tonight, they never reopen. Do you have a Will? Did you have a Will drafted, but never sign it? Regardless of your answer …
Many people believe that they should establish a Revocable Trust in order to facilitate the administration of their estate upon their passing. In many cases, a Will, or Will substitutes, …
The workplace is an ever-evolving environment that continues to grow and shift from generation to generation. As corporate culture continues to change, the levels of acceptable conduct also evolve. What …
