Confront Financial Hardships after Divorce
Once divorced, people should become accustomed to fewer financial resources. The first step on the road to adjustment should be reviewing cash flow, expenses and reserves. Few money management essentials like preparing and maintaining a budget help the divorced live within their means. Adjust to a more frugal lifestyle by limiting the use of your […]
Massachusetts Property Exempt From Seizure
On January 7, 2011, Governor Patrick signed into law legislation updating the personal property exemptions for debt collection. The new law increases the value of property, earnings and savings exempt from seizure during debt collection. The law replaces an antiquated version that exempted from seizure things like: $700 of equity in an automobile; and two cows, twelve […]
The Massachusetts Homestead Law – 2011
On December 17, 2010, a new Homestead Law was signed by the Governor in Massachusetts. This version of the Homestead Law seeks to resolve a number of issues that arose over the years regarding the prior version of the statute and in addition new benefits are provided.To understand the provisions of the new law it is […]
Massachusetts Automobile Accidents
I recently settled a Massachusetts automobile personal injury case. In evaluating any such case it is important to examine the vital components: liability, damages and insurance coverage. Liability is responsibility for causing the accident. The question is whether someone failed to act with due care as a reasonable person would have acted, thereby causing […]
Death on the Job
Most people realize that when an injury occurs in the course of their employment Worker’s Compensation will pay their medical bills, compensate them for lost wages lost due to a resulting inability to work, and may compensate them for loss of function of body parts and scarring on some body parts. What if the […]
Children’s Bank Accounts and 529 Savings Plans in Bankruptcy
Debtors filing Massachusetts Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases are frequently concerned about their children’s bank accounts and 529 college education savings plans. The question is whether these assets must be listed in the parent’s bankruptcy filing. For bank accounts, it depends on how the bank account was opened. If the bank account […]
Bankruptcy and After Foreclosure
When a debtor files a Massachusetts Chapter 7 bankruptcy there is an automatic stay that stops most collection actions, including foreclosure and eviction proceedings. Notwithstanding, the bankruptcy will protect the debtor for only a short time. Holders of mortgages that are delinquent may file motions for relief from the stay for the purpose of […]
To Buy or Not to Buy Owner’s Title Insurance?: That is the Question!
I’m often asked whether a buyer of Massachusetts real estate should spend the money to purchase owner’s title insurance on their new home. This is a type of insurance policy protecting a homeowner when problems arise regarding their rights of ownership in their real estate. My response is the answer often lies in how […]
I Surrender!
When a debtor files a Massachusetts Chapter 7 bankruptcy case or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case their intention as to property must be stated. If the debtor does not wish to attempt to keep property an intention to surrender the property is stated. If a debtor states an intention to surrender, the property does not […]
Showtime
I want to give the subsribers to my blog advanced notice that William DiAntonio of Dollarbill911 will partcipate in the radio show “Money Matters with Scottie McCall” to be broadcast on WBNW AM 1120, WESO 970 and WPLM AM 1390, Friday, January 29, 2010 at 5:00PM. Bill will discuss elimination and control of debt, credit […]
Myths In The Practice of Bankruptcy Law
Myth 1 The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA) eliminated the right to file chapter 7 bankruptcy which is the discharge of debt without repayment while retaining assets. False, False, False. I file as many chapter 7 cases now as I did prior to BAPCPA. BAPCPA did increase the time involvement […]
Bad Things Happen to Good People
Last week I met an attorney I had been introduced to for lunch. I knew little about his Massachusetts personal injury practice and wanted to learn more. I hoped he wanted to learn about my diverse law practice. During lunch he noted that the real estate market is rather slow and my Massachusetts real estate […]
How to Ruin a Good Bankruptcy Case
Over the past year, I’ve encountered a good number of clients who had bankruptcy cases that would have had no issues, until they decided to unilaterally take financial action without the advice and consent of a Massachusetts bankruptcy attorney. In taking their unilateral action they often badly damaged or substantially delayed their potential Chapter 7 […]
How to Pay for Bankruptcy When You are Broke
A client visited my office yesterday to discuss filing a MA bankruptcy case. He had no savings and very little money in his checking account. The client had a 401k with over $25,000. He had numerous credit card bills with balances totaling over $40,000 with regular monthly payments over$1,000. He had a wife and child […]
You’ve Been Certified!
<div class=”hs-migrated-cms-post”> <p>Purchasers of <a class=”” href=”https://davelima.com/practice-areas/massachusetts-real-estate-law/”>Massachusetts real estate</a> which is improved by a one to four family home they will occupy and which is financed with a purchase money mortgage are entitled to a Certification of the real estate title by the lender’s attorney. Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 93, Section 70 requires the lender’s […]
You’ve Been Certified!
Purchasers of Massachusetts real estate which is improved by a one to four family home they will occupy and which is financed with a purchase money mortgage are entitled to a Certification of the real estate title by the lender’s attorney. Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 93, Section 70 requires the lender’s attorney to examine the […]
Have you had your title checkup recently?
Many people often visit their physician annually for a checkup. These visits are preventative and help disclose health issues early when they can often be most easily treated. We do the same for our oral health when we visit the dentist for cleaning and checkups. But our annual reviews don’t end with our body. We […]
It’s Alive! Chapter 7 Bankruptcy After BAPCPA
Mark Twain once traveled to Europe where he learned that his obituary had been published in the New York Journal. Twain responded by saying that “reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” After the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA) was signed into law by President Bush an impression developed among […]