Many property owners in Massachusetts include specific instructions for their real property in their estate plans. Oftentimes, people instruct the personal representative of their estate to sell their real property if none of their beneficiaries wish to purchase it or...
When someone holds a title to a home or unimproved parcel in Massachusetts, that means they are the owner of record for that piece of real property. Some people hold title alone, while others share their ownership interest with a spouse, a child or even a friend....
In an era marked by increasing awareness of environmental issues, the preservation of wetlands and other natural resources has become a vital concern. The interaction between human development and fragile ecosystems necessitates careful oversight and regulation. This...
Property development, particularly in rural areas, often tends to result in some degree of pushback. Local communities, neighbors and even regulatory authorities may take issue with the decision to develop a specific piece of land. Wetland properties are among the...
Zoning issues can arise under a variety of circumstances, from property expansions to starting a home-based business. Zoning laws are designed to regulate land use, density and the overall character of a community. Familiarizing yourself with local zoning regulations...
People sometimes treat the paperwork involved in a commercial real estate transaction as a mere technicality. They assume that the forms they sign are standard boilerplate documents that transfer ownership of the property to a new party. Anyone with a background in...
Zoning is a form of local land use control that helps protects individual homeowners and also the community as a whole. Municipal authorities and local communities have a say in zoning, and those who want to change the local zoning or secure a variance often need to...
Perhaps you have some rural hunting property with a cabin that does not have any road access. Historically, your neighbor whose property abuts the road always allowed you to drive up their driveway and then veer off to the side onto your property. You haven't had to...
When someone buys real property, they usually have the right to do whatever they want with the home and the acreage they’ve purchased. Of course, there are some limitations concerning property use enshrined in both local and state laws. For the most part, however,...
What happens if you are delinquent in making your property tax payment to a city or town? Chapter 60 of the General Laws governs the procedures available to municipalities for collecting delinquent real estate taxes. There are multiple remedies provided under G.L. c....
