Click on the links below to see answers to some of our more frequently asked questions. If you cannot find an answer to your question here, please feel free to email us or call us and we will respond to your question in a timely fashion. Our attorneys personally return all phone calls within 24 hours.
Real Estate
Why can’t I take the built-in bookshelves with me?
Items such as chandeliers and built-in bookshelves are considered “fixtures” and cannot be easily removed from the property without causing damage or otherwise altering the property. If you wish to take these items, they must be deleted from the purchase and sale agreement’s description of the premises to be sold. Additionally, any structural changes made must be remedied (i.e., the light fixture must be replaced with another and the wall behind the bookshelf repaired).
What will our closing costs be?
It depends largely on the loan program offered by the lender. Typically, you can expect to pay:
One or two points
An application fee
A credit report fee
An appraisal fee of approximately $400
Prepaid interest for the balance of the month in which you close and own the property
Prepaid escrows for taxes (which are usually about 3 month’s worth)
Hazard (i.e., property) insurance (usually 2 month’s worth)
Mortgage insurance, if applicable (usually 2 month’s worth depending on the premium)
There may also be charges for:
Document preparation (usually $100)
Tax service fee (usually $50 - $75)
Courier fees ($25-$50)
Other transfer/servicing charges ($25)
The attorney will also collect and disburse for:
Recording fees (i.e., deed, mortgage, etc.)
Title report ($125 - $225)
Municipal Lien Certificate ($25)
Title insurance
His/her own attorney fee
What is title insurance and why do I need it?
It is an insurance policy which protects the lender and, if purchased by the buyer, the owner of the property from claims against the title to real estate.
Before you purchased your home, it may have gone through several ownership changes, and the land on which it stands went through many more. There may be a weak link at any point in that chain that could emerge to cause trouble. For example, someone along the way may have forged a signature in transferring title. Or there may be unpaid real estate taxes or other liens. Title insurance covers the insured party for any claims and legal fees that arise out of such problems.
Personal Injury
If I am injured in an automobile accident, what do I do?
Make sure you stop at the scene and notify the police immediately about the accident. If possible, get all of the information about the other parties involved, including their names, addresses, telephone number, e-mail address and insurance information. Be sure to get treatment for your injuries with a medical care provider as soon as possible.
If possible, get the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the accident. If you have a camera or a cell phone with a camera, you should try to get pictures of the accident scene as well as pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident. If you have bruises or other visible injuries, you should take pictures as soon as possible.
Do NOT give any statement to the insurance adjuster or anyone else until you have had the opportunity to speak with an attorney.
What is my case worth?
Predicting the trial value of any personal injury case is almost impossible. There are many factors that can affect the value of a case. Your attorney can only give you a very general idea of the value of your case based on cases we have handled with similar injuries and will not be able to predict the specific amount you will receive. That said, our lawyers generally are able to give our clients a settlement range that they can reasonably expect after our lawyers have reviewed the client's personal injury case.
Is there a statute of limitations for personal injury cases?
There is a three year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for negligence in Massachusetts. If you do not file a lawsuit within three years from the date of the accident, you will be forever barred from bringing a claim for any injuries sustained as a result of the accident. If the claims for personal injuries against a city or town, there are very strict notice requirements.
What if I am injured and the other party is at fault but has no insurance?
In Massachusetts, if you suffer personal injuries as the result of the negligence of a hit-and-run driver, you may still recover for your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering as if you knew the identity of the driver by bringing a claim under your own insurance policy's underinsured or un-insured motorist provision. Essentially, the law treats that phantom vehicle as an uninsured driver.
How do I recover if I am hit by a hit and run motorist?
If you have uninsured protection with your own insurance carrier, you may be entitled to make a claim against your own insurance carrier for your damages.
When should I hire a personal injury attorney?
You should retain a Massachusetts personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your automobile accident or other personal injury incident. Unfortunately, after being seriously injured in an accident, you are immediately placed at a distinct legal disadvantage. While you are preoccupied dealing with your injuries and resulting financial concerns, the party at fault in your accident has notified their insurance company, who begins to work against you.
Accordingly, if you are an accident victim in Massachusetts, you should protect your legal rights by contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer who has experience handling auto or truck accident cases. Our accident lawyers often get auto accident cases where some time has elapsed between the auto accident and the client's call to our office. More frequently than not, the client has made mistakes in positioning their case that would not have been made if they spoke first to a competent Massachusetts personal injury lawyer who understands the nuances of auto accident, truck accident and slip and fall cases.
Your accident attorney will often arrange for an investigator to take pictures of the accident scene, take statements from witnesses and preserve any physical evidence. You want to make sure that all relevant evidence is preserved and not inadvertently destroyed or lost. Your Massachusetts lawyer will also ensure that you comply with statutes of limitations and other legal requirements that would bar your lawsuit.
Construction Law
What is a mechanic's lien?
A mechanic's lien is a claim against the value of a building or property to secure payment for materials or services provided to improve the property. The lien makes the property owner ultimately responsible for all of the expenses incurred in improving a property. If the owner does not pay off the lien, the lienholder may go to court to get an order enforcing the lien against the property ultimately resulting in the potential sale of the property.
If the time to file a mechanic's lien has passed, or I have lost my lien rights, can I still recover the balance owed on the contract?
Yes. You may maintain separate actions for breach of contract and quantum merit for failure to pay pursuant to the contract. These separate actions are not surrendered simply because your lien rights have expired.
Why is a payment bond so important?
Because, usually, a payment bond is the only way you will get paid on a project. Assuming your claim is valid and is brought to us before one year has expired from when you last worked on the job, in most cases, we can transform a bad debt into an accounts receivable.
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
Learn more about our legal representation services
- Our aggressive personal injury attorneys handle all aspects of personal injury claims.
- Our experienced construction lawyers have helped clients through a wide variety of disputes involving private and public construction contracts.
- Our efficient real estate attorneys are approved to close loans for hundreds of Banks, Mortgage Companies and Investors.
