
How to File a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment
You can file a suit for Declaratory Judgment (only in Superior Court) when you are a party to a contract where an actual controversy has arisen, and is current, and ripe, and where the contract has added and/or omitted some material and substantial issue that persists and which cannot be [...]
Landlord / Tenant Evictions: Notices to Quit
Landlords should make sure that they are aware that there are two different types of notices to quit in Massachusetts: Notice to quit for non-payment of rent Notice to quit for a violation of the lease other than non-payment of rent or for notice that the lease will not be [...]
Mediation Tips for Litigants with Cases In Supreme Court
Supreme Court judges like to see parties make an effort to settle their cases. Most mediators are voluntary and non-binding but parties may commit to binding arbitration, with or without ceiling/floor targets. Mediators usually charge around $700.00 per party for four hours of mediation. If you decide to participate, prepare [...]
Injury caused by a dog
If another person's dog's conduct caused you to suffer physical injury, Massachusetts has a statute, MGL Ch. 140, s. 155, which creates automatic liability on the part of that dog's owner, unless you were committing either a trespass or some other tort, like teasing or tormenting the dog at the [...]
There is a way to keep out prior OUI convictions from other states
If you are charged with an OUI in Massachusetts and because you have a prior plea or conviction in another state, thereby increasing the severity of the punishment of the crime, there are at least five legal problems for a prosecutor before any such prior disposition can be admitted into [...]
Harassment orders ; how to defend against them
MGL Ch. 258E requires three or more acts of willful and malicious conduct aimed at a specific person. There has to be an intent to cause fear, intimidation, abuse or damage to property. Actions that are merely abusive in the disruptive sense are not enough. FWT v. FT, 93 Mass. [...]