Lane, Lane & Kelly Legal Blog

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Estate Planning Real Estate Probate

Inherited Real Estate: How to Avoid Disputes and Family Conflict

When a loved one passes away and leaves behind real estate, most frequently the decedent wishes to pass along the home...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Real Estate Probate

Estate Planning & Real Estate Tips for Empty Nesters Looking to Downsize

As the spring season of 2025 comes into full bloom, more empty nesters in Massachusetts are reevaluating their housing...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Probate

How to Leave Cryptocurrency in Your Will: Protect Your Digital Assets

As cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, and other digital assets such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs)...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Business Law

Why Business Succession Planning is Crucial for Small Business Owners in Massachusetts

For business owners in Massachusetts, estate planning is about more than just personal assets—it’s also about ensuring...

Matthew B. Lane

Real Estate

For Sale by Owner: The Legal Risks & Rewards of Selling Your Own Home

Selling your home without a real estate agent, commonly known as For Sale by Owner (FSBO), can be an attractive option...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Probate

Top Mistakes People Make When Creating a Will and How to Avoid Them

Creating a Last Will and Testament (Will) is one of the most important steps you can take to secure your future,...

Matthew B. Lane

Real Estate

Why You Should Select a Closing Attorney Before Submitting an Offer

Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you will ever make. In Massachusetts, the home-buying...

Matthew B. Lane

Real Estate

The Hidden Costs of Buying a Home: What First-Time Buyers Need to Know

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, and while most buyers focus on the primary...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Probate

Problems With Appointing Co-Personal Representatives or Co-Trustees in a Will or Trust

When creating a Will or Trust, one of the most critical decisions is selecting who will serve as the Personal...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Real Estate Business Law

Important Tax Benefits and Deductions for Massachusetts Homeowners

Owning a home in Massachusetts comes with several tax benefits and incentives that can save you money on both the state...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Real Estate Probate

Your Tax-Smart Holiday Gift Guide to Strengthen Your Estate Plan

The holiday season is a time for joy, gratitude, and the spirit of giving. For those focused on long-term financial...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Probate

Why Estate Planning Should Be Your Top New Year’s Resolution for 2025

The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and reflection, as families and loved ones come together to celebrate....

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Real Estate Probate

The Garn-St. Germain Act: Key Implications for Estate Planning

The Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 (12 U.S.C. §1701j-3) is a pivotal law that directly impacts...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Real Estate Probate

Massachusetts Land Court: What is a Petition to Sell and When do You Need It?

Massachusetts is one of only a handful of states that has a dedicated Land Court. The Land Court is a department of the...

Matthew B. Lane

Real Estate

Protect Your Earnest Money Deposit: Crucial Legal Steps for Homebuyers

When purchasing a home, putting down an earnest money deposit is one of the first steps in showing the seller that...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Probate

How to Navigate Massachusetts Probate for Complex & Unique Assets

When it comes to estates that include high-value or unique assets, such as real estate, businesses, or valuable...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning

Essential Estate Planning Tips for New Parents and Young Adults

When most people think about estate planning, they often picture older adults preparing for retirement or elderly...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning

How Trusts Can Help Parents Plan & Save for Their Children's Education

Planning for your child's future, especially their education, can be one of the most important financial decisions a...

Matthew B. Lane

Business Law

The Corporate Transparency Act & What It Means for Massachusetts LLCs

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), enacted by Congress on January 1, 2021, is a significant shift in federal...

Matthew B. Lane

Real Estate

Zoning Laws in Massachusetts: Understanding Land Use Regulations

Zoning laws play a crucial role in shaping how land is used and developed in Massachusetts. Whether you're a property...

Matthew B. Lane

Real Estate

Refinancing Your Home in Today's Rate Climate and The Crucial Role of Your Real Estate Attorney

Refinancing your home can be a strategic move, offering numerous benefits such as lowering your monthly mortgage...

Matthew B. Lane

Real Estate

The Role of Banks in Purchasing a House: Understand the Types of Mortgage Loans and the Importance of Title Insurance

Purchasing a home is one of the most significant financial decisions most people will ever make. For many, this process...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning

What is a Pet Trust and How to Include One in Your Estate Plan

For many people, pets are not just animals, they are beloved members of the family. Ensuring their care and well-being...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Probate

Navigating the Complexities of Estate Planning for Blended Families

Blended families, where couples bring together children from previous relationships, present unique challenges and...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Real Estate Probate

Summer Weddings and Estate Planning: What Newlyweds Need to Know

Summer is a popular time for weddings, with many couples choosing to tie the knot during the warmer months. While...

Matthew B. Lane

Understanding the Stepped-Up Tax Basis and How Estate Planning Can Maximize Its Benefits

Estate Planning Real Estate Probate

Maximizing Tax Benefits with the Stepped-Up Basis in Estate Planning

When it comes to estate planning, understanding the concept of a stepped-up tax basis is crucial for minimizing tax...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Probate

Estate Planning for Digital Assets: How to Protect Your Online Legacy

In today’s digital age, our lives are increasingly intertwined with the online world. From social media accounts and...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Real Estate

Protecting Your Summer Home: Estate Planning for Vacation Properties

Owning a summer home can be a wonderful asset, offering a retreat for family vacations and a potential source of rental...

Matthew B. Lane

Real Estate

Common Real Estate Disputes in Massachusetts and How to Resolve Them

There are several types of disputes that can arise either during real estate transactions in Massachusetts or just as a...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning

The Importance of Personalized Estate Planning: Be Cautious of Online DIY Platforms

In today's digital age, convenience is often just a few clicks away. With the rise of online platforms offering Will...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning

The Legal Documents Every Parent Needs Before Their Child Goes off to College: Power of Attorney & Health Care Proxy

As parents, sending our children off to college is a significant milestone, marked by excitement, anticipation, and a...

Matthew B. Lane

Squatters’ Rights in Massachusetts: Legal Implications and Protection Strategies for Property Owners

Real Estate

Squatter's Rights in Massachusetts: What Property Owners Need to Know

In recent news, stories about apartments being occupied by unauthorized individuals, known as squatters, have...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning

Where to Store Your Estate Planning Documents

Your estate planning documents should be cared for appropriately. Any damage to the original document, whether...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Probate

What is Probate? An Overview of the Massachusetts Probate Process

Losing a loved one is undoubtedly one of life's most challenging experiences. Amidst the grief and emotional turmoil,...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Real Estate

What is a 1031 Exchange? A Guide to the Tax Advantages & Estate Planning Benefits

As a real estate investor, maximizing returns and minimizing tax liabilities are key priorities in building a...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Probate

What Happens When You Die Without a Will? A Guide to Understanding Massachusetts Intestate Succession Laws

Losing a loved one is a difficult and emotional experience, and dealing with the legal complexities of their estate can...

Matthew B. Lane

When You Should Update Your Estate Plan Documents and Why It's Important

Estate Planning

When to Update Your Estate Plan Documents & Why It's Important

Everyone should consider having an estate plan, and everyone with an estate plan should periodically revisit their plan...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning Probate

Individual vs. Professional Trustees: Key Factors to Consider in Your Trustee Selection

With trusts being the preferred estate planning tool for many of our clients, we are frequently asked whether it’s...

Matthew B. Lane

Real Estate

What Are the Different Types of Real Estate Deeds in Massachusetts?

When it comes to transferring ownership of real estate in Massachusetts, understanding the different types of deeds is...

Matthew B. Lane

Real Estate

Understanding the NAR Settlement: Impact on Buyers, Sellers, and Real Estate Commissions in Massachusetts

In a significant development for the real estate industry, the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which represents...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning

Who's Who? Know All the Parties Involved in Your Estate Plan

Embarking on the journey of estate planning can feel like navigating a complex network of relationships and...

Matthew B. Lane

Real Estate

A Buyer's Guide to Navigating the Purchase and Sale Agreement in Real Estate Transactions

You have found the perfect house, submitted your offer, and it was accepted! While it may feel like the end of the...

Matthew B. Lane

Estate Planning

What You Need to Know About Creating a Will or Trust in Massachusetts

While thinking about your ultimate demise is never easy, it is important to have a plan in place to ensure that your...

Matthew B. Lane

Beware of deed scams! When you purchase e a new home or property, you will be bombarded with scams requesting money. You should disregard these scams! Lane, Lane & Kelly Legal Blog. Braintree Massachusetts

Estate Planning Real Estate

Protect Your Property: Beware of Deed Scams Targeting Homeowners

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive from our clients comes immediately following a real estate...

Matthew B. Lane

Real Estate

The Advantages of Holding Real Estate in an LLC

A Limited Liability Company or "LLC" is a business entity created by Massachusetts law by drafting and filing Articles...

Robert F. Cirafice

Real Estate

What is a Petition to Partition?

A petition to partition is an action used when a property owner wishes to sell a piece of property they own as joint...

Robert F. Cirafice

Real Estate

The Massachusetts Homestead Act and What it Means for You

A Declaration of Homestead is a great way to protect your primary residence from collection, seizure, or a creditor’s...

Robert F. Cirafice

the election share - how a spouse can derail your estate plan: Lane, Lane & Kelly - Lawyers in Braintree, MA 02184

Estate Planning Probate

The Elective Share: How a Spouse Can Derail Your Estate Plan

In Massachusetts, a surviving spouse can claim a fixed portion of the decedent’s estate (referred to as an elective...

David B. Lane

Lane, Lane & Kelly Attorney, Robert Cirafice, claiming a $1 million dollar lottery prize on behalf of our client

Estate Planning

How to Maintain Anonymity When You Win the Lottery in Massachusetts

Lottery winners in Massachusetts are often surprised when they go to claim their prize and are then asked by the...

David B. Lane

Estate Planning

Estate Planning and Coronavirus: The Importance of Having Health Care Documents and What it Means for Your Current Health Care Documents

With the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and the abundance of fear and uncertainty that has come with it,...

David B. Lane

Real Estate

Our Certification of Title to Buyers of Real Estate

Our duties on behalf of the lender require that we examine the title to the premises. In addition, under the provisions...

David B. Lane

Real Estate

Title Insurance and Its Importance in Your Transaction

Real estate title insurance very simply is an insured statement of the conditions of one’s title or ownership rights to...

David B. Lane

The Importance of a Closing Attorney and the closing process - Lane, Lane & kelly are experienced closing attorneys located at 836 Washington St. Braintree, MA 02184

Real Estate

Closing Attorneys and The Closing Process

Our duties on behalf of the lender require that we examine the title to the premises. In addition, under the provisions...

David B. Lane

Real Estate

Ways to Hold Title in Massachusetts

In order to properly prepare the mortgage documents we require information from you as to how you intend to take title...

David B. Lane

what you need to know about your closing, buyers and borrowers - Lane, Lane & Kelly Briantree Lawyers

Real Estate

What You Should Know About Your Closing (Buyers and Borrowers)

Insurance

David B. Lane

Real Estate

Representing the Interests of the Buyer in Real Estate Transactions

If this is your first home purchase, or perhaps you haven’t purchased a new home in a while, the process may seem...

David B. Lane

Real Estate

Important Notice About Your Closing (Buyers and Borrowers)

As you may know, our office represents your lender in matters relating to your request for a mortgage loan in order to...

David B. Lane

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