On August 12, 2019 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security finalized what is known as the "public charge" rule. It is slated to go into effect on October 15, 2019 and has the potential to cause the great majority of immigrants to be denied a green card or visa. The...
Levin and Levin, LLP
Can you file bankruptcy to discharge student loan debt?
Can you file bankruptcy to discharge student loan debt? This common question has a two-part answer. The answer to the direct question of whether or not a person can list a student loan lender as a creditor in a bankruptcy case is "yes." The lender can, and should, be...
What to do first to prepare for an upcoming divorce
Every family deals with divorce differently. Cape Cod Today recently went into detail about the main points of the divorce process and how couples can increase their chances of having a speedier divorce. One of the best ways to expedite the process is...
Developer cancels plans for downtown project
Massachusetts real estate developer Weiner Ventures recently announced it was cancelling a major project that would have built two high-rise buildings over the busy Massachusetts Turnpike in Boston. Weiner referred to the project as 1000 Boylston Street.The...
Immigrants face uphill battle when accused of crimes
As the Trump administration continues its high-profile crackdown on immigration, many immigrants are worried. Some fear that anything they do to step out of line can endanger their immigration status.Recently, the administration announced a new rule that could deny...
Recognizing the causes of slip, trip and fall accidents
Slip, trip and fall accidents can happen almost anywhere. You can encounter fall hazards at retail stores, office buildings, parking lots, sidewalks, apartment complexes, restaurants, museums and more. Astoundingly, falls result in 8 million visits...
Strategies for avoiding probate
In Massachusetts, the term "probate" refers to the process of transferring property after a person has died. This legal process is overseen by a Family and Probate Court, and generally must be completed within three years of the death. However, not all types of...
Foreign investment in U.S. residential real estate drops 36%
As the market for residential real estate continues to heat up, the local news media have been full of doom and gloom. However, there may be signs of a slowdown ahead.A recent article in the Boston Globe detailed how local prices for single-family homes and...
Making modifications to a parenting plan
As the new school year begins, family schedules begin to fill up and change. For children in divorced households, this can be a delicate balance to keep.In some cases, previous arrangements may not work as effectively as they once did, and a modification may be...
$49.3 financing deal to help preserve affordable housing
As costs continue to rise in the Massachusetts residential real estate market, state and local governments struggle more and more with ways to provide affordable housing. Private builders and investors can usually make a lot more money creating luxury condominiums,...