Northwind Law
MA

Massachusetts Legal Guides

Understand Massachusetts's specific laws and regulations across six major practice areas. Each guide covers state statutes, court procedures, and key legal differences.

Legal Guides for Massachusetts

Personal Injury

Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar, preventing plaintiffs who are 51% or more at fault from recovering damages. The state has a three-year statute of limitat...

Statute of Limitations: 3 years from date of injury
Comparative Negligence: Modified, 51% bar
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Family Law

Massachusetts family law is governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208 (Divorce) and related chapters. The state follows equitable distribution using an all-property approach, meaning courts c...

Residency Requirement: 1 year (exceptions if cause arose in MA)
No-Fault Ground: Irretrievable breakdown
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Criminal Defense

Massachusetts takes a progressive approach to criminal justice while maintaining strict penalties for serious offenses. The state uses the term OUI (Operating Under the Influence) rather than DUI or D...

OUI First Offense: Up to 2.5 years in jail, $500-$5,000 fine, 1-year license suspension
Drug Possession (Class D - Marijuana): Legal for adults 21+ up to 1 oz; civil fine of $100 for minors
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Estate Planning

Massachusetts imposes a state estate tax with a $2 million exemption—one of the lowest in the nation—and a unique "cliff" structure where the entire estate value is taxed once the threshold is exceede...

State Estate Tax: $2 million threshold; "cliff" tax on full estate
Small Estate Threshold: $25,000 for voluntary administration
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Business Law

Massachusetts offers a sophisticated business environment anchored by its world-class universities, thriving technology and biotech sectors, and a well-developed legal infrastructure. The Commonwealth...

LLC Formation Filing Fee: $500 for Certificate of Organization; $500 annual report fee
Corporate Excise Tax: 8.0% on net income; $2.60 per $1,000 of tangible property or net worth
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Real Estate

Massachusetts real estate law combines a non-judicial foreclosure system with robust consumer protections, mandatory attorney involvement in closings, and distinctive features including a registered l...

Excise Stamps: $2.28 per $500 of consideration ($4.56 per $1,000)
Non-Judicial Foreclosure: Power of sale with 150-day right to cure for owner-occupied
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