Additional Information: We live in a 10 unit condominium complex in Chestnut Hill, and the home owners association is fining residents, but there is no statutory authority to do so.  Do we have to pay the fines?  I don’t want to be in “bad standing” with the HOA. What should we do? ATTORNEY ANSWER: The statement in your question that “there is no statutory authority” for trustees to fine unit owners is incorrect.  M.G.L. c. 183A Sec. 10(b) provides, in material

Additional Information: I started a business 6 months ago with a partner. We decided we’d see if the business is really viable before having a lawyer draft an agreement.  It was my business plan, I do the majority of the work, and I contributed more money to the venture than she did.  We work out of the apartment on my Newton property, I pay utilities and property tax.  My understanding was that the ownership was 60-40 in my favor. She now

Additional Information: My business is being sued for a debt from a production company in Waltham who provided services and was only paid about 20% of the debt. We never got our film footage and there was no contract.   Does Mass law require contracts between businesses to be in writing? Our company cannot pay it now yet it could within the year and they would have been paid. Now the time we are wasting for the same end result makes me

Additional Information: I’m in the process of buying a home in Wayland on a short sale. The asking price had already been approved by the seller’s lenders, I offered it, and the lenders accepted. Now it’s been over 3 weeks and we can’t seem to get the lenders to return the signed paperwork so we can set yet another closing date. The house will go into foreclosure in about 2 weeks. What can we do? ATTORNEY ANSWER: Lender delays in processing

Additional Information: What are some of the benefits of converting to condos?  My brother and I inherited a two family in Newton and we’re considering converting them to condos.  We may or may not move into the respective units. ATTORNEY ANSWER: The primary benefit to convert the two family building into a two unit condo is ease of sale and a basis to increase the sale price.  Newton is a strong market with much pent up demand at the lower price