The current COVID-19 pandemic has caused a great deal of unease; with stay at home orders in effect for both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, many of the things that we once took for granted are no longer a possibility. One of those things is getting documents notarized. In response to this, the State of Rhode Island has made Remote Online Notarization available to anyone who is a notary in the state of Rhode Island. Notarized
Landlords everywhere are getting a barrage of requests from renters to temporarily reduce rent during the COVID-19 public health emergency or not receiving their rent payments altogether. According to the National Multifamily Housing Council, only 69% of apartment tenants had paid their monthly rent by April 5, down from 81% the previous month - a trend that most likely will worsen. Not all eviction freezes are in place, so landlords in Massachusetts still have some
It’s an ordinary day at PK Boston, a real estate firm in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, where closing documents are signed, a home has just been purchased, and congratulations are given. Except this time, everyone at the table is wearing a mask and gloves, no hands are shaken, and great pains are made to wipe down trafficked areas after each client meeting. “Businesses categorized as essential, such as law firms, have a duty to make their clients
Whether you have a commercial tenant who owns a yoga studio or a residential tenant who stopped paying rent, COVID-19 is forcing landlords everywhere to call their lawyers and ask: “Now What?" "It's important to show concern and flexibility during this unprecedented set of circumstances," said Robert R. Pellegrini, Jr., Esq, "but it's also important to remind your tenants of their obligations and set expectations for both parties." Here are a few ways you can
Many of our clients are already hearing phrases like, “acts of God” and “force majeure” from the other party in their contracts--some are trying to get out of the agreement and others are trying to stay the course. Regardless of which side you find yourself on, you need to know the following information in order to navigate our new reality. The term "force majeure", a common law phrase and clause seen in business contracts, is
It's a tough time for small businesses, but a new option is available to help keep your doors open. If your business was profitable prior to 3/10/20 and you have no adverse personal credit reports 60 days past due for the last six months, you are eligible for the Massachusetts 2020 Business Recovery Loan Fund. "A loan fund of $10 million has been created to provide financial relief to Massachusetts businesses that have been affected
Preparing yourself and your family is key during any crisis. Staying calm and performing the necessary steps to ensure the security of your family will save time and headaches that you’ll want to avoid in case of emergency. Your piece of mind is most important during a time of uncertainty which is why PK Boston Law is here to help. We will deliver documents for signature in two formats: Electronically By Federal Express while it
As Americans watch developments of a global health crisis, panicky but vague news headlines abound from a variety of sources: The Center for Disease Control’s Nancy Messonnier, “this might be bad,” the World Health Organization began with “if it hits us...” and the Washington Post declaring “the outbreak appears inevitable.” “...if you start planning does it mean you’re panicking?” Discussion about emergency planning for hospitals, schools, and community events have begun. But what if you
By Attorney Robert Pellegrini If you wanted to build a neighborhood church or school in mid-20th century Massachusetts, town officials would likely reject your application and refer to the local zoning bylaws. Back then, projects involving charitable, non-profit and/or other uses that enhanced societal causes (by providing necessary education and services) took a back seat to traditional options such as residential housing developments. "This little known exemption can make or break your
By Michelle Bessette Oliveira When you purchase or sell real estate in Massachusetts, there's a good chance that the purchase and sale agreement contained a version of the following statement: Any matter of practice arising under or relating to this Agreement which is the subject of a title standard or a practice of the Massachusetts Real Estate Bar Association ("REBA") at the time for delivery of the deed shall be