Donald E. Ashe, Hampden County Register of Deeds, announced today that a Deed Service is offering to provide a certified copy of a deed for the price of either $59.50 or $69.50. The Registry of Deeds is the only source for providing certified copies of deeds and it charges $1.00 per page which for most deeds amounts to a total of $2.00.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Legislative Changes to the Homestead Act
As of March 16, 2011, legislative changes made to the Homestead Act will take effect. An estate of homestead is a type of protection for a person’s principal residence. There is an automatic homestead protection of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000) with respect to a home that does not declare a homestead exemption with the Registry of Deeds. It is not likely to be sufficient coverage to protect the full value of your home. In order for homeowners in Massachusetts to protect the value of their property for five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), you must file a new document called a “Declaration of Homestead”.
This form can be downloaded from the Hampden County Registry of Deeds website, picked up at our office or mailed upon request. The form can be filled out individually and can then be filed at the Registry of Deeds in the county or district where the property is located, referencing the title/deed to the property. A sole owner, joint tenant, tenant by the entirety, tenant in common, life estate holder, or holder of a beneficial interest in a trust may all be regarded as owners. Additionally, manufactured or mobile home owners are also eligible to declare homestead protection under the provisions of the new statute.
*This information is not designated to provide any legal advice or address the practical effect of an estate of Homestead. As in all areas of the law, to fully understand your rights, you should consult an attorney of your choice.*
This form can be downloaded from the Hampden County Registry of Deeds website, picked up at our office or mailed upon request. The form can be filled out individually and can then be filed at the Registry of Deeds in the county or district where the property is located, referencing the title/deed to the property. A sole owner, joint tenant, tenant by the entirety, tenant in common, life estate holder, or holder of a beneficial interest in a trust may all be regarded as owners. Additionally, manufactured or mobile home owners are also eligible to declare homestead protection under the provisions of the new statute.
*This information is not designated to provide any legal advice or address the practical effect of an estate of Homestead. As in all areas of the law, to fully understand your rights, you should consult an attorney of your choice.*
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