by admin | Oct 4, 2023 | Home Ownership
Question: My husband and I are fixing up our house this winter. He thinks he will be able to handle most of the work, by himself (he is not a contractor). How do we know what work will require a building permit? Answer: You may want to start off by telling him that...
by admin | Oct 3, 2023 | Estate Planning
Question: I would like to make some large cash gifts to my children, while I am alive, rather than by inheritance. What is the limit I can give each year, before paying gift tax? Answer: You can continue being generous. Assuming you have not given away millions of...
by admin | Oct 1, 2023 | Buyers, Loan Closing Facts
Question: We are buyers, applying for a mortgage. Our lender yelled at us for getting a department store credit card, during the process. I just wanted to save 20% with my back to school clothes purchase. Did I mess up our mortgage application? Answer: While applying...
by admin | Aug 23, 2023 | Estate Planning
Question: My daughter is going to live at college in the fall. She is now 18 years old. In case of a problem, do I need anything legally to support her medically or financially? Answer: It’s that time of year again. I remember my freshman year at college. Though I was...
by admin | Jul 5, 2022 | Home Ownership, Real Estate
Question: I am behind on my mortgage payments. The bank’s foreclosure sale is about a month away. We know someone who is willing to loan us some money at a high interest rate – 25%. We really appreciate the help, but is this something that is even legal? Answer:...
by admin | Jun 27, 2022 | Landlord - Tenant
Question: I just purchased a vacant property for rental income. What should I put into consideration, before I start to rent it out? Answer: Because the largest area of trouble for a landlord surrounds security deposits, the last two columns discussed regulations...
by admin | Jun 27, 2022 | Buyers
Question: I am currently selling my lifelong home and downsizing to a condo. I will make enough from my sale to pay for the condo outright. Some people have told me “It’s freeing to live without a mortgage.” While others say, “It is financially beneficial to...
by admin | Jun 27, 2022 | Buyers
Question: I made an offer to buy a house, about two days ago. We have yet to hear back from the sellers. We have been looking around at other homes and fell in love with another house. What if the seller of the original house accepts our offer? Will we be stuck buying...
by admin | Jun 24, 2022 | General Law
Question: I am buying a vacation home in New Hampshire. You have informed me that I need to hire a New Hampshire licensed attorney to help with my contract. However, why can you perform my closing as my closing attorney, but cannot help me with my contract? Answer: I...
by admin | Jun 24, 2022 | Estate Planning
Question: When is the best time of year to focus on my estate planning? Answer: My first answer would be, the moment you think about getting a will or trust, just pick up the phone. Simply call a lawyer for an appointment. Even if it is a weekend, holiday, or evening....