You’ve just started work at a big-box employer. It’s your first day and you’re given a stack of papers to read through and sign. Chances are you will skip right to the signature page. Don’t do it! It might not be the most scintillating thing you’ll ever read, but take the time to read it...Read More

Imagine you’ve won a settlement in a court case after a protracted and difficult legal battle. Naturally you’re going to want to share the good news with your friends on Facebook! Not so fast. Chances are your settlement agreement contains a clause prohibiting you from discussing the details publicly. If you violate that provision by...Read More

You may have heard in recent months that the wait time for Veterans benefits claims has decreased – but many have had claims pending for months or even years. So which is it? Well, for one, the astounding ‘decrease’ only applies to new applicants – not those who have claims on appeal. VA has also...Read More

City life comes with some uniquely vexing issues. As Metro Boston residents collectively groan – or, in limited instances, rejoice – at the area’s first snowfall, many renters and landlords alike may wonder: Whose responsibility is it to take care of this snowy mess? Under Massachusetts law, if you’re renting an apartment or home, feel...Read More

There are some things that you will want to do before starting a small business. Having a plan is crucial. Not just a business plan, which is the framework of your business, you will need to know if your idea for a business is feasible and worth the time, effort and money you will put...Read More

In any legal matter, especially a divorce, court can add to the contentiousness of the matter, cause further delays, and leave both parties with undesirable results. There is an option besides court, and that option is mediation. What is Mediation? Mediation is a voluntary process in which neutral third party works with the parties to...Read More

Save the Date! Levine-Piro Law Announces Its 2015-2016 Seminar Series Have questions about any of the following? • Estate planning • MassHealth and nursing homes • Special needs trusts • Special education • Divorce and financial planning • Probate, guardianships and conservatorships Join presenters Attorneys Melissa A. Levine-Piro, Carolyn A. Romano, and Christine M. Boutin...Read More

Massachusetts’ Rules on Spanking: The Parental Privilege Defense By Amanda Castro, Esq. A recent Supreme Judicial Court decision allows parents to use reasonable force in disciplining their children without being charged criminally. The Court ruled in Commonwealth v. Dorvil that the physical force used in disciplining a child must be “reasonably related to the purpose...Read More

By Melissa A. Levine-Piro, Esq. As a law firm, Hera Law does extensive estate planning for our clients, including the drafting of Special Needs Trusts (SNT’s). A Special Needs Trusts is a carefully drafted trust that allows someone with special needs (the beneficiary) to receive disbursements from the trust without jeopardizing their public benefits, specifically...Read More

Approved by Massachusetts voters in November of 2014, the Earned Sick Time law will go into effect on July 1, 2015. The new law allows for employees to earn and use sick time as long as they meet certain conditions. The law will impact all Massachusetts employers and employees. Who is eligible? If your primary...Read More