General Practice

Our firm is a general practice office that handles a wide range of legal matters for our clients. A few of those areas are listed below. If you are in the need of an attorney please do not hesitate to contact our office. If we are unable to handle your matter we will do our best to refer you to another law firm better able to assist.

Real Estate, Condominium Conversions & Mortgage Lending Services

The Law Offices of Stephanie A. Petty, LLC is a firm specializing in real estate conveyancing, condominium conversions and mortgage lending services. We represent buyers, sellers, refinance borrowers and lenders in all of their real estate and mortgage transactions. We work closely with our clients, being responsive to changing circumstances and to difficult time requirements, to ensure that the needs of both our clients and their customers are met. As a result of our expertise and efficiencies, we are able to provide these services at a competitive fee structure. We hope this information is helpful in evaluating our qualifications to represent you in your next real estate or mortgage loan transaction.

Divorce Law

The Law Office of Stephanie A. Petty, LLC provides counsel to individuals seeking contested and uncontested divorces. We work with our clients to provide solutions and advice best suited for their individual situations at reasonable prices. From advising on the complex area of division of assets and custody of children, to handling financing and real estate matters, our firm provides thoughtful and comprehensive advice.

Divorce Mediation

Divorce may be the end of your marriage but it does not have to irreversibly harm your entire family. Often times spouses in today's generation are able to reach an agreement on their own, without the expense, delay and uncertainty of the traditional divorce action.

Stephanie A. Petty, an experienced litigator, now provides mediation services to reach a fair and equitable resolution without resorting to a costly trial.

Further information: Divorce Mediation Intro, Divorce Mediation Primer.

Collaborative Divorce Law

The main difference between Collaborative Law Practice and a conventional divorce is the pledge to reach an agreement without going to court. You and your spouse keep control of the decisions yourselves, rather than allowing a judge to make the decisions for you, while working with your respective attorneys to reach the best end result for each spouse.

Statistical surveys have shown less than 2% of matters actually reach trial. Unfortunately many matters settle on the “courtroom steps” the morning trial is to begin. Countless hours, and thereby client funds, are wasted preparing for trials which so infrequently occur.

Click here to obtain more information on Collaborative Divorce Law.

Estate Planning

The Law Offices of Stephanie A. Petty, LLC assists clients with basic estate planning. These are a set of drafting tools many use to prepare for future health care decisions, control where hard-earned assets go upon their death, preserve assets for children, "avoid probate", and minimize estate tax liability.

A basic will package consists of a Will, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Will and a Health Care Proxy. Although Living Wills are not recognized in the State of Massachusetts, our firm includes them in the event you move or become ill in a state that does recognize such instruments.

A basic living trust package consists of a Revocable Living Trust which takes effect immediately upon funding and execution, a Will with an Affidavit of Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Will, Health Care Proxy and if applicable, a Realty Trust, Deed and Trustee's Certificate to be recorded in the appropriate Registry of Deeds.

Estate and Probate Administration

It is always a difficult time when a loved one has passed away. Unfortunately, whether a Will exists or not, this time is not only one of grief but of legal process. Even if an estate is very small, the administration of the estate cannot be ignored because debts need to be paid and assets distributed.

Our office can assist you in such matters as presentation and allowance of the will, appointment of a fiduciary, publishing of court citation, filing of fiduciary's bond and surety, notification to all applicable administrations, notice to all interested parties, determination of solvency of estate, filing of final account, and payments of pecuniary legacies and other disbursements.

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