- Business DisputesMy office is located in Amherst, Massachusetts. My practice areas includes estate planning, trust and fiduciary administration, probate administration, elder planning, business law, and real estate law. I work closely with my clients to gain a thorough understanding of their objectives and to respond to changing circumstances and demanding time requirements.
- Business TransactionsA. Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. provides written proposals for business planning and commercial transactions and provides engagement/fee agreement letters to all clients prior to accepting a retainer or fee. A legal fee is based upon the nature of the legal work, the time needed to effectively complete the legal work, and the demand for the services of the firm. The firm and the client mutually agree to a fee in advance of any fee or retainer being paid. The firm also provides fee guidelines to clients. In some instances, the fee is based upon an hourly rate. The firm provides time estimates to complete a planning project. In other instances, the fee is based upon a flat rate plus hourly rate. For example, a flat fee is charged to a client to create a business entity and the firm would charge an hourly rate for ongoing representation of the client’s business.
- Limited Liability CompaniesI represent individuals, partners, and groups with business planning including creating business entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations. Additionally, I represent businesses with purchasing, selling, mergers, asset acquisitions, commercial loan agreements, and commercial real estate.
- Real Estate LitigationMatthieu J. Massengill, P.C. provides counsel to individuals and businesses involved in various businesses throughout our region. We work with our clients to provide solutions and advice best suited for their individual situations at reasonable prices. From choosing the appropriate business entity, to handling financing and real estate matters, to representation in sales of all types of businesses, our firm provides thoughtful and comprehensive advice.
- Real Estate Transactions10. FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN REAL PROPERTY TAX ACT OF 1980 AS AMENDED: This Federal Law places special requirements for tax reporting and withholding on the parties to a real estate transaction under certain circumstances as set forth in the law. You should seek the advice of your attorney or accountant concerning the effect of this Act on this transaction. You will be required to execute a copy of the enclosed certification under penalty of perjury at the closing. If you do not plan on attending the closing, please be sure that your attorney or agent delivers the fully completed and executed copy of the affidavit along with the deed. The closing attorney for the firm can not and will not provide information, advice or opinions regarding the Act’s applicability to you or to this transaction.
- Easement
- Land Use and Zoning
- Medical MalpracticeIn addition, I work with a team of experienced legal professionals representing you with you Nursing Home Injury/Abuse and Medical Malpractice claims.
- Estate PlanningMatthieu J. Massengill, P.C. offers a full range of trust and estate services to our clients to preserve their wealth and to enable them to pass assets to their families and other beneficiaries in the most appropriate and tax-effective manner. Our firm is experience in handling complex estate planning techniques through gifting, estate freezing, life insurance, asset and valuation discounting, and charitable gifting. Our firm provides thoughtful and comprehensive advice to a variety of clients from different backgrounds and with different needs.
- WillsA Living Will is an instrument that states the principal’s intent and wishes regarding whether to use or not use extraordinary measures to sustain the principal’s life. Living Wills do not have statutory authority in some jurisdictions, but do provide important direction and instruction regarding your intent and wishes. A Health Care Proxy is an instrument authorizing a trusted individual, the “health care agent,” to make medical decisions for the principal at such time as the principal lacks capacity to make such decisions.
- Power of AttorneyThe third issue is whether or not you need to manage the parent’s legal and financial matters and whether or not you have the authority to do so. Where are the parent’s records kept? Does the parent have any legal instruments such as a will or durable power of attorney? Where does the parent keep investment and savings documents? What is the proper allocation of assets in the parent’s portfolio? What are the parent’s monthly income and expenses? What if a parent needs more monthly income to cover short term needs? Which assets should be saved and which should be used for monthly expenses? Is the child authorized to make financial and legal changes for the parent?
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- Tax LawTitle Abstract — Includes the physical review of the title to your property in the Registries of Deeds and Probate, including bankruptcy and tax matters where available.