A True Story from Fitzwilliam, NH In 2012, Lorraine and Peter MacDonald purchased a vacation home by the water in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire - an "idyllic" spot. Unbeknownst to them, hell lay just around the corner. As reported in the recent New Hampshire Supreme Court decision of MacDonald et al. v Jacobs (January 15, 2019), one Lisa Jacobs … [Read more...]
What is Property?
Property is anything that is owned by a person or company. It can be bought, sold, traded, stolen, or destroyed. Property can be owned by a single person, or jointly between two or more people. Tangible items such as a car, books, clothes, DVDs, or that collection of weird looking clowns are considered personal property. Real estate or real … [Read more...]
The Hermit and the Deed (No Good Deed Goes Unpunished)
Perley E. Swett was a well-known hermit who lived in Stoddard, NH. He passed away in 1973. During his life, various people appear to have helped him out, one being a gentleman named Quentin H. White. Beginning in 1968, Mr. White visited Mr. Swett regularly, delivered groceries, handled bank transaction, and took Mr. Swett to visit his … [Read more...]
The Changing Tides of the Market: The Effects of Rising Sea Levels on New Hampshire Properties
The concept of rising sea levels has become more common in American news over the past decades, and has become a consistent point of concern for politicians and civilians alike. Many news outlets focus on changes that need to be made to slow or halt rising sea levels to prevent future catastrophes from taking place. But while there is much concern … [Read more...]
Lost in Legal Lingo? Our Top 3 Legal Terms in Popular TV and Movies, Explained
Law and legal television programs and movies have long been a favorite with American viewers. From shows like Law and Order to blockbuster hits like Double Jeopardy, legal jargon has been a long-standing staple in entertainment—often at the confusion of viewers. Here’s a list and explanation of our top 3 legal terms in popular TV and movies to help … [Read more...]
What is an Emergency Lane?
Both Class V and Class VI roads are public roads, meaning the entire traveling public have the right to use them. The big difference between the two is that municipalities have the obligation to maintain Class V roads, but not Class VI roads. Maintenance can be expensive, so municipalities often try to keep the number of Class V roads to a … [Read more...]
Technology and Crime: How New Advancements are Changing the Nature of Evidence
Technological advancements are one of the greatest marks of modern global and American cultures. As the decades progress, technology continues to become more sophisticated and accessible to the average consumer and has become a hallmark of twenty-first century life. But how far does technology actually reach into our daily lives? In the context … [Read more...]
Buyer Beware – Confirm Your Boundary Lines Before You Purchase
So, you’re buying a house. You probably get an inspection done on the house as part of the approval process for your mortgage. But do you think about the boundary lines of the property? Maybe the seller tells you the line is at a tree, or a fence. Maybe you don’t even discuss the boundary lines at all. Then how do you know what you are buying? You … [Read more...]
Maintaining Our New Hampshire History: Historic Building Designations
New Hampshire was one of the original thirteen colonies of the United States, and the first state to establish its own state constitution. Since its inception in 1776, New Hampshire has been a center of many historical events, through the Industrial Revolution right to present day. One of the many remnants of New Hampshire’s rich history is … [Read more...]
How to Choose an Estate Planning Attorney
What to Consider When Looking for an Estate Planning Attorney Comfort You need to feel comfortable with the attorney who, ideally, needs to get to know you well enough for you to tell them not just about the successes in your life and where things have gone according to your plan, but also about when things haven not happened according to your … [Read more...]