Massachusetts Homestead Act

The Massachusetts Homestead Act is designed to allow homeowners in Massachusetts to protect their primary residence against subsequent attachment, levy or sale to satisfy debts up to $500,000. The Homestead Law does not protect against: taxes or mortgages used to purchase the residence. Homeowners must file for the Homestead Act with The Registry of Deeds office in the county in which the residence is located.

Massachusetts charges a one time Filing Fee of $35 for a Declaration of Homestead.

Registry of Deeds Links:

Registry of Deeds Offices: 

DISTRICT/COUNTY:

LOCATED IN:

Barnstable Barnstable
Northern Berkshire Adams
Middle Berkshire Pittsfield
Southern Berkshire Great Barrington
Northern Bristol Taunton
Southern Bristol New Bedford
Fall River Bristol Fall River
Dukes Edgartown
Northern Essex Lawrence
Southern Essex Salem
Franklin Greenfield

The Homestead Act
Questions & Answers

La Ley de Protección de Hogar Seguro
Preguntas y Respuestas

City/Town to Registry Guide

DISTRICT/COUNTY:

LOCATED IN:

Hampden Springfield
Hampshire Northampton
Northern Middlesex Lowell
Southern Middlesex Cambridge
Nantucket Nantucket
Norfolk Dedham
Plymouth Plymouth
Suffolk Boston
Northern Worcester Fitchburg
Worcester Worcester

Massachusetts Deed

Ordinance or Law Coverage

Ordinance or Law Coverage

Ordinance or Law Coverage was recently in the news and, as a result, our Agency received a flurry of phone calls. After completing dozens of reviews of coverage, let’s talk about:

Ordinance or Law Coverage — coverage for loss caused by enforcement of ordinances or laws regulating construction and repair of damaged buildings. Older structures that are damaged may need upgraded electrical; heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC); and plumbing units based on city codes.

Ordinance or Law insurance coverage provides limited protection for costs associated with repairing, rebuilding, or constructing a structure when physical damage to the structure by a covered cause of loss triggers an ordinance or law.

According to Adjuster’s International Disaster Recovery Consulting, compliance with ordinances and
laws after a loss can add 50% or more to the cost of the claim. (Paul O. Dudey CPCU and Donald S. Malecki, Adjusting Today Issue #3009, “Ordinance or Law Coverage – Code for Recovery!”).
Insureds should take a proactive approach to their insurance program and the coverage provided by the
program. Learning about important exclusions and limitations after a catastrophe strikes will cause the Insured to experience frustration and anxiety. Insureds should always read their policies, and in some states, may be required by law to do so.


ORDINANCE OR LAW EXCLUSION

Most property insurance policies will have an Ordinance or Law exclusion. The exclusion applies to both physical damage and time element coverage. Ordinance or Law coverage is readily available in the market, typically by end

Give us a call to review your coverage.