Posts by Jonathan White

If you’ve considered creating a trust as part of your estate plan, you should learn more about irrevocable trusts in MA. Irrevocable trusts allow you to leave behind an inheritance that bypasses probate for your loved ones while offering asset protection during your lifetime. Read on to learn more about irrevocable trusts in Massachusetts. How…

The Appraiser, Credit Reporting Agency, Town Building Inspector, Surveyor, Title Examiner, Tax Collector, and more Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes during a real estate transaction? At Jordan & White, LLC, we’re here to make this complicated process less elusive for first-time home buyers, property sellers, or anyone else involved in…

Many first-time home sellers in Massachusetts are unaware they need to pay deed stamps, also known as excise tax, stamp tax, conveyance tax, or transfer tax. Besides the real estate commission, deed stamps are typically the largest expense when selling or transferring a property, so you want to budget for it well in advance. What…

Since most people who create revocable trusts have established plans to avoid probate, they tend to assume they no longer need a will. In a perfect world, they wouldn’t. But we don’t live in a perfect world, so it is a good idea to have a “pour-over” will as a backup. I’ll explain why. Property…

Becoming a new mom is a joyous and exciting event. You’ve spent months designing the nursery, choosing books and toys, and picking out a name for your little one. But don’t forget that it’s equally as important to make plans for your child’s future. These estate planning tips cover wills, trusts, and other important documents…

If you’ve recently had a baby, it’s easy to become swept up in all the emotions that come with being a new parent. When you have a child, it’s a good time to make plans to protect your family’s future. Below, learn about the importance of a will and trust after you’ve welcomed a new…

Real estate sales are usually subject to many contingencies, and the mortgage financing contingency is one that often causes considerable headaches for buyers and sellers. At the most basic, a mortgage contingency clause says that if a buyer cannot secure a firm loan commitment within a specified time, then the buyer can cancel the purchase…

The divorce decree doesn’t take care of everything. You often need to take extra steps to protect your financial interests. This is particularly true when it comes to any real estate you own jointly with your former spouse. Even when the property is awarded to one partner, the other partner’s name remains on the deed.…

Most of the time, when you offer to buy something, you can’t be held to that offer. Usually the offer must be accepted, and some form of consideration must change hands to create an enforceable agreement. But an “offer to purchase” can be the exception when it involves real estate. If buyers submit an offer…