What if my Cancellation Clause Didn’t Include the Word “Pandemic?” Our last blog on Force Majeure was published just as news of COVID-19 was unfolding and there will still many questions about performing work and staying on schedule.  Soon after, store fronts had closed, contractors were prevented from performing work and the government-initiated lock down was put in place.  The building block for most businesses is the business contract, instantly in jeopardy as the

The purpose of a Notary Public has withstood the test of time ever since Christopher Columbus brought the first notary to the New World in October 1492*.  Throughout centuries, notarizing a document has slowly evolved as a trusted way to formalize a contract.  Early on, certain rules applied to a Notary Public throughout the years - such as requiring election by a state’s general assembly, formalization of contracts with a fancy embossed wax seal

If you own or manage a large, small, for profit or nonprofit organization, you can still be evicted, according to the Massachusetts Eviction and Moratorium Act, signed by Governor Charlie Baker on April 20, 2020, if you're not considered (non-essential)*. The Act expires 120 days from April 20th or 45 days after the emergency declaration is lifted, whichever is sooner. EVICTIONS Don’ts residential landlords cannot terminating tenancies, send notices to quit or take any "non-essential"

The current COVID-19 pandemic has caused a great deal of unease; with stay at home orders in effect for both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, many of the things that we once took for granted are no longer a possibility.  One of those things is getting documents notarized.  In response to this, the State of Rhode Island has made Remote Online Notarization available to anyone who is a notary in the state of Rhode Island. Notarized

Landlords everywhere are getting a barrage of requests from renters to temporarily reduce rent during the COVID-19 public health emergency or not receiving their rent payments altogether.  According to the National Multifamily Housing Council, only 69% of apartment tenants had paid their monthly rent by April 5, down from 81% the previous month - a trend that most likely will worsen. Not all eviction freezes are in place, so landlords in Massachusetts still have some

Whether you have a commercial tenant who owns a yoga studio or a residential tenant who stopped paying rent, COVID-19 is forcing landlords everywhere to call their lawyers and ask:  “Now What?" "It's important to show concern and flexibility during this unprecedented set of circumstances," said Robert R. Pellegrini, Jr., Esq, "but it's also important to remind your tenants of their obligations and set expectations for both parties." Here are a few ways you can

Many of our clients are already hearing phrases like, “acts of God” and “force majeure” from the other party in their contracts--some are trying to get out of the agreement and others are trying to stay the course.  Regardless of which side you find yourself on, you need to know the following information in order to navigate our new reality. The term "force majeure", a common law phrase and clause seen in business contracts, is

Preparing yourself and your family is key during any crisis.  Staying calm and performing the necessary steps to ensure the security of your family will save time and headaches that you’ll want to avoid in case of emergency. Your piece of mind is most important during a time of uncertainty which is why PK Boston Law is here to help. We will deliver documents for signature in two formats: Electronically By Federal Express while it