Massachusetts StatutesTITLE I TITLE TO REAL PROPERTY
- CHAPTER 183 ALIENATION OF LAND
- Section 1 Acts or ceremonies necessary for conveyance
- Section 1A Instruments not under seal
- Section 2 Estate conveyed by quitclaim deed
- Section 3 Estate created without instrument in writing
- Section 4 Effect of recordation or actual notice of deeds or leases, or of assignments of rents or profits
- Section 5 Recording of instruments; evidence of delivery
- Section 5A Recording of statements relating to title; use as evidence
- Section 5B Affidavits relating to title; recording
- Section 6 Name and address of grantee; recital of consideration; failure to comply
- Section 6A Instruments conveying unregistered land; sufficient description or identification; recording; failure to comply
- Section 6B Address of property affected
- Section 6C Residence and address of mortgagee or assignee
- Section 6D Endorsement on mortgages and assignments of mortgages secured by residential property; contents; failure to comply
- Section 7 Conveyance by grantor notwithstanding disseisin or adverse possession; title; grantee’s rights
- Section 8 Statutory forms; alteration or substitution; “incorporation by reference” defined
- Section 9 Rules and definitions relating to deeds or other instruments
- Section 10 Warranty deed
- Section 11 Quitclaim deed
- Section 12 “Grant” as word of conveyance
- Section 13 Words of inheritance
- Section 14 Uses and trusts
- Section 15 Easements, privileges and appurtenances belonging to granted estate
- Section 16 “Warranty covenants”
- Section 17 “Quitclaim covenants” or “limited covenants”
- Section 18 Mortgage deeds
- Section 19 “Mortgage covenants”
- Section 20 “Statutory condition” in mortgages
- Section 21 “Statutory power of sale” in mortgage
- Section 22 Co-operative bank mortgage
- Section 23 “Statutory co-operative bank mortgage condition”
- Section 24 “Statutory co-operative bank power of sale”
- Section 25 Purchase by holder of mortgage at foreclosure sale
- Section 26 Possessory interest of mortgagor
- Section 27 Disposition of proceeds of foreclosure sale; itemized accounting provided to mortgagor
- Section 28 Assignment of mortgage; words of transfer
- Section 28A Subsequent loans from mortgagee; priority
- Section 28B Open-end mortgage; subsequent loans from mortgagee
- Section 28C Refinancing in the borrower’s interest
- Section 29 Necessity of acknowledgment; recordation
- Section 30 Method of making acknowledgment
- Section 31 Acknowledgment of married woman
- Section 32 Letters of attorney; applicability of law
- Section 33 Certificates of authority
- Section 34 Proof of execution of deed by testimony of subscribing witness
- Section 35 Proof of execution by proving handwriting
- Section 36 Refusal of grantor to acknowledge; proof of execution by testimony of subscribing witness
- Section 37 Refusal of grantor to acknowledge; proof of execution by proving handwriting
- Section 38 Recording of unacknowledged deed; effect
- Section 39 Proof of execution of deed; necessity of subscribing witness
- Section 40 Certificate of proof of execution
- Section 41 Proof of deed made outside commonwealth
- Section 42 Forms for acknowledgments and certificates of authority
- Section 43 Vesting of title or interest by operation of decree in equity
- Section 44 Effect of recording or registration of copy of decree
- Section 45 Conveyance in fee by person seized as tenant in tail
- Section 46 Conveyance in fee by life tenant and vested remainderman in tail
- Section 47 Barring of equitable estates tail
- Section 48 Conveyance of equitable fee; entitlement to conveyance of outstanding legal estate
- Section 49 Sale and conveyance or mortgage by trustee appointed by probate court
- Section 50 Notice of petition to appoint trustee; appointment of next friend
- Section 51 Bond of trustee; proceeds of sale or mortgage
- Section 52 Sale of land charged with payment of money; petition; decree; bond of trustee
- Section 53 Effect of deed, bond or other instrument made in defeasance
- Section 54 Definitions; method of discharge
- Section 54A Defective discharges of mortgages held by entirety; effect
- Section 54B Mortgage release, assignment, etc.; execution before officer entitled to acknowledge instruments; effect
- Section 54C Recordation of discharge; effect; discharge by mortgage servicer or note holder who is not holder of record
- Section 54D Request for written payoff statement; time for transmittal; contents; corrected statement; penalties; fees
- Section 55 Discharge of mortgage; contents and recording; liability for failure to discharge or negligent discharge; affidavits
- Section 56 Mortgage notes; provisions for prepayment
- Section 57 Home mortgage notes; prepayment penalty; effect of taking by eminent domain
- Section 58 Real estate abutting a way, watercourse, wall, fence, or other monument
- Section 59 Late charges or penalties
- Section 60 Notes secured by liens, amortization of principal by maturity; conditions; variable rate of amortization; exemptions
- Section 61 Payment of interest by mortgagee; request for exemption
- Section 62 Payment of taxes to city or town by mortgagee; due date
- Section 63 Loan fees; residential property mortgages; disclosure
- Section 63A Revisions in mortgage terms; restrictions; fees
- Section 63B Recordation of real estate mortgage prohibited until proceeds of loan paid to mortgagor
- Section 64 Discrimination in residential mortgage loans on basis of location of property
- Section 65 Acceptance of written memorandum as evidence of insurance
- Section 66 Required insurance; limitation
- Section 67 Reverse mortgage loan prohibition
- Section 68 Mortgagees licensed as insurance producers; mortgage loans secured by residential real estate; conditions and limitations
- CHAPTER 183A CONDOMINIUMS
- CHAPTER 183B REAL ESTATE TIME-SHARES
- CHAPTER 183C PREDATORY HOME LOAN PRACTICES
- CHAPTER 184 GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATIVE TO REAL PROPERTY
- Section 1 Rights of aliens
- Section 2 Conveyance of land subject to contingent remainder, executory devise or other estate in expectancy
- Section 3 Contingent remainders; taking effect; limitations
- Section 4 Land held in fee tail; liability for debts of tenant in tail
- Section 5 Conveyance vesting life estate and remainder to heirs
- Section 6 Interpretation of words importing want or failure of issue
- Section 6A “Heirs” and “next of kin” construed
- Section 7 Creation of estate in common, joint tenancy or tenancy by the entirety
- Section 8 Conveyance to grantor and another
- Section 8A Name and address of owner; request for information; records; penalty
- Section 9 Conveyance by tenant for life or years of greater estate
- Section 10 Acts of owner of precedent estate upon expectant estate; effect
- Section 11 Barring of estates tail
- Section 12 Fixtures annexed by life tenant; determination; removal
- Section 13 Repealed, 1957, 765, Sec. 2
- Section 14 Sale of timber standing on land used by other than owner of fee
- Section 15 Proceedings affecting title to real property; recording and registration of memoranda of lis pendens; persons affected
- Section 16 Certificate of judgment, decree or final disposition; recording
- Section 17 Judgments or decrees; effect of recording
- Section 17A Agreement for purchase and sale of real estate; acknowledgment; recordation
- Section 17B Mortgage loan application; real estate consisting of a certain dwelling house; required statements and information
- Section 17B1/2 Variable or adjustable rate subprime loans for first-time home loan borrowers; written affirmation and counseling certificate required; approved counseling programs; violations; regula
- Section 17C, 17D Repealed, 2006, 63, Sec. 4B
- Section 18 Entry into land; legal proceedings required to recover possession of land or tenements; jurisdiction
- Section 19 Entry for breach of condition; certificate; recordation
- Section 20 Right of entry or action for recovery of real property; descent or discontinuance
- Section 21 Encumbrances upon real property; duty of grantor to inform grantee
- Section 22 Encumbrance of record; liability for removal
- Section 23 Conditions or restrictions; term of years; applicability
- Section 23A Proceedings relating to building restrictions; limitation of actions
- Section 23B Restrictive covenants based on race, religion, national origin or sex; validity; exception
- Section 23C Solar energy systems; installation or use; restrictive provisions
- Section 23D Community residences for disabled persons; restrictive provisions
- Section 24 Defects, irregularities or omissions in deeds; curative period
- Section 25 Indefinite references; effect; application
- Section 26 Land use or construction restrictions subject to this section and Secs. 27 to 30; definitions; sufficiency of description; presumptions
- Section 27 Restrictions imposed after December 31, 1961; limitations on enforceability; extension of period
- Section 28 Restrictions imposed before January 1, 1962; limitations on enforceability; extension of period
- Section 29 Notice or extension of restriction; prerequisites
- Section 30 Enforceability of restrictions; presumptions and prerequisites; temporary injunction
- Section 31 Restrictions, defined
- Section 32 Effect, enforcement, acquisition, and release of restrictions
- Section 33 Public restriction tract index
- Section 33A Doctrine of worthier title; testamentary conveyances or devises; abolition
- Section 33B Doctrine of worthier title; inter vivos conveyances; abolition
- Section 34 Good faith purchasers of interests in real estate from trustees; binding effect on trust; recording conditions
- Section 35 Trustee’s certificate; requirements; effect
- CHAPTER 184A STATUTORY RULE AGAINST PERPETUITIES
- CHAPTER 184B SHORT FORM TERMS FOR WILLS AND TRUSTS
- CHAPTER 185 THE LAND COURT AND REGISTRATION OF TITLE TO LAND
- Section 1 Jurisdiction; place of sittings; rules and forms of procedure
- Section 2 Justices; administrative head
- Section 2A Repealed, 1937, 409, Sec. 4
- Section 3 Scheduling of sessions
- Section 3A Permit session of the land court department; jurisdiction; transfer of actions; assignment of cases; case management; mediation
- Section 4 Processes
- Section 5 Repealed, 1978, 478, Sec. 84
- Section 6 Recorder; appointment; powers and duties
- Section 7 Custody and control of papers and documents
- Section 8 Places recorder or deputy allowed to act
- Section 9 Facsimile signature of recorder
- Section 10 Registers of deeds acting as assistant recorders
- Section 10A Technical assistants; termination
- Section 11 Oath and bond of recorder and assistant recorders; additional duties
- Section 12 Examiners of title; appointment; acting for recorder
- Section 13 Court officers
- Section 13A Stenographers
- Section 14 Salaries and expenses; practice of law; fees
- Section 15 Trial of causes and questions of fact; jury trials; transfer of actions to superior court
- Section 15A Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 26
- Section 16 Appeal from judgment for jury trial
- Section 17 Certification from clerk of superior court to land court; further proceedings before land court
- Section 18, 19 Repealed, 1973, 1114, Sec. 27
- Section 20 Repealed, 1931, 387, Sec. 2
- Section 21 Costs
- Section 22 Filing of writs, complaints, bills and pleadings
- Section 23 Filing and indexing of final judgments and executions in county where land lies
- Section 24 Reference to examiner; examination and report
- Section 25 Powers of land court
- Section 25A Power of land court to enforce orders, sentences, judgments and decrees; contempts
- Section 26 Complaints for registration of title
- Section 26A Complaints for confirmation of title without registration
- Section 27 Filing of petition; memorandum relating to petition; duties of assistant recorder
- Section 28 Form and content of complaint
- Section 29 Land bounded on public or private way; content of complaint
- Section 30 Complaint or registration made subject to existing recorded mortgage or lease
- Section 31 Inclusion of two or more parcels; joinder
- Section 32 Amendments
- Section 33 Plan of land and muniments of title; filing; withdrawal; further survey
- Section 34 Additional facts in complaint; additional papers
- Section 35 Agent for non-resident plaintiff
- Section 36 Transactions dealing with land after filing of complaint; record of disposition of case
- Section 37 Reference to examiner to search records and investigate facts; report; notice of report to plaintiff
- Section 38 Publication of notice of filing of complaint
- Section 39 Return day of notice; mailing of copies; posting of copies
- Section 40 Appointment of guardian ad litem; compensation
- Section 41 Answer
- Section 42 General default; order; judgment confirming title
- Section 43 Hearing of contested cases; default of persons not appearing; reference to examiner; report; compensation of examiner
- Section 44 Dismissal; withdrawal
- Section 45 Judgment of confirmation and registration; opening of judgment; remedies of aggrieved persons
- Section 46 Encumbrances affecting certificates of title
- Section 47 Contents of judgment of registration
- Section 48 Transcription of judgment in district where land lies; owner’s duplicate certificate; land lying in more than one district
- Section 49 Original and transfer certificates
- Section 50 Repealed, 1996, 481, Sec. 2
- Section 51 Subdivision; application for new certificates
- Section 52 Perpetuation of registration; withdrawal; notice of voluntary withdrawal
- Section 53 Prescription, adverse possession or right of way by necessity
- Section 54 Evidentiary effect of original certificate or copies thereof
- Section 55 Contents of certificate of title
- Section 56 Recorder’s duties relating to indexes and records
- Section 56A Complaints for confirmation of title; application of chapter
- Section 57 Dealings by owner; registration as act of conveyance
- Section 58 Notice of registering, filing or entering
- Section 59 Interests less than estate in fee simple; registration
- Section 60 Form of memorandum; presentation of doubtful questions to court
- Section 61 Information concerning grantee and others appearing on instrument; endorsement of changes
- Section 61A Address of property affected
- Section 62 Fraudulent registration
- Section 63 Assistant recorder’s entry book; processing of instruments; public inspection of records; duplicates and copies
- Section 64 Procedure to convey fee
- Section 65 Procedure to convey part of land described on certificate
- Section 66 Statement of encumbrances or claims on new certificate
- Section 67 Authority to mortgage
- Section 68 Registration procedure
- Section 69 Discharge
- Section 70 Foreclosure
- Section 71 Registration of leases or notices of leases
- Section 72 Procedure to register
- Section 73 Trusts with powers of sale, mortgage, etc.
- Section 74 Appointment of new trustee; proceedings
- Section 75 Implied or constructive trusts; filing of statement
- Section 76 Registration of land held in trust
- Section 77 Burdens and incidents attaching by law
- Section 78 Filing and registration of attachments or liens
- Section 79 Repealed, 1996, 481, Sec. 13
- Section 80 Filing of instruments evidencing continuation, reduction, discharge or dissolution
- Section 81 Applicability of laws relating to attachment on mesne process
- Section 82 Endorsement of plaintiff’s attorney upon writ
- Section 83 Registration of order continuing, reducing or dissolving attachment on mesne process
- Section 84 Enforcement of liens
- Section 85 New certificate to person claiming under execution
- Section 86 Filing and registration of memorandum of proceedings affecting land; registration of judgment or decree
- Section 87 Certificate of manner of disposal
- Section 88 Registration of judgment
- Section 89 Filing and registration of execution or writ of seisin
- Section 90 Registration of certificates of judgment in writs of dower and waste
- Section 91 Registration of decrees
- Section 92 Filing and registration of judgment in partition proceedings or proceedings for assignment of spouse’s statutory share
- Section 93 Registration of prior mortgage or lease with decree for partition
- Section 94 Registration of notices in insolvency and copies of decrees
- Section 95 Registration of discharge
- Section 96 Entry of new certificate
- Section 97 Entry of new certificate; notice; hearing; memorandum of pendency of settlement of estate
- Section 98 Right of probate court to license sale or mortgage; new certificate or memorandum of registration
- Section 99 Payment; amount
- Section 100 Custody; investment; annual report
- Section 101 Grounds for recovery from fund; exhausting other remedies; continuance of action to await result of tort action
- Section 102 Defendants in action to recover from fund
- Section 103 Recovery upon judgment
- Section 104 Deficiencies in fund
- Section 105 Subrogation rights
- Section 106 Application and investment of income of fund
- Section 107 Limitations upon liability and amount of compensation
- Section 108 Limitations upon commencement time of actions
- Section 109 Evidence of value of land, estate or interest
- Section 110 Dealing with registered land; filing letters of attorney
- Section 111 Repealed, 1996, 481, Sec. 18
- Section 112 Statement alleging right or interest
- Section 113 Repealed, 1996, 481, Sec. 19
- Section 114 Changes upon registration book; grounds for motion to change
- Section 115 Filing and entitling
- Section 116 Mailing of notices
- Section 117 Authority of court
- Section 118 Fraudulent conveyance; imprisonment term
- CHAPTER 185A HOUSING COURT OF THE CITY OF BOSTON [Repealed, 1978, 478, Sec. 91.]
- CHAPTER 185B HOUSING COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HAMPDEN [Repealed, 1978, 478, Sec. 91.]
- CHAPTER 185C HOUSING COURT DEPARTMENT
- CHAPTER 186 ESTATES FOR YEARS AND AT WILL
- CHAPTER 187 EASEMENTS
- CHAPTER 188 HOMESTEADS
- CHAPTER 189 DOWER AND CURTESY
- Section 1 Nature of estate; claiming of right
- Section 1A, 2 Repealed, 1971, 423, Sec. 8
- Section 3 Right to dower in wild land
- Section 4 Dower in land redeemed from mortgage
- Section 5 Repealed, 1971, 423, Sec. 11
- Section 6 Effect of signature of married minor woman
- Section 7 Barring of dower by jointure before marriage
- Section 8 Barring of dower by pecuniary provision in lieu of dower
- Section 9 Election by spouse to waive jointure or pecuniary provision
- Section 10 Assignment of spouse’s interest
- Section 11 Manner of assignment
- Section 12 Partition of land owned by deceased spouse as tenant in common
- Section 13 Occupancy by surviving spouse without assignment
- Section 14, 15 Repealed, 1979, 402, Sec. 1
- Section 16 Notice of claim; effect of recording