New Homestead Law Takes Effect March 16th

Revisions to the Massachusetts Homestead Law will go into effect on March 16, 2011. Chapter 395 of the Acts of 2010, AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE ESTATE OF HOMESTEAD, revises and replaces the provisions of the Massachusetts Homestead Act, G.L. c. 188. The amendment provides additional definition and clarifies a number of uncertainties in the existing statute. More information is available at the General Court’s webpage.

The Registry of Deeds is working with the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth to provide new homestead forms and information materials. The new information will be posted here on the Worcester Registry of Deeds blog.

Highlights of the New Law:

• Automatically protects up to $125,000 in home equity without filing
• Protects up to $500,000 for those who file for homestead protection
• Allows spouses to both file-- currently only one may file
• No need to re-file after refinancing
• Provides coverage for homes kept in trusts
• Homesteads currently in effect will remain in full force notwithstanding their failure to comply with provisions of the new statute

First and Last Day Stats

The first and last days of each month have historically been busy days in terms of the number of documents recorded at the Registry of Deeds. We will be tracking them here and comparing volume to 2010 here at the Registry of Deeds Blog

Jan 3, 2011 - 633 Documents Recorded (Up 8% from 2010)
Jan 31, 2011 - 1006 Documents Recorded (Up 32% from 2010)

Feb 1, 2011 - 427 Documents Recorded (Down 28% from 2010)
Feb 28, 2011 - 744 Documents Recorded (Down 12% from 2010)

March 1, 2011 - 572 Documents Recorded (Down 19% from 2010)

Presidents Day Hours

The Registry of Deeds and Fitchburg Satellite Office will be closed on Monday, February 21, 2011 in observance of the Presidents Day Holiday.

Fitchburg Satellite Office Closed Today

The Registry's Fitchburg Satellite Office will be closed today, Wednesday, February 2, 2011 due to inclement weather.

New Registry Inclement Weather Policy

Effective February 1, 2011, the Worcester Registry of Deeds and Satellite Office will not be open for business if the Worcester Trial Court is closed for the entire day. The Worcester Registry of Deeds will be open regular business hours if the Worcester Trial Court has a delayed opening.