CIVIL LITIGATION

The firm provides extraordinary depth in the area of Commercial Law practice. Whether a client needs guidance in the formation of his or her business organization (sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, limited partnership or corporation), or advice on the legal rights and responsibilities which flow from such an organization, the firm has experienced attorneys available to provide insight, advice and representation.

For the established business, the firm provides experienced practitioners in commercial litigation, lease negotiation and preparation, condominium conversions, employer/employee relations, corporate separations and business dissolution's.

In the event a client is seeking to purchase or sell a business, the firm has attorneys experienced in the entire process, from contract negotiation and preparation, through governmental approvals, financing and closing of title. The attorney makes sure there is full and complete interaction between him or her and the client’s financial and accounting advisors.

The firm offers services in the following areas of commercial law:

Incorporations - Corporate Law

Joint Ventures - Partnerships

Limited Partnerships

Condominium Conversions

Commercial Leases

Employment Relations

Business Dissolution

Financial Transactions

Government Approvals

This area of the law is among the most personal and difficult to practice. The issues include child custody, support, alimony, property distribution, property settlement agreements and separation. The firm has established a record of success indicative of the commitment the firm has made to assist our clients in this difficult time of their lives.

Stopa & Associates takes a progressive approach to divorce and family law. We provide our clients with experienced, knowledgeable and skilled divorce and family law attorneys and support staff so that each client has the most comprehensive counsel and representation possible.

With understanding and compassion for the delicate issues associated with divorce and family law, we are committed to obtaining the very best results for each of our clients.  We strive to do so by delivering those results in a professional, cost-efficient and practical manner with the client always having the opportunity to dictate how he or she would like to have their matter handled.

Our firm represents clients in all types of divorce and family law matters including providing advice, counsel and representation in divorce cases (uncontested, contested and complex divorce litigation), the negotiation of prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, property division and distribution, child custody matters in Massachusetts, interstate child custody and international child custody matters, access and visitation matters, child support disputes, spousal maintenance and alimony awards, paternity matters, orders of protection, adoptions, and issues relating to guardianships and conservatorships.

Our firm handles both residential and commercial real estate transactions and litigation. The purchase or sale of a home, property or business is often the most important reason an individual retains a lawyer. The firm assures the client receives professional service in this important transaction. The expertise of the attorneys handling such matters assures that each transaction will receive personal attention and will transpire smoothly.

In our practice, we represent individuals, lending institutions, developers and other real estate professionals in every aspect of real estate purchases, sales and development.

Many clients also utilize the firm in related areas such as refinancing their existing mortgages, zoning, subdivision applications and landlord-tenancy.

Being mindful of man’s mortality, clients seek the firm’s advice regarding Wills, Estate Plans, Trusts, Living Wills, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Trusts, Health Care Proxies and the settling of their worldly estates.

A Will is a document in which the important last wishes of a person are stated. Among those considerations are: (1) who should be the guardian of minor children (so the Courts do not choose the guardian), (2) the distribution of the individual’s assets, (3) the establishment of trusts for individuals, (4) important tax consequences, (5) who should be the Personal Representative of the Estate.

The Estate is the actual accumulation and distribution of the assets pursuant to the directions of the Will. The Estate also pays the bills and obligations of the decedent. In many cases, the firm will prepare and file the Federal and State Tax Returns, Accountings, and related documents for the Estate.

In larger Estates, the firm will explore with the client various Estate Planning devices designed to lighten the Federal Estate Tax burden upon death.

To serve our clients in this important capacity the firm has a dedicated staff that has spent years developing various estate plans.

Losing a loved one is an emotional and difficult time for families. We understand that administrating the estate through the courts, also referred to as probate, is time-consuming and difficult to navigate. Our firm is dedicated to assisting clients through the loss of their loved one by representing them throughout the probate process.

Our dedicated staff will handle the probate process from start to finish, including but not limited to: filing the necessary pleadings with the Probate & Family Court, notifying heirs as required, taking an accurate inventory of estate assets, obtaining appraisals of assets where necessary, addressing creditors of the estate, facilitating the sale of estate assets when necessary, addressing tax filings and/or obligations, and distributing the remaining assets to the rightful heirs.

We know that navigating the courts can be overwhelming and we are here to help.

Clients from all walks of life may need assistance or advice in this area of the law from time to time. Our firm has extensive experience both in the state and federal courts. Our attorneys have represented individuals with charges ranging from larceny to attempted murder.

We can also assist clients with sealing their Criminal Offender Record Information (“CORI”) if they are eligible for sealing.