Middlesex County, MA Consumer Law

Free Tools and Information for Middlesex County, MA Consumers

Massachusetts Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Massachusetts PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Middlesex County: Key information about your local probate court (Circuit Court in Massachusetts) for Middlesex County.
• How Probate Works in Massachusetts: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Middlesex County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • Massachusetts Probate Forms and the
    • Massachusetts State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Massachusetts: Learn how to use Massachusetts's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In Arkansas, you can use the small estate procedure if the total value of all personal property does not exceed the amount to which the surviving spouse and children are entitled to by law or the value of the property is $100,000 or less, not counting the homestead and the statutory allowance for the benefit of a spouse or minor children. There's a 45-day waiting period for this.

    Ark. Code Ann. 28-41-101

• Massachusetts Estate Taxes:

  • Massachusetts, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.

• Avoiding Probate in Massachusetts. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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Massachusetts Wage & Hour Law

• Massachusetts Minimum Wage:  

  • The minimum wage in Arkansas is $11 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in Arkansas must be paid at least $11 an hour. 

    Middlesex County Minimum Wage

    The minimum wage in Middlesex County is $11 an hour, the state minimum wage. 

• Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Massachusetts and whether they apply to you.
• Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Massachusetts. 
• Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Massachusetts.

  • In Massachusetts, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $2.63 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $11 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Middlesex County, Massachusetts (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for April 1, 2024)
• Massachusetts BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Massachusetts law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in Massachusetts?:  

    • Yes. Federal bankruptcy exemptions are available in Arkansas. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-66-217

  • Massachusetts Homestead Exemption

    • For married person or head of family: unlimited exemption on real or personal property used as residence to 1/4 acre in city, town, or village, or 80 acres elsewhere; if property is between 1/4 to 1 acre in city, town, or village, or 80-160 acres elsewhere, additional limit is $2,500; homestead may not exceed 1 acre in city, town, or village, or 160 acres elsewhere (husband & wife may not double)

  • Massachusetts Vehicle Exemption

    • $200 is maximum personal property exemption allowed under the Arkansas Constitution, although the statute allows an exemption of $1,200. Courts have held that amounts in excess of the Arkansas constitution are unconstitutional.

• Massachusetts BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.

  Arkansas is divided into 2 federal districts with main cities in

  • Little Rock (Eastern District)
  • Fayetteville, Texarkana (Western District)
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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Massachusetts Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Massachusetts: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $81 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $451 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In Arkansas, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 16 weeks. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Massachusetts.
  • Arkansas Division of Workforce Services 
    • 501-682-2121
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

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Democracy In Massachusetts, Middlesex County, Malden 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Middlesex County, MA.
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your Massachusetts Voter Registration Status: https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/voterview
• Gerrymandering in Massachusetts: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 
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Find a Lawyer in Middlesex County, MA

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration
• Legal Aid
  • Arkansas Law Help 

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