What happens if I miss a Chapter 13 payment in Massachusetts?
Legally reviewed by Massachusetts bankruptcy attorney Michael Goldstein · Last reviewed September 27, 2026 Missing one Chapter 13 payment does not automatically end your case, and no rule sets a number of payments you can miss. The trustee can move to dismiss or convert your case, and in Massachusetts you have 21 days to respond […]
Can Your Massachusetts LLC Actually Be Pierced? What Owners Get Wrong About Asset Protection
Reviewed by Michael Goldstein, Attorney at Law, Massachusetts Small Business Law | Last reviewed: September 2026 Direct Answer Massachusetts law treats an LLC’s debts as the company’s debts, not the owner’s, and a member or manager is not personally liable solely because of that role. The shield is not absolute. An owner can still be […]
Can You Discharge Student Loans in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Massachusetts Bankruptcy & Student Loans Sometimes, yes. The advice most borrowers still hear was written before November 2022, when the Justice Department changed how the government handles these cases. Here is what applies now, including two Massachusetts issues that national articles get wrong. By Attorney Michael Goldstein Legally reviewed by Massachusetts bankruptcy attorney Michael Goldstein […]
Who Owns Your Website When You Hire a Marketing Agency?
Small Business Law Most Massachusetts business owners assume the website belongs to whoever paid for it. Copyright law does not work that way. The short answer Under federal copyright law, the agency that builds your website owns the copyright in what it created unless a signed written agreement transfers ownership to your business. A monthly […]
LLC vs S Corporation in Massachusetts: You’re Comparing the Wrong Two Things
Michael Goldstein, Attorney at Law (781) 745-3792 Massachusetts Small Business Law An LLC is a legal entity. S corp is a federal tax election. That’s the confusion behind almost every “LLC vs. S corp” search, and it clears up fast once you separate the two questions. Attorney Michael Goldstein Massachusetts business formation and tax structure […]
Can I Keep My Car If I File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Most people filing Chapter 7 in Massachusetts don’t lose their car. Here’s the exemption math that decides it, and what to do if your equity runs over the limit. We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. Legally reviewed by Massachusetts bankruptcy […]
Do I Need an LLC to Start a Small Business in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts Small Business Law Quick answer No Massachusetts statute requires you to form an LLC, and running a business as a sole proprietor is legal from day one. What changes is personal exposure. A sole proprietor answers personally for every business debt and claim. A business operating under a name other than the owner’s real […]
Employee vs. Independent Contractor in Massachusetts (ABC Test)
Massachusetts Small-Business Legal Guide Employee or Independent Contractor? The Massachusetts ABC Test Explained A practical guide for Massachusetts home-service and professional-service business owners deciding how to classify workers. Attorney review: Michael Goldstein Last reviewed: August 2, 2026 Massachusetts businesses cannot choose independent-contractor status simply because a worker prefers it, signs an agreement, or receives a […]
How to Negotiate a Loan Modification (and When Chapter 13 Is the Better Move
And when Chapter 13 becomes the better option, not just a backup plan. If you’ve ever called your mortgage company and gotten the runaround, you already know something important: asking for help and getting help are two very different phone calls. Most people either give up after the first “no,” or they wait so long […]
IRS Settlement Options for Massachusetts Small Businesses
By Attorney Michael Goldstein – Small Business & Debt Relief Lawyer | Massachusetts Editorial Team · Updated 2026-07-14 Massachusetts small business owners facing IRS debt have several settlement paths available. An Offer in Compromise lets owners settle tax debt for less than the full amount owed. The IRS evaluates ability to pay, income, expenses, and […]
Saving the Family Home with Chapter 13
Look, I’m going to tell you the cold, hard truth about your mortgage arrears. Money doesn’t cry for you, and your lender certainly doesn’t either. When you fall behind on your house payments in Massachusetts, the bank stops looking at you like a customer—they look at you like a non-performing asset that needs to be […]
What Clauses Should You Watch For Before Signing a “Standard” Vendor Contract?
Quick Answer What’s the biggest risk in a standard vendor contract? The two clauses most likely to cost a small business owner real money are one-sided indemnification provisions, which can force you to cover a vendor’s legal fees and damages even when the vendor was partly at fault, and automatic renewal clauses, which lock you […]