SederLaw

07/01/2026

A family business is never just an asset on a balance sheet. It is leadership decisions, jobs, customer relationships, and a name that means something in the community.

Private equity investment can be a powerful tool for growth, succession, and liquidity, but family transactions carry sensitivities that standard M&A playbooks miss. Valuation, governance, earnouts, family employment, and shareholder rights all need careful structuring to avoid future conflict.

If you are considering outside investment or already in conversations with a buyer, get experienced counsel involved early. We help Massachusetts families and investors build deals that preserve legacy while creating real long-term value.

Read the full insight: https://bit.ly/4whCpxs

06/30/2026

You bought the property. You don't necessarily control what happens on it.

In Massachusetts, restrictive covenants are private rules baked into a deed that can limit what you build, how it looks, or even how you use the land. They were often written decades ago by developers or prior owners, and they bind every future owner who takes title. Many buyers don't discover them until they try to add a fence, run a business from home, or subdivide.

A careful title review before you close can save you from a project that gets shut down after closing. We help property owners across Massachusetts read what's actually in the deed.

Read the full insight: https://bit.ly/4fakm6p

06/29/2026

The contract decides who gets to walk away. Not your gut, not your agent, not your lender.

In Massachusetts, every real estate purchase agreement spells out the exact conditions for termination. Buyers have more exit points than sellers, but both sides risk serious financial consequences if they act outside the contract. Even a valid reason to leave the deal can disappear if the right notice isn't given on time.

Before you sign, terminate, or push back on the other side, have an attorney who can read the contract the way a court will.

Read the full insight: https://bit.ly/3QOiTcz

05/21/2026

The sale price is only part of the story.

For Massachusetts business owners, the structure of a sale can significantly affect what they ultimately keep. Asset sales, stock or ownership interest sales, purchase price allocation, installment payments, and entity structure can all create very different tax outcomes.

Seder Law’s latest blog explains what sellers should understand before negotiating a business sale.

Read the full alert on our website: https://sederlaw.com/massachusetts-tax-implications-of-selling-your-business/

05/20/2026

Fair does not always mean 50/50.

In Massachusetts divorce, equitable distribution gives courts broad discretion to divide assets and debts based on the circumstances of the marriage, including income, contributions, future financial needs, and earning capacity.

Seder Law’s latest blog explains how marital property is evaluated, what factors judges consider, and why preparation matters.

Read the full alert on our website: https://sederlaw.com/what-is-equitable-distribution-in-massachusetts-divorce/

Learn how equitable distribution works in Massachusetts divorce, including how courts divide assets, debts, and property fairly.

05/18/2026

When a business files for bankruptcy, creditors still have rights, but timing matters.

From filing proofs of claim to protecting collateral and evaluating Chapter 11 plan terms, early action can make a meaningful difference in recovery.

Seder Law’s latest alert outlines what secured and unsecured creditors should know when a business enters bankruptcy.

Read the full alert on our website: https://sederlaw.com/creditor-rights-in-business-bankruptcy/

04/16/2026

Massachusetts estate tax planning has changed, and many families have not revisited their plans since the updates.

A few points worth knowing:

• The Massachusetts estate tax exemption increased to $2 million (retroactive to January 1, 2023), and includes a $99,600 tax credit.
• The former “cliff effect” is gone, only the amount above $2 million is taxed.
• Out-of-state property can reduce the taxable Massachusetts estate on a proportional basis.
• Proven planning tools still matter, including annual gifting, charitable giving, and trusts that align tax strategy with family goals.

Read the full insight on our website.

04/15/2026

Short-term rentals in Massachusetts are regulated like a business, not a hobby.

Before you list a property for stays under 31 days, confirm you are covered on:

• State registration requirements
• Local zoning and permitting, which can restrict or ban STRs
• Occupancy tax obligations, even if a platform collects some taxes
• HOA or condominium rules, which may be stricter than state or local law
• Liability and safety exposure, from guest injuries to enforcement issues
• Insurance coverage, since many homeowner policies do not cover STR activity

Read the full insight : https://bit.ly/41EcSBd

04/13/2026

Attorney Spotlight: Todd Rodman

Todd Rodman is a Partner in Seder Law’s Real Estate and Land Use practice group and a go-to advisor for clients navigating complex deals, challenging sites, and high-stakes approvals across Central Massachusetts and beyond.

Todd represents a wide range of real estate stakeholders, including individuals, development companies, pension funds, REITs, financial institutions, and nonprofits, in matters involving the acquisition, development, leasing, permitting, construction, and financing of commercial and residential properties.

With an M.S. from MIT in Real Estate Development and Finance, Todd brings a practical, finance-forward approach to every transaction, helping clients align strategy, risk, and results. His experience also includes serving as General Counsel to a regional supermarket and shopping center company, giving him an owner-operator perspective that resonates with business leaders and developers.

Todd’s impact extends well beyond the closing table. He has chaired the Mayor of Worcester’s Ad Hoc Zoning Committee and continues to serve on the Mayor’s Brownfields Committee, alongside leadership and board roles supporting organizations that strengthen the region, including the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, Inc. Bureau and Community Legal Aid.

Connect with Todd: https://lnkd.in/e-h_JaEJ

04/09/2026

If your business receives an IRS audit notice, the outcome often turns on one thing, how well your records support what you filed.

In our latest insight, we break down:

Why businesses get selected for audit (common triggers and inconsistencies)
The three audit types, correspondence, office, and field audits
What documents the IRS typically requests, from bank records to payroll filings and accounting software reports
The most common outcomes, and what to do if you disagree with the findings

Read the full insight on our website: https://sederlaw.com/what-to-expect-from-an-irs-business-audit/