# Insights | Dunn & Phillips, P.C.

> Plain-language guidance on Massachusetts law from the attorneys of Dunn & Phillips, P.C.

[Canonical page](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/)

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Insights

# Blog

Plain-language guidance on the questions we hear most often. General information, not legal advice.

[Practice area insights](#practice-areas) Practice area insights

## Guidance by practice area

Long-form plain-language guidance, grouped by the area it covers.

[Civil Litigation](#area-civil-litigation)[Other](#area-other)[Personal Injury](#area-personal-injury)[Probate & Estate Planning](#area-probate-estate-planning)[Real Estate](#area-real-estate)

### Civil Litigation

[June 2, 2026 #### Facing a Business or Contract Dispute in Massachusetts? Start Here A practical guide to your first moves when a deal goes wrong, from preserving evidence to understanding your options short of a lawsuit.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/business-contract-disputes)

### Other

[June 24, 2026 #### Pioneer Valley From Springfield to Northampton to Greenfield: the communities of the Pioneer Valley, and how a Western Massachusetts firm helps across all three counties.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/pioneer-valley)

### Personal Injury

[May 20, 2026 #### What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Car Accident in Massachusetts The steps you take right after a crash can protect your health and your claim. Here is a clear, plain-language guide for the first day.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/car-accident-first-steps)

### Probate & Estate Planning

[May 19, 2026 #### Do You Even Need Probate in Massachusetts If There's a Will? A will does not skip probate; it directs it. Whether your family needs a full probate in Massachusetts depends less on the will and more on how the property was titled. Here are the lighter paths and what passes outside court.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/do-i-need-probate)[April 30, 2026 #### What Does an Executor Actually Do in Massachusetts? Being named to settle a loved one's estate is an honor and a real responsibility. Here is what the role, called a personal representative in Massachusetts, involves.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/what-an-executor-does)[March 28, 2026 #### Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney: The Documents Everyone Needs These two documents protect you while you are alive, not just your estate after. Here is what each one does in Massachusetts, and why every adult should have them.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/health-care-proxy-and-poa)[March 10, 2026 #### Do I Need a Will If I Don't Own Much? A common question with a clear answer. Even modest estates benefit from a will and a few basic documents in Massachusetts.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/do-i-need-a-will)

### Real Estate

[June 15, 2026 #### How a Massachusetts Real Estate Closing Works, Start to Finish A plain-language guide to a Massachusetts closing: the seven stages from offer to recording, what to expect on closing day, and the homestead tip worth real money.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/how-a-closing-works)[May 6, 2026 #### Do I Need a Closing Attorney to Buy a Home in Massachusetts? Massachusetts handles real estate closings differently from many states. Here is who the closing attorney represents, and why buyers often want their own counsel.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/do-i-need-a-closing-attorney)[April 15, 2026 #### Five Things to Check Before You Sign a Purchase and Sale Agreement The purchase and sale agreement, not the offer, sets the real terms of your home purchase. Here is what to review before you sign.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog/purchase-and-sale-checklist)