When I was home, though, I logged into my Facebook account and freely shared my consumer opinions, likes and dislikes with thousands of advertisers.

This may not be news to the half billion users of Facebook’s website, but highlights the foundation upon which the company built its initial public offering (IPO) which was announced this week.  The company earns 85% of its $3.7 Billion revenue from advertisers who prey upon the information freely provided by Facebook’s users.

Facebook created a carefree market research engine as an alternative to weary methods of telephone polling and public surveys.  Facebook is essentially a global focus group of users who speak openly and honestly behind the proverbial mirrored glass.  Advertisers are allowed to peer into these conversations, while Facebook organizes and delivers the much valued consumer information.

In light of the IPO, which will give Facebook millions of new owners, Facebook users are encouraged to periodically check their privacy settings.  You may be surprised at what information is available for public consumption, and what advertiser alliances you have already created.  In the meantime, feel free to “like” my Facebook fan page named the “Haroutunian Law Office”.  LOL

I needed to prove that the LLC is currently operating and complied with procedural rules governing Mass. companies.  Namely, I had to show the LLC hasn’t been dissolved, filed its annual reports and paid all fees.  To prove this, an original stamped certificate had to be obtained from the Secretary of the Commonwealth in Boston.

In Boston, the clerk accessed a state computer’s database records to confirm the LLC was in good standing.  She then printed the certificate for me.  I drove this document into Cambridge where a clerk at the Registry of Deeds scanned the certificate into another state computer’s database.

From one state government’s computer system to another, this exercise highlights an antiquated and redundant system.  Though this process is longstanding, perhaps network technology has advanced to allow a more efficient solution.  Two divisions of the government’s executive branch could easily share records to streamline this frustrating procedure.  Until that day, I will try to enjoy my trips into the city.

In 1986, the company’s owner, Sally Daher gave the company (and its locked safe) to her relatives.  No key existed and nobody could open the safe.  So, the safe was abandoned in Lawrence parking lot.  In 2008, firefighters discovered the safe, and used their equipment to break it open, finding $178,496 inside.

In court, Daher’s relatives and the tow truck driver who moved the safe to the Lawrence parking lot, fought for ownership of the safe’s contents.  But the Judge decided: “Sally Daher is the true and rightful owner of all right, title, and interest in $178,496 found in the Daher Shoe safe”.

As such, the Massachusetts Division of Medical Assistance was allowed to recover this money to payback nursing care funds paid on behalf of Mrs. Daher.

Puritans who immigrated to Massachusetts to build a new life had several reason for disliking Christmas.  It reminded them of the Church of England and the old-world customs, they were trying to escape.  Christmas wasn’t considered a wholly religious day as December 25th wasn’t widely recognized as Christ’s birth date until several centuries after his death.  The holiday celebration mainly included drinking and feasting – things which the Puritans frowned upon.

One such tradition, “wassailing” entailed people of a lower economic class visiting wealthy community members and begging, or demanding, food and drink.  If a host refused, they faced the threat of retribution.

As a result, the strict community passed the following mandate quoted from the records of the General Court, Massachusetts Bay Colony - May 11, 1659:

“For preventing disorders, arising in several places within this jurisdiction by reason of some still observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other communities, to the great dishonor of God and offense of others: it is therefore ordered by this court and the authority thereof that whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas or the like, either by forbearing of labor, feasting, or any other way, upon any such account as aforesaid, every such person so offending shall pay for every such offence five shilling as a fine to the county.”

In 1659, the ban became official. The General Court banned the celebration of Christmas and other such holidays at the same time it banned gambling and other lawless behavior, grouping all such behaviors together. The court placed a fine of five shillings on anyone caught feasting or celebrating the holiday in another manner.

The ban was revoked in 1681 by an English-appointed governor Sir Edmund Andros, who also revoked a Puritan ban against festivities on Saturday night.

Background movie actors earn $142.00 per 8 hour day of work.  The 9th and 10th hour worked earns “time and a half”.  From the 11th to the 16th hour, pay is “doubled”.  The unfortunate actor working over 16 hours in a day receives a “full day of pay” for each hour after the 16th.

When working in “hazardous” situations, slight pay increases apply.  Actors required to get wet (including rain) receive an additional $14.00, unless wearing swimming or surfing gear.

Amazingly, if a scene requires an actor to maintain his own facial hair, he earns an additional $18.00.

Use your own car, and earn $35.00 more per day.  Film a scene with your pet, and get $23.00 extra.  Use your skis or golf clubs in the movie and get $12.00 extra.

My favorite additional compensation comes if lunch is delayed.  Penalties for late meals earn a hungry actor up to $12.50 extra.  Trust me, you do not want to miss the meals at the craft service table.  I enjoyed a soft shell crab sandwich along with glazed roast pork.

For those aspiring actors ready to quit their day job, sign up with www.bostoncasting.com.  There you will find postings for commercials, TV shows and occasional movies being filmed in Massachusetts.

Answer: This issue has been litigated many times in the past.  Whether or not you are allowed to pave over the underground easement rights of a utility company relies upon the concept of “detrimental interference”.

Detrimental interference is an action by a landowner that results in a material increase in the cost or inconvenience to the easement holder.  If the utility company needs to access the lines under your ground, will their cost be materially increased to dig through your pavement?

In 1979, a Massachusetts appeals court ruled in favor of the landowner by deciding the cost and inconvenience of digging through pavement is not automatically deemed detrimental to the easement holder.

In 2005, a young family sought my help with their purchase of a home in Billerica.  Gleeful to move their family to the suburbs, the couple paid top dollar at the height of the real estate market.   Their first and second mortgage carried temporarily fixed rates.  The couple, assumed they would simply refinance when the rate changed in a few years.  After the market crash of 2007, this was no longer an option.

To keep up with payments, each spouse took multiple jobs.  This worked for a couple of years.  Financial stress ultimately took a toll on the couple, leading to separation.  The couple moved out of the home, leaving it in disrepair, while the banks began foreclosure.  As a last alternative, the broken family turned to a Realtor to help with a short sale.  By avoiding foreclosure, a short sale would minimize credit damage.

The realtor struck a deal with a new young couple, eager to rehab the house.  Aggressive negotiation ensued with both banks, until they reduced the amount of their debt.  This took months of hard work, during which the dilapidated house caught the eye of the local Board of Health.  The Realtor valiantly absorbed threats from local officials and ire from neighbors.

Further calamity struck, when pipes froze and burst in the house, causing major damage.  The Realtor literally and figuratively bailed out the property by negotiating a major price reduction.  After seven months of struggle, the house finally sold.  The former owners now close the curtain on six tumultuous years, starting their lives over separately.

Meanwhile, a new young couple enters the home to improve the neighborhood blight left in the resulting wake.  As I write this column, a dumpster is being dropped at the property to begin the clean out.

What awaits this new couple?  Will their next six years offer greater opportunity without being saddled by high housing costs?  The house remains the same, but will the story change in a more optimistic economy?

Attorney James Haroutunian practices real estate estate planning and probate law in Billerica at 630 Boston Road.  Contact him with questions at www.hlawoffice.com, 978-671-0711 or email him at james@hlawoffice.com.

 Answer:    Certain financial transactions require special security precautions.  Businesses are very conscious of identity fraud when their stocks are transferred by stockholders.  As a means to guarantee against forgery, medallion signature guarantee programs were implemented by financial institutions, banks and credit unions.  This way, one institution can rely upon the identity verification made by another.

For example, you hold an account with a local bank, which allows them to guarantee your identity to the financial institution handling the transfer of your stock.  If the two companies belong to the same medallion program, they can rely upon each other’s guarantee.  This verification process is seen as stronger than a simple notarization, because of the guarantee involved.

Most local banks or credit unions offer the ability to handle your medallion guarantee needs.  Call ahead of time to be sure the agent is free to perform your signature guarantee.  While a nominal fee may be charged, many institutions offer the service as a courtesy to their customers.

A list of participating financial organizations can be found online at www.stai.org.

Attorney James Haroutunian practices real estate, estate planning and business law in Billerica at 630 Boston Rd and can be reached with questions at 978-671-0711 or via email: James@hlawoffice.com.  

Answer:     I get annoyed when someone simply looks over my shoulder during a conversation, scanning the room for the next conversation. I am deeply disturbed by your Realtor’s similar behavior.  Your Realtor is acting unethically by putting her personal interest above yours. Her actions could jeopardize her license. Further, if her unreasonable demands kill the deal with your buyer, you can file a lawsuit for her interference with your contract. Simply put, her business should stay separate from your business.

Though it may be somewhat common for a realtor to list a subsequent property sale, such arrangements should remain separate from the deal at hand. Your realtor works for you and should be indepentently on your side. Too much influence can be exerted by a buyer who dangles the carrot of a new listing before a Realtor

Obtain a lawyer immediately to step in to your transaction and work with the buyer’s lawyer directly. Given her persistance and frightening suggestion that you take a low offer in place of the current deal, your Realtor’s trustworthiness is compromised. She needs to be watched heading forward and possibly barred from your transaction to prevent any sabotage.

Attorney James Haroutunian practices real estate, estate planning and business law in Billerica at 630 Boston Rd and can be reached with questions at 978-671-0711 or via email: James@hlawoffice.com