--- title: "The Devil is in the Details: The Case of a Scrivener's Error on a Deed" description: This recent case out of Massachusetts shows how important it is to have error free documents. In the end, Carla lost her case and the proceeds of the property went to MassHealth. image: https://info.wealthcounsel.com/hubfs/blog/ec/document-errors.jpg --- [![WealthCounsel](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WealthCounsel%20Logo%202018/WC-Flag-Logo-Rev.png?width=800&height=93&name=WC-Flag-Logo-Rev.png "WealthCounsel")](https://www.wealthcounsel.com/) ![WealthCounsel Blog](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Header.png?width=2800&name=Blog_Header.png "WealthCounsel Blog") # [The Devil is in the Details: The Case of a Scrivener's Error on a Deed](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/the-devil-is-in-the-details) Jun 8, 2021 12:50:00 PM [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.wealthcounsel.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-devil-is-in-the-details%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.wealthcounsel.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-devil-is-in-the-details%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.wealthcounsel.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-devil-is-in-the-details%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.wealthcounsel.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-devil-is-in-the-details%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=The%20Devil%20is%20in%20the%20Details%3A%20The%20Case%20of%20a%20Scrivener%27s%20Error%20on%20a%20Deed) ![document-errors](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/ec/document-errors.jpg?width=1500&height=1000&name=document-errors.jpg) In 2003, Mary attempted to engage in elder law planning and executed a deed reserving a life estate for herself and giving her daughter, Carla, a remainder interest in the property. However, the wrong address was listed on the deed. In 1989, Mary, at age 65, began receiving Medicaid benefits through MassHealth. She continued receiving these benefits until her death in 2018. At Mary’s death, Carla noticed the mistaken deed and moved a Massachusetts court to reform the deed on the grounds of mutual mistake. Would the court oblige Carla? The court first theorized that it must decide if reforming the deed would impact the state’s estate recovery efforts. In analyzing the case, the court here referred to *Franz v. Franz*, 308 Mass. 262, 266 (1941) and stated “Reformation of deeds generally is proper where (1) both parties had an identical intention as to the terms of the deed; (2) the deed is materially at variance with that intention; and (3) no innocent third parties will be unfairly affected by the reformation.” As to the first element of the test, the state tried to argue that it was impossible to know Mary’s intention as she was now deceased. The court disagreed, pointing to affidavits by both Carla and Mary’s elder law attorney that described Mary’s intention at the time the deed was executed. The court then moved on to analyzing the third element of the reformation test. Would the state be an innocent third party that would be unfairly affected by the reformation? The court first looked at the nature and scope of the state’s interest in the land. G. L. c. 118E, § 31(b) states that the state can recover from a Medicaid recipient’s estate if benefits were provided to a recipient who was 65 years or older as of April 1, 1995. Under state law, “estate” is defined as “all real and personal property and other assets includable in the decedent's probate estate under the General Laws.” The state, of course, argued that a reformation would unfairly affect their estate recovery efforts. The state pointed to *General Builders Supply Co. v. Arlington Co-operative Bank*, 359 Mass. 691, 696 (1971), which specifically mentioned that reformation would not be allowed if it would unfairly impact subsequent lienholders. In the end, Carla lost her case and the proceeds of the property went to MassHealth. The judgment in this case was entered on June 1, 2021. To read the decision, search for Carla Casey’s case [here](https://www.masscourts.org/eservices/home.page.6). The case number is 18 MISC 000620. Don't let errors in your document ruin the legacy of your clients. Elder Docx™ puts a smart and efficient elder law document creation system at your fingertips. [Contact us today](https://www.wealthcounsel.com/contact) to learn about WealthCounsel membership options. Topics: [legal news](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/legal-news) [Elder Law](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/elder-law) Previous Post [![](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/hubfs/petlegacypic.png) ](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/creating-a-legacy-for-your-clients-pet) [Creating a Legacy for Your Client's Pet](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/creating-a-legacy-for-your-clients-pet) Next Post [![](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/hubfs/monthly-recap%20(1).png) ](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/current-developments-in-estate-planning-and-business-law-june-2021) [Current Developments in Estate Planning and Business Law: June 2021](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/current-developments-in-estate-planning-and-business-law-june-2021) ### Post a Comment This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Subscribe to Email Updates - Recent - Popular - Categories ### Lists by Topic - [Estates Planning (345)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/estates-planning) - [Trusts & Estates (153)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/trusts-estates) - [Business Law (147)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/business-law) - [legal news (140)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/legal-news) - [Elder Law (107)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/elder-law) - [Drafting Software (65)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/drafting-software) - [Practice Management (64)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/practice-management) - [Medicaid Planning (55)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/medicaid-planning) - [Continuing Legal Education (51)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/continuing-legal-education) - [Legal Marketing (40)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/legal-marketing) - [Drafting Solutions (32)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/drafting-solutions) - [estate planning (26)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/estate-planning) - [business planning (17)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/business-planning) - [Special Needs Planning (15)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/special-needs-planning) - [trust administration (12)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/trust-administration) - [trusts (12)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/trusts) - [estate planning practice (10)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/estate-planning-practice) - [tax planning (9)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/tax-planning) - [COVID-19 (7)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/covid-19) - [Veterans Benefits (7)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/veterans-benefits) - [SECURE Act (6)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/secure-act) - [RLT (5)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/rlt) - [Taxation (5)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/taxation) - [legal technology (5)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/legal-technology) - [small businesses (5)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/small-businesses) - [client relationships (4)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/client-relationships) - [DAPT (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/dapt) - [Decanting (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/decanting) - [GRATs (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/grats) - [LLCs (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/llcs) - [PPP (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/ppp) - [SLATs (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/slats) - [real property (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/real-property) - [Build Back Better Act (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/build-back-better-act) - [Buy-sell agreement (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/buy-sell-agreement) - [Cryptocurrency (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/cryptocurrency) - [GST (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/gst) - [Gift and Estate Tax Exemption (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/gift-and-estate-tax-exemption) - [Gifting (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/gifting) - [Grantor Trusts (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/grantor-trusts) - [IRA Planning (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/ira-planning) - [Retirement Planning (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/retirement-planning) - [Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/tax-cuts-and-jobs-act) - [children (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/children) - [digital assets (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/digital-assets) - [estate tax exemption (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/estate-tax-exemption) - [ethics (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/ethics) - [income tax planning (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/income-tax-planning) - [joint property (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/joint-property) - [malpractice (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/malpractice) - [separate property (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/separate-property) - [Dynasty Trust (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/dynasty-trust) - [Gift Tax (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/gift-tax) - [NFTs (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/nfts) - [Standalone retirement trusts (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/standalone-retirement-trusts) - [Stepped-Up Basis (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/stepped-up-basis) - [asset protection (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/asset-protection) - [capital gains (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/capital-gains) - [legacy planning (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/legacy-planning) - [pet planning (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/pet-planning) - [spendthrift trust (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/spendthrift-trust) - [succession planning (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/succession-planning) - [trust decanting (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/trust-decanting) - [trust situs (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/trust-situs) [see all](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/the-devil-is-in-the-details#) ### Posts by Topic - [Estates Planning (345)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/estates-planning) - [Trusts & Estates (153)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/trusts-estates) - [Business Law (147)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/business-law) - [legal news (140)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/legal-news) - [Elder Law (107)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/elder-law) - [Drafting Software (65)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/drafting-software) - [Practice Management (64)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/practice-management) - [Medicaid Planning (55)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/medicaid-planning) - [Continuing Legal Education (51)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/continuing-legal-education) - [Legal Marketing (40)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/legal-marketing) - [Drafting Solutions (32)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/drafting-solutions) - [estate planning (26)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/estate-planning) - [business planning (17)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/business-planning) - [Special Needs Planning (15)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/special-needs-planning) - [trust administration (12)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/trust-administration) - [trusts (12)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/trusts) - [estate planning practice (10)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/estate-planning-practice) - [tax planning (9)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/tax-planning) - [COVID-19 (7)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/covid-19) - [Veterans Benefits (7)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/veterans-benefits) - [SECURE Act (6)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/secure-act) - [RLT (5)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/rlt) - [Taxation (5)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/taxation) - [legal technology (5)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/legal-technology) - [small businesses (5)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/small-businesses) - [client relationships (4)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/client-relationships) - [DAPT (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/dapt) - [Decanting (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/decanting) - [GRATs (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/grats) - [LLCs (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/llcs) - [PPP (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/ppp) - [SLATs (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/slats) - [real property (3)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/real-property) - [Build Back Better Act (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/build-back-better-act) - [Buy-sell agreement (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/buy-sell-agreement) - [Cryptocurrency (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/cryptocurrency) - [GST (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/gst) - [Gift and Estate Tax Exemption (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/gift-and-estate-tax-exemption) - [Gifting (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/gifting) - [Grantor Trusts (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/grantor-trusts) - [IRA Planning (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/ira-planning) - [Retirement Planning (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/retirement-planning) - [Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/tax-cuts-and-jobs-act) - [children (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/children) - [digital assets (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/digital-assets) - [estate tax exemption (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/estate-tax-exemption) - [ethics (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/ethics) - [income tax planning (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/income-tax-planning) - [joint property (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/joint-property) - [malpractice (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/malpractice) - [separate property (2)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/separate-property) - [Dynasty Trust (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/dynasty-trust) - [Gift Tax (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/gift-tax) - [NFTs (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/nfts) - [Standalone retirement trusts (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/standalone-retirement-trusts) - [Stepped-Up Basis (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/stepped-up-basis) - [asset protection (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/asset-protection) - [capital gains (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/capital-gains) - [legacy planning (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/legacy-planning) - [pet planning (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/pet-planning) - [spendthrift trust (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/spendthrift-trust) - [succession planning (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/succession-planning) - [trust decanting (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/trust-decanting) - [trust situs (1)](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/topic/trust-situs) [see all](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/the-devil-is-in-the-details#) ## [**](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/the-devil-is-in-the-details#) [**](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/the-devil-is-in-the-details#) [**](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/the-devil-is-in-the-details#)   © 2024, WealthCounsel, L.L.C. | All Rights Reserved | [Terms of Service](https://www.wealthcounsel.com/terms-of-service) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.wealthcounsel.com/privacy-policy) | [Site Map](https://www.wealthcounsel.com/sitemap) 3 2nd Street, Suite 803, Jersey City, NJ 07302 T: [833-609-5658](tel:833-609-5658)  [information@wealthcounsel.com](mailto:information@wealthcounsel.com)   [[fa icon="chevron-up"]](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/blog/the-devil-is-in-the-details#) [![WealthCounsel](https://info.wealthcounsel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WealthCounsel%20Logo%202018/WC-Flag-Logo-Rev.png?width=800&height=93&name=WC-Flag-Logo-Rev.png "WealthCounsel")](https://www.wealthcounsel.com/) ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/974839099/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0)