Veterans' Agent v. Choiniere

On January 15, 1959, Greenfield (the town), pursuant to G. L. c. 115, § 5A, recorded in the registry of deeds a notice of lien based upon benefits paid to the dependent mother of a veteran against specified real estate in the town. On September 20,1979 (after the recipient of the benefits had died), the Commissioner of Veterans’ Services gave to the town’s veterans’ agent permission to enforce the lien on the real estate (then held by a devisee of the veteran’s mother) in accordance with § 5A, as then in effect.

On October 17, 1979, the veterans’ agent filed in the Superior Court a complaint…