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April 02, 2026 Rain | 40°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  1. General Laws
  2. Part III COURTS, JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND PROCEEDINGS IN CIVIL CASES
  3. Title IV CERTAIN WRITS AND PROCEEDINGS IN SPECIAL CASES
  4. Chapter 256 RECOGNIZANCES FOR DEBTS
  5. Section 1 Form and contents

Section 1

Section 1: Form and contents

Section 1. A person who is competent to contract by bond may subject his person and property to be taken on execution by entering into a recognizance before the superior court in any county, substantially as follows:

Be it remembered that on this day of , of personally appeared before and acknowledged himself to be indebted to of in the sum of to be paid to said on the day of , (or in years, or in months, from this day) with interest from this day; and, if not then paid, to be levied upon his goods, chattels, lands and tenements, and, for want thereof, upon his body. In witness whereof said hath hereto set his hand.

The clause as to the payment of interest may be altered or omitted according to the agreement of the parties; but, unless the recognizance otherwise expressly provides, interest shall be allowed for any delay after the time for payment.