§ 479:28 — Void Unless Continued

I. From and after January 1, 2028, all undischarged mortgages in which the term or maturity date is not stated shall be deemed discharged without the necessity of any further action 35 years from the date of recording of the mortgage, unless an extension of the mortgage, or an acknowledgment or affidavit that the mortgage is not satisfied, is recorded before the expiration of the said 35-year period.
II. From and after January 1, 2028, all undischarged mortgages in which the term or maturity date is stated shall be deemed discharged without the necessity of any further action 5 years from the expiration of the term or the maturity date, unless an extension of the mortgage, or an acknowledgment or affidavit that the mortgage is not satisfied, is recorded before the expiration of the term or maturity date.
III. All extensions, agreements, affidavits, and acknowledgments shall be executed by the mortgagor or mortgagor's heirs, successors or assigns and mortgagee or assignee of record and recorded in the registry of deeds in the county where the land lies. If an extension of the mortgage or an acknowledgment or affidavit that the mortgage is not satisfied is so recorded, such undischarged mortgage shall be deemed discharged without the necessity of any further action 5 years from the expiration of the extension period if stated therein or 5 years from the date of recording of such extension, acknowledgment or affidavit if no extension period is stated therein. Upon the expiration of the applicable time periods provided herein, the undischarged mortgage shall be treated as if it had been properly discharged by the record holder thereof.

Legislative History

1957, 256:1, eff. Sept. 27, 1957. 2025, 157:1, eff. Sept. 5, 2025.