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Questions Answered by Kenesha A Raeford
2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Is it legal to offer a month's free rent to my tenant in my house if they were to leave

Is it legal to offer 1 month free rent for my tenant to leave before their lease is up

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Mar 25, 2024

Yes. It is legal to politely ask your tenant to move out, and also provide an incentive to do so. The actions you are describing are not illegal, so long as the tenant understands the he or she has the right to decline this offer. I suggest drafting up an addendum to the lease agreement, that... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Maryland on
Q: I need to know how to open a business checking account for my LLC, in my unique situation.

So I'm 15 years old and I live in Maryland. I have started an LLC for my soon to open T Shirt business that I'm starting. I formed it as a single member LLC and got my Articles of organization, EIN and all that stuff. My next step was to get a business checking account but I just learned... View More

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Mar 25, 2024

You are correct. You have to be 18 years of age or older to open your own bank account without your parent's authorized as joint account holders. To my knowledge, there are no loopholes to this requirement. To put it simply, there is no way around this without adding your parents to your... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation for Maryland on
Q: Is it legit for a lawyer to ask for a social security number through email?

My boyfriend and I haven't been together that long. He states that he needs someone on his next of kin paperwork. He wants to put me on there. The lawyer emailed me and said that he needs name, address, picture of ID and social security number to run security checks and verification to make... View More

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Feb 22, 2024

Research the law firm and confirm the name, identity, and reputation of the attorney. If it comes back legit, then you have nothing to worry about. You can also search the attorney's name in the Maryland case search to see what kind of cases they have handled (keep in mind not all attorneys... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts for Maryland on
Q: At what point are cancellation fees in a contract unreasonable?

I am involved with a greek organization chapter currently facing a contractual dilemma and am seeking legal advice on how to navigate this situation. Three years ago, an officer, who has since left the chapter, signed a perpetual service agreement with a greek organization management platform. The... View More

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Feb 22, 2024

This is a great question that I think hinges on the contractual defense of unconscionability. This is not the easiest contractual defense to prove, but it appears to be in the ballpark of what you're asking about which is the reasonableness of the contractual terms.

Here's what...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Maryland on
Q: My lawyer is incompetent and is ignoring my calls repeatedly. Is there any recourse or help with this?

Paid 3 thousand dollars for guardianship case for my handicapped brother and it’s turned into an absolute nightmare.

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Feb 20, 2024

If the attorney-client relationship is not repairable due to the attorney, and you have a pending case/guardianship matter, you should contact a competent family lawyer right away. It is possible that if you explain the situation, they will work with you regarding attorney fees. You will want to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I get free legal assistance in selling my fathers inherited house.
Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Feb 20, 2024

Possibly! It truly depends on your situation. There are plenty of free and low-cost legal resources around the Maryland area. I first suggest that you consider reaching out to Maryland Legal Aid. Additionally, the Maryland Court system has catalogued several free and low-cost legal services on... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law, Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Maryland on
Q: Can images created using AI websites be used for small business ideas such selling t-shirts or stickers?

I am looking to possibly start selling stickers and t-shirts online via Etsy. The images I am hoping to use would be created using AI websites. Is this something I am legally allowed to do?

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Jan 29, 2024

This is a great question, and is quite naturally very complex given the ever-changing landscape of technology. Right now, general intellectual property laws that govern internet images are essentially limited to uniquely created imagery and content that is produced by human individuals.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Banking for Maryland on
Q: I have a business account that became dormant and I'm trying to reactivate it and avoid the bank from closing it.

I'm overseas and cannot go to the bank in the U.S. to deal with the problem. I'm worried that they would close my account and issue a check - the problem is that the company name has been changed (and I didn't get to notify the bank) so I cannot deposit the check to a business... View More

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Jan 29, 2024

All of the questions you are asking are specific to policies and procedures that are at the discretion of your banking institution. In other words, whether or not the account is actually dormant, how to prevent the bank from closing the account, and how to ensure it is reactivated, is solely... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Business Law and Employment Discrimination for Maryland on
Q: I worked for a security company who subcontracted from a hospital, they received shift deferential & holiday pay not us

I represent several Security Officers who worked for a security company that subcontracted with the University of Maryland Hospital system. The company received shift deferential and holiday pay. The company does not pay it to officers. I believe that this isn't mandatory in Maryland but... View More

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Jan 22, 2024

Given that your question is one of ethics, this would be difficult to answer from a purely legal perspective. I have to refrain from providing my general opinion, but I will echo your sentiments regarding the mandatory nature of the shift deferential and holiday pay flowdown. Holiday and shift... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Civil Litigation for District of Columbia on
Q: I was kicked out and my phone was taken. It’s under a family plan but all of my information is on it. Can I get it Back?

Im 19 and was forced out my parents house. They took the phone they gifted but because of their own personal reasons, it stood on their family plan. I have my work, phone numbers, things I need. Do I have the right to get the information at least when I go back for my belongings?

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Jan 22, 2024

If you are based in the District of Columbia, the laws of the District will likely control and govern how this question is answered. Essentially, this matter is a mixture of a few different legal principles: Contract Law, D.C. Common Law, and Privacy Rights.

First, family plan agreements...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for District of Columbia on
Q: I am a defendant. I have challenges finding a lawyer as I am not from the USA nor do I reside.

I sent a settlement myself, however, I am unsure of the next steps. How to file an answer, if I have to, and how does the process work after this? Any help would be appreciated.

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Jan 22, 2024

Your issues here, appear to be multi-faceted. Unfortunately, without further information, the assistance that I can provide is limited. It seems that you are in the early stages of defending yourself in a civil action, in a lawsuit that was initiated in Washington, D.C. Given the information you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Maryland on
Q: sample motion to postpone a civil court date (i am defendent/sued for loan) to obtain counsel and gather more evidence
Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Mar 25, 2024

https://www.mdcourts.gov/court-forms/forms/motion-continuance-postponement

If you are in the Circuit Court (As opposed to the district court), you may use this form here and fill in the information based on your case. Simply make arguments directed to the court as to why the date should be...
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