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Questions Answered by Mark Oakley
1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Wrongful Death for Maryland on
Q: On August 21, my sister was in a house fire and passed. I found a defective lighter in her truck. Two exploded out of 5

my question is the fire report said it was careless smoking and won’t even hear me when I’m trying to tell them that it had to have been a defective lighter since I found one in her truck and since bought three more and have had to blow up in my face. Due to the fire report and the fact that... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Nov 25, 2024

What you describe is pure guess, conjecture and speculation. You do not identify any hard evidence that a lighter (a) exploded in her home; or (b) was the cause of the fire that killed your sister.

The fact that it could have happened that way doesn’t mean it did. The fact that other...
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1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander for Maryland on
Q: What is the Maryland Code for defamation?
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Nov 25, 2024

The only code section relating to defamation is the statute of limitations applicable to commencement of suit, which is one year from the date of publication of the defamatory statement. MD Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings, § 5-105

As for the law of defamation, that is found in the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for Maryland on
Q: where can i find the procedural regulations governing the MD board of social work?

I am looking specifically for the laws/regulations that the Maryland BSWE must follow when investigating a complaint against a social worker. I am also looking for the personal rights of respondents involved in complaint investigations through the board of social work.

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Nov 25, 2024

There is the Maryland Health Occupations Code, which sets forth the statutory laws respecting social workers and the Board’s creation and responsibilities and powers.

The Board is empowered to draft and adopt regulations to carry out its purposes under the law. Agency regulations are all...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Maryland on
Q: My ex-husband passed away this year. Am I entitled to any of his benefits, such as life ins, pension or social security?

My ex-husband passed away this year. We were married for nine years and divorced in 2008. We both are 52 years old. My ex-husband has adult children and no will. Am I entitled to any of his benefits, such as life insurance, pension or social security? I was listed as the beneficiary on all... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Nov 25, 2024

Upon divorce, each spouse is automatically removed by law as a beneficiary under their ex-spouse’s estate, even if they are named in a will at the time of the divorce. So you are not entitled to any distribution under your ex spouse’s estate.

In order for an ex-spouse to qualify for a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Maryland on
Q: I was listed as a heir to someone who died interstate there over 50 relieves on that list it was my bio moms first cousi

Why would I only get 0.48 of percent and another first cousin once removed get 3.33 percent and there is a first cousin twice removed getting 1.67 percent my mother was also deceased also my sisters cold was listed as a heir but my child was not I live in ca the case is in md

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Nov 25, 2024

When someone dies without a will, their estate is divided among the relatives of the deceased, but that does not mean every blood relative gets an equal share. For instance, if someone dies and never had children and both parents were deceased, but they had four siblings, then their estate gets... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: The police are saying I am stalking them and following them on different calls and talked to my mom at our house

They asked my mom if she has a son and said that they got harassing phone calls from this address last year and that he keeps on following us to different calls if it keeps on happening they will file charges

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Nov 12, 2024

I suggest you contact a criminal defense lawyer and discuss this matter, and your conection to it, off-line and in private. Do not post any other facts on this public forum or you risk disclosing incriminating information if, in fact, you are behind any of the activities described by the police.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I have my husband removed from the house if it is both our names, he refuses to work, he is verbally abusive

He has an untreated undiagnosed mental illness, he has not worked in a year, he is verbal, emotional, financial abusive to both me and kids

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Nov 11, 2024

It is possible to do so as part of your divorce, but that would be up to the judge after trial unless the two of you agree to remove him from the deed as part of a settlement of your divorce and all property and support issues. Ordinarily, the marital home is either bought out by one spouse paying... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: I was just caught shoplifting $100.50 from Target. They have proof that I have done so before. The security director

told the responding officer that he was going to investigate for more instances. I was told this is a theft scheme charge in Maryland. Each incident would been well under $500 over the last few months. I have zero prior charges other than a dui more than a decade ago. I am a known and respected... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Nov 11, 2024

I doubt they can meet the legal standard for proving theft scheme. Each one they might be able to identify and prove would more than likely be deemed separate independent incidents of theft, all misdemeanors. Theft scheme is simply a way to try to turn a series of misdemeanors into a felony, but... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Maryland on
Q: Do you all prepare legal deeds? I want to assume the loan to my late father's home and need a drafted deed
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Nov 11, 2024

The only likely scenario where you can continue paying the existing mortgage on your deceased father's home without replacing (refinancing) it, is if you are your father's heir and are receiving the house as part of his estate distribution. In that scenario, the law allows an heir in the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Contracts for Maryland on
Q: In Maryland, is a contract with a contractor valid if both parties have not signed it?

The contract is for repairs to my home.

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Oct 24, 2024

If no work has been performed or materuials ordered, then you can cancel and disavow the contract without penalty. If you've paid the initial deposit, and the contractor has commenced work or ordered materials, then you have partial performance and either side can argue the contract has been... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: I am considering selling my home. My husband passed in 2020. I am on the deed, but not the mortgage.

I have been confirmed as the Successor in Interest by the mortgage company.

We did not have a will when my husband passed. Could you explain what I need to do in order to

sell the property. I need to downsize because the property is over 3200 square feet and it is becoming... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Oct 24, 2024

I assume you held title as "tenants by the entireties" (TbyE) which is the default ownership of husband and wife, or as "joint tenants" (JT). In either scenario, you became the sole owner of the property by operation of law upon your husband's death.

The only...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Maryland on
Q: Is there a case in Maryland were the Grandparents filed for visitation while one parent was incarcerated, and they won?
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Oct 16, 2024

Maryland Family Law Code 9-102 allows for grandparent visitation in the best interest of the child; however, it is limited by the Cnstitutional rights of the biological parents to control decisions regarding their children. The Supreme Court of Maryland (formerly called the Maryland Court of... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Can I sue my father

My mother passed away in July. She was in housing. My father lived with her but was never on the lease. I paid her rent for July and August he hasn’t paid for September or October. The company that she was leasing with said she is still responsible for the apartment since she allowed him to have... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Oct 16, 2024

Your mother does not owe anything, and neither do you. Your mother's estate would be the only possible entity that owes anything to a creditor. The landlord is now a creditor of the estate, assuming that your mother's death did not automatically terminate the lease and end the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: How do I respond to a land partioning/sale petition filed against me MD? I no longer am the owner. Sold land.

How do I respond to a land partioning/sale petition filed against me MD? I no longer am the owner. Sold land. I sold the land to my company and later sold my company and the vacant land was apart of that transaction. The person who filed the complaint never put any money and has never paid any... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Oct 16, 2024

The only way a person can file a sale in lieu of partition suit is if they are on the deed to the property, or if they have a legal agreement assigning them an interest in the property signed by the person named on the deed; however, if the latter is the case, and the agreement was never recorded... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Maryland on
Q: Can a lawsuit assume a trust if a co-trustee is sued?

My sister has defaulted on a contract. I fear she is to be sued. She is co-trustee along with my Mother and myself of an account that pays for Mothers residential care. If sued will the party have access to the trust? Should we remove my sister's name from the trust to be able to assure... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Oct 3, 2024

No, the assets of the trust cannot be attached or reached based upon a judgment entered against a trustee, who is not also the grantor of the trust, and who otherwise has no discretionary right to make distributions from the trust to herself for any reason. In your description, I assume your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law for Maryland on
Q: Is it probable cause to search car due to previous search of car, Marijuana found about a month before it became legal.

Hello, I was taking my fiance to work today and got pulled over by a sheriff for Suspended Registration. My License was found to be suspended also. They sent the court date to the wrong address. The sheriff took my info and went back to his car. Another cop pulled up with a k-9. The original... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Oct 1, 2024

No, the prior incident does not provide probable cause to search your vehicle in this incident. The remedy for an illegal search is suppression of the evidence at trial if you were charged with a criminal offense based on what they found.

If they found nothing, and you are just upset...
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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Civil Rights and Employment Discrimination for Maryland on
Q: What form do I use to file an Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress lawsuit?
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Oct 1, 2024

If you are suing for not more than $30,000 and do not want a jury trial, then you can file in District Court (trials are before a judge only), and you can use a District Court civil complaint form, and check the "tort" box. The forms are available online or at the courthouse. It's... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Small Claims for Maryland on
Q: What is the legal interest rate I can charge to collect money awarded to me in a civil case in Montgomery Co, MD?
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Sep 29, 2024

From the date of judgment, interest accrues at the statutory legal rate on the principal judgment amount at 10% per annum, simple interest (meaning, you cannot charge interest on the unpaid accrued interest). Simply multiply the judgment awarded by 0.10, then divide by 365 to get the daily rate.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: Is it legal to smuggle legal substances into a rehab that prohibits certain items? Kratom, alcohol, phenibut... ECT?

Substances federally and state legal. *Smuggling in for someone*

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Sep 29, 2024

Rehab facilities are typically private entities and what you can bring in is a matter of contract and following the facility’s rules. That would be strictly a civil matter. State and federal facilities may of statutory and regulatory rules in place, intentional violation of which could perhaps be... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for Maryland on
Q: How can I convert a felony to a probation before judgment (PBJ) myself?

I was charged with a felony of theft in January of 2021 and placed on unsupervised probation for 18 months. I have not gotten into any trouble since then and finally ended my probation in July of 2023. During my journey to be a better person, I want to be the best mother I can be for my children... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Sep 24, 2024

You are posting this from Atlanta, GA, marked as "federal crimes in Maryland."

First, you have directed your question to the Maryland section of the site, so you will only receive advice regarding the law in Maryland. If your case originates in Georgia where you are posting,...
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