its a bit complicated, the car title and tags are in my name, the person I had an agreement with has disappeared and I can't locate the car. I don't want to be responsible for the expenses if the car is towed to the county lot.
answered on Mar 15, 2024
Unless the agreement included a date the person was to return the car back to you, and they deliberately failed to do so with the intent to deprive you of the vehicle, then there is no crime to report (theft or unauthorized use of a motor vehicle), so going to the police will not likely help,... View More
They exposed my SS# and other private info. What recourse do I have?
answered on Mar 15, 2024
Perhaps there is a federal or state governmental agency that has regulatory authority to impose a fine or other sanction for failing to safeguard employees’ personally identifiable information. You would need to consult an employment lawyer in your area as to the existence of such a legal... View More
Concrete sidewalk/steps/handrails installed - paid in full $3900. MAJOR issues with the work and home inspection deemed all of work unsafe. Every other contractor said all concrete had to be removed and redone - basically start from scratch. Total paid to redo - $7100. Filed claim and have... View More
answered on Mar 2, 2024
The regulations governing the adjudication of claims against the Guaranty Fund specify the formulas to be used by the Commission when calculating an award for actual loss from the Guaranty Fund:
Unless it determines that a particular claim requires a unique measurement, the Commission shall... View More
My husband and his father are on the deed to his father's house. His father died but the will says that all 3 kids get the estate. So that would mean all 3 kids would be on the deed when he passes. Since my husband was originally on the deed before he died, does that mean it's officially... View More
answered on Mar 2, 2024
If the deed is owned as joint tenants, then your husband is now the sole owner and the house is not an asset of his father’s estate, so it doesn’t matter what the Will says.
If the deed is owned as tenants in common, then your husband now owns 50% of the house outright, and the other... View More
Employer made me sign a contract and said I have to ask and be approved to work at another business within the same industry (flight instruction). There is a termination fee of $2500 if I breach the contract or quit before 12 months working for them.
answered on Feb 25, 2024
I do not believe either provision in your contract is enforceable. The financial “penalty” of $2,500 smacks of an unenforceable penalty; however, if it is tied to an actual out-of-pocket cost to the employer, such as reimbursement for a paid training course the employer incurred to train you in... View More
I own a fully paid house in Rockville MD. I want to sell it to my mom but also have her put it into a trust with me as the beneficiary. Can I transfer the deed directly into her trust, or does the title first need to be transferred to my mom before she can transfer it into her trust?
answered on Feb 25, 2024
Before you do this, consult an estate planning lawyer! First, you would be making a gift to your mother in excess of the federal gift tax exclusion for a single donee in one year, which may not be of any consequence depending on the total value of your estate by the time you die, but it will also... View More
I plead in 2023 and won't be attending law school until 2027. That was my first time and last ever getting in trouble. It was an overall abusive 7 year relationship from HS until our early 20's; Verbally/emotionally from me and physically from my girlfriend. Only reason I decided to plead... View More
answered on Mar 2, 2024
I believe you mean a “probation before judgment” — there is nothing called a “pre-trial before judgment.” If you received a PBJ, then you will be eligible to expunge the record of the offenses from any background check. The date you can file for expungement is three years after your... View More
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
answered on Feb 25, 2024
There is caselaw on this issue in Maryland, and as always, every case and contract turns on its peculiar facts and contract terms. If the cancellation fee (called “liquidated damages” in the law) exceeds a reasonable estimate of actual damages incurred, then it may be deemed an unenforceable... View More
CR.5.612 Charge description: CDS possession-large amount
CR.5.602 Charge Description: CDS possession W/I Distribute Narc
answered on Feb 17, 2024
They do not merge because the two offenses have separate elements, specifically, the possession of over a specific weight or amount of CDS is a separate element of that offense, which is not present in the possession with intent to distribute charge, if it does not contain the same enhancement... View More
Landlord is asking me to vacate property by February 29, 2024
answered on Feb 17, 2024
Rental license laws are local to the county (or City of Baltimore) where you live, and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Without knowing your location it is difficult to be clear on what laws apply. Also, the type of rental unit matters. Renting a room in someone’s house with a common... View More
I hired a Virginia-based company to repair a leak in my home. I asked if they were licensed to work in Maryland, and they said they were, but the document they provided me says "Out-of-state contractor (not for home improvement)," and neither the business trade name nor any of the... View More
answered on Feb 17, 2024
Performing a home improvement without a license is a criminal offense in Maryland, and the civil courts will not enforce the contract for the contractor. In other words, the contractor cannot legally accept payment, or sue you if you don’t pay, so no, you do not have to pay. I would immediately... View More
I was recorded on video tape taking a tablet at the gym. I returned it.
the tablet has been there for over a week I thought it was a forgotten item.
Can the video be posted? On social media
answered on Feb 17, 2024
You were in a publicly accessible place, not in a place where you had an expectation of privacy. So yes, it could be posted. However, if the posting intentionally or suggestively puts you in a false light, such as accusing you of being a thief, you might have a defamation of character claim, and... View More
What type of penalties might I face or right to back out at this point in the process?
answered on Feb 17, 2024
The obvious one is forfeiture of your earnest money deposit (EMD). It is possible you would be sued to specifically enforce the contract and force you to buy it, but that is a long expensive suit that will tie up the sale until it’s over and the seller would prefer to just sell their home—so... View More
is 473,300. How much would the estate tax be? I live in Md
answered on Feb 17, 2024
If this is the primary asset and all estate assets are being distributed to a spouse or lineal heirs (children, grandchildren, siblings, parents) there are no inheritance taxes, and no estate tax for estates having a value below $5,000,000. For calculating estate value for estate tax purposes,... View More
Reconsideration within 90 days I was ordered to pay restitution which that will be paid off within 90 days what is my chance of convincing the judge to switch the guilty plea to a PBJ and what is my chances I am trying to change my life and this charge is preventing me from getting another charge... View More
answered on Feb 1, 2024
Need to know more about your other charges and criminal history. But ordinarily, there is a reasonable expectation that a judge will grant reconsideration and convert your guilty conviction to a PBJ, assuming you perform well on probation and comply with all conditions. If this sentence just... View More
Defendant arrested for suspicion of DUI & taken into custody to police station. Arresting officer advised rights on form DR-15 to submit to test but defendant didn’t sign right away handcuffed to table. Observation period 20-30 minutes.. Breath tech officer asked defendant “are you going to... View More
answered on Feb 1, 2024
Unless you made incriminating statements, there’s nothing to suppress. Review the evidence in the case with your lawyer. If there’s a basis to file a motion, then it can be filed. I’m not reading anything in your post to support such a motion. Nor am I reading anything in your post to suggest... View More
Example - driving a car from Florida, where it has legal but dark tint, through a state like PA, where no addition tint is aloud.
Would it make a difference if your driving on an interstate highway? vs. local roads?
PA laws are typically written. No vehicle shall operate... or no... View More
answered on Feb 7, 2024
Unless Pennsylvania has adopted a policy not to issue citations to out-of-state registered vehicles with legal equipment that would be illegal in PA, then you may have to fight it all the way to the US Supeme Court, and test the application of the law to you under the Equal Protection Clause, the... View More
answered on Jan 24, 2024
Depends on the law of the state where you want to move the LLC to, and what you are actually looking to achieve. There are four options: (1) keep the MD registration and simply register to do business in the other state as a foreign registered LLC; (2) dissolve the MD LLC and create a new LLC in... View More
He was uncomfortable with making the decision and pleaded his innocence but intimidation by his own council made him sign a deal.
answered on Jan 23, 2024
Pursuant to Maryland Rule 4-242(h):
(h) Withdrawal of Plea. At any time before sentencing, the court may permit a defendant to withdraw a plea of guilty, a conditional plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere when the withdrawal serves the interest of justice. After the imposition of... View More
As part of my divorce, my ex-husband agreed and was part of the judge's decree, that he would pay me 10% of his military pension until one of us died. This took effect in 1997, however, I have not received an increase since then. (He sends the monthly check directly to me; it is not through... View More
answered on Jan 14, 2024
If you were married at least ten years during the time that your ex was in the military, then you can get the pension award issued in the form of a special court order served on the military to receive direct (and retroactive) payment of what you are owed. Either way you will need to file a motion... View More
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