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I have a 50/50 custody agreement with my child's other parent, where we have 3 days on and 3 days off. The child's mother uses daycare for her custodial days because of her work requirements. However, I do not need daycare during my custodial days. There is no provision in our custody... View More
I'm planning to start a sole proprietorship in Maryland, providing video production services from my home. I deeply value privacy and want to keep my home address private. The filing website mentions that a P.O. Box cannot be used. Can I use a registered agent to maintain my privacy? Are there... View More
I received a traffic ticket for allegedly violating Maryland State Law Transportation Article Section 21-202.1 by making a right turn at a red light without stopping. The intersection at New Hampshire Ave and Holton Ln did not have any signs prohibiting turns on red or requiring a stop before... View More

answered on Mar 26, 2025
Yes, you are at fault. ALL red lights require a full stop, even those where by law you are allowed to make a right turn. The right turn is allowed after you stop. You were treating a right turn on a red light as if you had a green right turn arrow. That isn't the law.
I live in Maryland and want to send an email to a former friend whom I haven't contacted in years after she blocked me. I want to apologize, wish her well, and discuss something personal to get it off my chest. I'm concerned about potential legal repercussions like being charged with... View More

answered on Mar 26, 2025
Civil or criminal harassment is defined as a pattern of repeated contacts or communications that seriously annoys another person. A single communication does not qualify. I assume this person did not previously file for a restraining order or pursue criminal charges against you; however, if my... View More
I received a written request from my HOA asking me to remove a fence that has been on HOA property for 27 years. I have been maintaining and upkeeping the fence all this time, but there was no original documentation or agreement regarding its installation. We have not had any prior disputes with... View More

answered on Mar 25, 2025
Your question leads to many projected answers, but mostly to more questions. It is plausible that they have interpreted the HOA rules wrong after 27 years, or that you have rights from a prior version of the same rules. There are adverse possession issues, unless the claim is undercut by missing... View More
I am transferring a parcel of land located in Howard County, Maryland, from my 87-year-old mother to myself and my son. I was informed that exemption codes should be included in this process. Since there are no liens or mortgages on the property, can you guide me on finding the appropriate... View More

answered on Mar 24, 2025
Have you considered the effect of losing the income tax benefit of stepped up basis before worrying about the exemption code for the recordation tax? You really need to consult a lawyer or, at least, a CPA, to determine whether you are exempt from all taxes. You might be, but your focus on a... View More
My father was a Bangladeshi citizen by birth but later became a US citizen through naturalization. He passed away in the USA and left behind real estate, land properties, and bank accounts in Bangladesh. He has minor children who are US citizens. There is no will, and legal proceedings have been... View More

answered on Mar 22, 2025
His overseas assets will be distributed according to the law of the country where those assets are located. Therefore, you will need to locate a lawyer in that country and open an estate there to pass ownership to his children, assuming that is who inherits under the laws of Bangladesh.
In Maryland, I am on parole, and prison officials have failed to apply my earned credits (for good behavior, work, and special projects) towards the expiration of my parole and sentence, as outlined in state law and prison policy. The policy uses mandatory language regarding the calculation of... View More

answered on Mar 24, 2025
You have a valid concern about your earned credits not being properly applied to your parole period in Maryland. Your first step should be to submit a formal written appeal to the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, clearly documenting all earned credits and citing the... View More
Amazon's delivery truck damaged my driveway and lawn on January 31, 2025, causing deep ruts in the gravel and grass. Despite submitting the requested information, I have been ignored during my follow-ups for updates. They finally offered a settlement which I find insulting, as it covers only... View More

answered on Mar 20, 2025
The problem is that legal effort to help you will inevitably cost more than you will gain. I suppose a lawyer might teach you how to file a small claim in District Court, but that might take a couple hours, and the lawyer would want to be paid. It is also possible that your homeowner's... View More
In a Maryland divorce case, my spouse and I jointly own a home. My spouse is keeping the house and buying me out. Their attorney is proposing that the potential future cost of sale be divided in half and subtracted from my buyout portion. We have no terms in our divorce agreement or prior... View More

answered on Mar 20, 2025
Hopefully an agreement will be very clear about the buyout (e.g., A will pay B $X or 1/2 of appraised value less mortgage or whatever it might be). Any questions about a specific agreement are best posed to the counsel who helped draft that agreement, and your specific wording may lead to a... View More
I haven't filed my taxes since 2017 due to medical and housing issues. I currently have W2s for 2022 through 2024 and need to file both Maryland state and federal taxes. I'm unsure about any potential penalties or communications that might have been sent to me by tax authorities. How... View More
I am creating a Quitclaim deed for property in Worcester County, Maryland. The property has no mortgage, and I'm transferring the deed from my husband and me to our LLC, where we are equal members. I have prepared the deed with $0 consideration. The Worcester County Tax Specialist advised me... View More

answered on Mar 19, 2025
While deeds are not terribly complex, tax exempt deeds often have very exacting requirements. Our law firm regularly assists with exempt transfers to LLCs in MD so we're quite familiar with this.
Md. Ann Code, Tax Property Sect. 12-108 is the correct statute, but subsection (y) deals... View More
I have applied for the petition to remove conditions on my green card and received a 48-month extension. I plan to travel for a week-long vacation outside the U.S. I have traveled outside the United States with an extension notice before. Is it safe for me to travel and re-enter the U.S. without... View More

answered on Mar 20, 2025
Consider reviewing and modifying your social media and phone content prior to travel.
I have a neighbor who is spraying something I believe is harmful, causing me to feel nauseous. This has been happening since October 2024. Although I can hear the spraying and sometimes her sneezing and coughing, I don't know exactly where she is spraying it. I previously complained about... View More
I live in Anne Arundel County, MD, and have rented an apartment in a triplex for 38 years. I recently discovered that my current landlord has not had a license to rent the property for the past three years. Despite this, I've been threatened and bullied into paying rent, which I was informed... View More
During a verbal argument in a public place, I threatened to shoot someone although I did not have a weapon and was speaking out of anger. The police took a report but did not arrest me, and I have no prior offenses or further contact with the strangers involved. The incident was recorded. Given... View More

answered on Mar 24, 2025
You could potentially face charges of criminal threatening, assault (the threat of harm, not actual physical contact), terroristic threatening, or disorderly conduct depending on your state's specific laws. The severity ranges from misdemeanors carrying fines and possibly up to a year in jail,... View More
I have a situation where my ex-partner, who willingly signed the birth certificate after acknowledging the child was not biologically his, now wants to be removed from it. The biological father is deceased, and my ex has been involved in the child's life. There are text messages indicating his... View More
I live in a quiet community of homes adjacent to a farm in Maryland where dirt bikes and ATVs are ridden several times a week, causing significant noise disturbances. Additionally, firearms are being discharged at all hours of the night and day. All the neighbors are concerned, and we've... View More
I am seeking legal guidance regarding my family’s home loan modification in Washington, DC. My father, a veteran, passed away in 2021, and we applied for a modification to retain the home and maintain his interest rate. The process extended for nearly four years without any missed deadlines or... View More

answered on Mar 23, 2025
Your situation with the home loan modification sounds deeply frustrating, especially after your family's compliance with all requirements while grieving your father's loss. You might consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) which oversees mortgage... View More
On January 17, 2025, my car was involved in a fender-bender caused by a neighbor changing lanes abruptly. My car, a meticulously maintained 2005 Lexus IS300, suffered damages including the fender, bumper cover, and headlight, but is otherwise in excellent condition. Unfortunately, my neighbor’s... View More

answered on Mar 17, 2025
Very few personal injury attorneys handle property damage only claims because of the economics involved. (It's not enough money for the work involved.) Search for an attorney who deals with property damage claims. Good luck.
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