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Maryland Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: Can a parent be forced to pay for daycare used by the other parent in a 50/50 custody arrangement?

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

0 Answers | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Maryland on
Q: How can I keep my home address private for a Maryland sole proprietorship?

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

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: Am I at fault for turning right on a red light without signs prohibiting or requiring a stop?

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

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
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.

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights and Gov & Administrative Law for Maryland on
Q: Concern about legal trouble when emailing former friend after years without contact in Maryland.

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

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
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

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Maryland on
Q: HOA requests removal of fence on HOA property after 27 years. What are my rights in Maryland?

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

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
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

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3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Maryland on
Q: Finding exemption codes for deed transfer in Maryland from mother to son

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

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
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

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3 Answers | Asked in International Law, Real Estate Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Probate for Maryland on
Q: Distribution of Bangladeshi property and bank accounts for US citizen father's estate with minor US citizen children involved.

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

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
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.

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1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Civil Rights for Maryland on
Q: Maryland parole credits not applied, causing extended parole. Need options.

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

James L. Arrasmith
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Personal Injury and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: Amazon truck damaged my driveway; received inadequate settlement offer and no response.

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

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
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

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Real Estate Law and Contracts for Maryland on
Q: Divorce and house buyout: future sale costs in Maryland

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

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
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

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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Maryland on
Q: How do I file taxes from 2017, 2022-2024 in Maryland and handle potential penalties?

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

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Mar 26, 2025

Hire an accountant. Period.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Maryland on
Q: Need correct Maryland annotated code for $0 consideration Quitclaim deed transfer to LLC.

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

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
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...
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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law for Maryland on
Q: Am I safe to travel with a 48-month green card extension?

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

Symantha Rhodes
Symantha Rhodes
answered on Mar 20, 2025

Consider reviewing and modifying your social media and phone content prior to travel.

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0 Answers | Asked in Environmental, Civil Litigation and Gov & Administrative Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I record my neighbor's harmful spraying actions without voice in MD?

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

0 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Civil Litigation for Maryland on
Q: How to sue for rent paid on an unlicensed property in MD?

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

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Maryland on
Q: What charges could I face for threatening to shoot someone without a weapon in public?

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

James L. Arrasmith
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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

0 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: Ex wants removal from birth certificate; biological father deceased.

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

0 Answers | Asked in Agricultural Law, Environmental and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: What legal options exist in MD for noise disturbances from dirt bikes, ATVs, and firearm discharges near homes?

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

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Foreclosure and Military Law for Maryland on
Q: Seeking advice on challenging unfair home loan modification terms in Maryland, impacting veteran's family.

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

James L. Arrasmith
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Consumer Law and Insurance Defense for Maryland on
Q: How to maintain clean title after fender-bender under MD law?

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

John Mesirow
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John Mesirow
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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