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I received a letter from my landlord stating that an additional $60.00 will be added to my rent because a landscaping company cut my grass. My grass is cut bi-weekly and did not need to be cut at that time. There was no prior notice or explanation for this service or charge. Is it legal for the... View More 
I submitted my loan consolidation form to MOHELA on December 8, 2024, and my Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) form on December 26, 2024. Both forms are still under review according to the FSA website. I received an email from MOHELA on March 28, 2025, stating that my payment was 30 days past due, even... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
It sounds like you're facing a frustrating situation, especially with conflicting information from MOHELA. The first step is to keep detailed records of all communications with MOHELA, including emails, phone calls, and any written notices about your loan status. Since your servicer confirmed... View More
I bought a product from a U.S. company with delivery from China, paid for it 3 months ago, and received a written confirmation indicating the final price. The product hasn't been delivered yet, and now the company wants to raise the price due to tariffs. Is it legally permissible for them to... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
This situation is understandably frustrating, especially when you already paid and received written confirmation of the final price. In Maryland, once a sale is confirmed and payment is accepted, a company typically cannot raise the price later unless the original agreement included language that... View More
I am enrolled in an online course in Maryland and faced issues due to missing assignments, resulting in failing the class and potentially losing $2,000. One assignment was "hidden," preventing submission, and another was not included in the class but in the textbook, which I could have... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
This situation sounds incredibly stressful, especially when your academic progress and job opportunities are directly affected by issues beyond your control. If an assignment was hidden or not made accessible, and you were penalized for it, that raises serious concerns about fairness and course... View More
I'm trying to obtain my dental records from my previous dentist in Maryland, but they've refused to release them due to an unpaid fee for a missed appointment that occurred 4 years ago. I don't have copies of any agreements regarding cancellations or record releases, and the... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
What you're dealing with is understandably frustrating, especially when your dental records are personal and may be needed for future care. In Maryland, dentists are not allowed to withhold patient records due to unpaid fees that are unrelated to the cost of creating or copying those records.... View More
On November 26, 2024, I was involved in an accident in a roundabout when transitioning from the left lane to the right lane. A bus failed to yield upon entering the roundabout and collided with my car, which got damaged, although the bus was not. There was one reported injury from the bus... View More
answered on Apr 7, 2025
If you were uninsured, you should retain an attorney to defend the lawsuit. You may want to also speak with a bankruptcy attorney.
I live in Maryland and want to own and operate a decommissioned ambulance as a personal vehicle, possibly converting it into a camper van. I'm concerned about the legality, insurance, and registration requirements for such a vehicle. Are there any laws in Maryland preventing this, and what... View More
answered on Mar 31, 2025
Yes, you can register and drive a de-commissioned ambulance as a used truck. You must remove all emergency lights and logos/wording/markings designating it as an emergency vehicle (the words “emergency,” “EMS,” crosses, etc.). You should check with the MVA whether anything else must be... 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.
A veterinarian's office ran a test on my pet without my knowledge or approval and did not inform me until I called to make an appointment months later. They claimed I owe $80 for the test, despite not discussing or approving it, and they cannot find any record of my approval. I refused to pay,... View More
answered on Mar 10, 2025
The Public Defender's Office only represents person charged with a criminal offense who cannot fford a lawyer to defend the charges. You are being sued in civil court for an unpaid debt or for breach of contract. Persons appearing in civil court cases are not entitled to receive free legal... View More
I am homeless and was sleeping in my car parked at a hotel in Edgewood, Harford County, Maryland. I was assaulted and taken to the hospital, and during that time, my car was towed without my knowledge. The towing bill is now over $3000. I've contacted the police and have a police report... View More
answered on Mar 24, 2025
That sounds like a very challenging situation. Unfortunately a tow company often has the legal right to charge per day fees for vehicles they legally tow, even though on a personal level such fees may work a significant financial hardship.
You might consider reaching out to the Maryland... View More
I discovered an account in collections on my credit report that was fraudulently opened using my SSN. I reported the identity theft to my local police department and disputed the account with Experian, which removed it. However, Transunion has not removed it, and as I'm applying for a... View More
answered on Feb 25, 2025
I would contact a consumer protection attorney familiar with the Fair Credit Reporting Act to determine if there is an actionable claim against Trans Union. If there is an actionable FCRA claim, there's a chance that this increased interest rate can be used as damages but tough to determine... View More
In June 2024 I had a baby shower and placed the catering order at a company. I thought I paid online but when my fiancé got to the location, he asked if I if he needed to pay they said no he want to make sure that he didn’t need to pay and they said no in January I get a call stating that the... View More
answered on Feb 24, 2025
The restaurant can sell the unpaid account to a collection agency, or retain a collection agency for a fee, to try and collect the past due amount owed. If you do not work something out with either the restaurant or the collection agency that takes over collection of the debt, then eventually they... View More
answered on Jan 18, 2025
A Maryland attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. If you've exhausted all means through your research efforts, sometimes investigators or process service companies are more skilled that the average person in finding contact information. Good luck
Requested to pay out of pocket, long standing prescription
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answered on Dec 21, 2024
Yes, a pharmacist can withhold a refill if your insurance hasn’t pre-approved the medication. Insurance companies sometimes require prior authorization for certain prescriptions, even if you’ve been using them for a long time. This process ensures that the medication meets your insurance’s... View More
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
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... View More
I went to the Childrens place 15 mins before close and manager refused to let anyone in. I posted a TikTok that went viral and received a message on TikTok from the manager threatening to beat my a**. I live in the stores neighborhood and have been afraid to leave my house to shop and do activities... View More
answered on Sep 14, 2024
A Maryland attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. At this point, you could reach out to Maryland attorneys to try to arrange a free initial consult. A law firm would probably want to discuss in detail and possibly investigate things before offering an evaluation... View More
An atty filed a frivolous lawsuit against me. I fought back and the atty quickly withdrew the complaint. Yet the case still costed me a significant amount of atty fees and expenses. Subsequently, I filed a complaint with Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission against the atty for misconduct. The... View More
answered on Aug 22, 2024
Unfortunately, bar counsel has the sole discretion whether to pursue a grievance against an attorney. You cannot appeal their decision.
I purchased a 2013 650I BMW from an Annapolis MD dealership in or around 7/2022 which unbeknownst to me was a lemon. To my surprise, I learned during a service call for an oil change in 6/2024 that the vehicle which has been driven minimally as a result of me working from home during the pandemic... View More
answered on Aug 31, 2024
While it is frustrating to have significant repairs on a vehicle you recently purchased, a used vehicle that is 9 or 10 years old does not have the same warranties as a new car.
Maryland's "lemon law" applies to a NEW passenger car, light truck or motorcycle that has... View More
How can I challenge State Farm's undervaluation without incurring prohibitive legal costs and ensure my 27-1001 filing is as strong as possible?
answered on Aug 14, 2024
A Maryland attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. Until you are able to consult with a local attorney, the general manner of challenging an undervaluation could include presenting evidence in the form of comparable listings within a given region, an... View More
My HOA painted a Red Emergency Fire line inches away from my home but a small part of that Fire line is in front of my home. Isn't this illegal?
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answered on Jul 27, 2024
It's understandable to feel concerned about the fire line painted near your home. Generally, homeowners associations (HOAs) have the authority to designate and paint emergency fire lanes in community areas, including sections that might be in front of private residences. This is often done to... View More
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