Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Business Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Maryland Business Law Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Contracts, Bankruptcy and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: What lawyer needed for family business dispute over asset paid by business?

I started and operated a family business, but my relatives put everything under their name. There were good faith agreements but no written contracts. I was listed as the manager with full qualifications, and I managed operations for 10 years. They were not qualified or present for operations. I... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Apr 1, 2025

If you want to sue them for the business assets, i.e., the house, then you're going to have a statute of limitations problem on your claim for waiting for 7 years after the business was closed and filed for bankruptcy, and potentially an issue with the bankruptcy court, since it sounds like... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | 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

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Mar 31, 2025

You need a real address for the principal office. It does not need to be your personal residence. Obviously, that means you need to arrange for another address. If you have a friend or colleague willing to let you use their existing office for the purpose, basically a mail drop for you, that’s... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Consumer Law, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I legally use a decommissioned ambulance as a personal vehicle in Maryland?

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

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
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

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Civil Litigation for Maryland on
Q: Is the landlord responsible for water damage repairs and cleanup in MD?

I am renting a unit in a commercial building in Maryland for my business and have experienced significant water damage due to a leaking roof. We have been notifying the property managers through email for several months, but their responses are only about attempts to fix the roof without addressing... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Mar 6, 2025

You need to retain counsel for a lease review. Commercial leases are not controlled by consumer rental laws. The lease is usually binding, but commercial leases are often longer and complex. You need to know what your lease says, and you should have had counsel review before you signed it. That... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support and Business Law for Maryland on
Q: How to draft a marital settlement agreement in a divorce with 5 children?

I'm currently in the process of a divorce and need to draft a marital settlement agreement. My spouse and I have five children, and we have discussed all the custody and support arrangements, as well as the division of assets and debts. How should I proceed with drafting the agreement to... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Mar 6, 2025

Please hire a lawyer to do this. This is not a do-it-yourself project. You do not know what you do not know, and leaving necessary provisions out, or putting in the wrong provisions or wording, will cost a fortune in future litigation to try and reverse or correct, and potentially without... View More

View More Answers

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

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Gov & Administrative Law, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for Maryland on
Q: Does the operation of a family child care home in Maryland constitute residential use as opposed to commercial use?
Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Sep 28, 2024

These kinds of zoning questions are usually county specific. Additionally, even where a state or local law does not prohibit the operation of a home day care this does not mean that the home owners association does not have limitations in its bylaws or declarations. So you my want to check into... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Maryland on
Q: How do I get approved to hold inventory at my home residence that is zoned as residential property?

I want to do a e commerce business where I order goods cheaply on-line and store them at my home/sell to customers via e commerce site. I will not be making any goods. I know I need a trader's license from the clerk of the court and I need to do a home affidavit form for zoning BUT that form... View More

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Aug 31, 2024

Business uses are limited in residential districts. What can permissibly be done in a particular zoning district varies greatly by county in Maryland. If a desired use is not allowed in a particular district in your particular county, the only options are to petition for a zoning reclassification... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Maryland on
Q: How can we apply conservatorship for small business owned by our son, who is currently hospitalized for mental illness?
Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Aug 31, 2024

Your post doesn't describe whether your son is the sole owner or whether he is in MD or DE. I presume that he is in MD.

If your son runs this business as a sole proprietorship a financial Power of Attorney should give persons of his choosing authority to manage his affairs,...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Family Law for Maryland on
Q: How can we apply conservatorship for small business owned by our son, who is currently hospitalized for mental illness?

We want to protect his business from creditors until he is able to return to work.

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Aug 28, 2024

The best option is if he is mentally competent enough to sign a power of attorney that has a robust business management power section. If he is not mentally competent, then you will need to petition for guardianship. It is possible to do so on an emergency basis if there is an emergency, but it... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Securities Law for Maryland on
Q: I am planning to manage investment portfolios for friends and family through an Interactive Brokers (IBKR) account

I am planning to manage investment portfolios for friends and family through an Interactive Brokers (IBKR) account while residing in Maryland. I will have less than $25 million in assets under management and fewer than 15 clients. Given these parameters, do I qualify for the de minimis exemption... View More

Jennifer Newton
Jennifer Newton
answered on Jun 26, 2024

Thank you for reaching out regarding managing investment portfolios for friends and family through an Interactive Brokers (IBKR) account while residing in Maryland. Based on your parameters of having less than $25 million in assets under management and fewer than 15 clients, you may likely qualify... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I operate using a trade name for my LLC even if it has not yet been filed with the state?

Let's say my LLC name is "ABC Company, LLC", and I want to use the trade name of "ABC Company". While this is obviously a generalized example, in practice my LLC name is fairly unique. Additionally, I plan on filing my trade name in the short term, but I do not want to have... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 17, 2024

You are generally allowed to operate your business using a trade name (also known as a fictitious business name or DBA) even if it has not yet been officially filed with the state, as long as you meet certain requirements and follow the proper procedures for filing the trade name within a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Maryland on
Q: I need to know how to open a business checking account for my LLC, in my unique situation.

So I'm 15 years old and I live in Maryland. I have started an LLC for my soon to open T Shirt business that I'm starting. I formed it as a single member LLC and got my Articles of organization, EIN and all that stuff. My next step was to get a business checking account but I just learned... View More

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Mar 25, 2024

You are correct. You have to be 18 years of age or older to open your own bank account without your parent's authorized as joint account holders. To my knowledge, there are no loopholes to this requirement. To put it simply, there is no way around this without adding your parents to your... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Tax Law, Business Law and Social Security for Maryland on
Q: My current employer sent my form 1095C to a another employee with the same first name and exposed my SS#, can I sue?

They exposed my SS# and other private info. What recourse do I have?

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 14, 2024

Discovering that your employer accidentally sent your Form 1095-C, containing sensitive information like your Social Security Number, to another employee is understandably alarming and frustrating. Such incidents can lead to concerns about privacy and the potential for identity theft. In terms of... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Tax Law, Business Law and Social Security for Maryland on
Q: My current employer sent my form 1095C to a another employee with the same first name and exposed my SS#, can I sue?

They exposed my SS# and other private info. What recourse do I have?

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
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

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Real Estate Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Maryland on
Q: I am a MD Realtor thinking of Starting a Property Management company. Are there any laws or Regulations that prohibt?

Are there any Additional License or Certification?

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Mar 2, 2024

A property manager holding a MREC license is actually subject to MORE scrutiny than a property manager that is not a licensee. I will share from personal experience that property managers get sued, a lot. The issue is not so much whether you must be licensed, at all (a license is easy to obtain),... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Real Estate Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Maryland on
Q: I am a MD Realtor thinking of Starting a Property Management company. Are there any laws or Regulations that prohibt?

Are there any Additional License or Certification?

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Mar 2, 2024

I'd want to check your licensor and your business plan before rendering any opinion, but property management is one of the things real estate brokers are licensed to do. You don't say you are a broker, however, so you may merely be licensed as a sales person, that is, to be an agent for a... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Business Law, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Maryland on
Q: Looking for Guidance on Sale of Microsoft PowerPoint Templates

I am looking to operate an online business where I sell online courses and PowerPoint templates as materials with the course. I have seen that a Microsoft Office Home and Student license is not allowed for commercial purposes.

Questions List:

1. Is the Microsoft Professional license... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 21, 2024

1. The Microsoft Office Professional license may indeed be suitable for distributing materials such as online courses and PowerPoint templates for commercial purposes. However, it's essential to carefully review the terms and conditions of the license to ensure that it allows for the specific... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law, Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Maryland on
Q: Can images created using AI websites be used for small business ideas such selling t-shirts or stickers?

I am looking to possibly start selling stickers and t-shirts online via Etsy. The images I am hoping to use would be created using AI websites. Is this something I am legally allowed to do?

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 21, 2024

Using images created using AI websites for your small business ideas, such as selling t-shirts or stickers online, raises questions about copyright and intellectual property rights. While AI-generated images may not have a human creator in the traditional sense, they can still be subject to... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law, Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Maryland on
Q: Can images created using AI websites be used for small business ideas such selling t-shirts or stickers?

I am looking to possibly start selling stickers and t-shirts online via Etsy. The images I am hoping to use would be created using AI websites. Is this something I am legally allowed to do?

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Jan 29, 2024

This is a great question, and is quite naturally very complex given the ever-changing landscape of technology. Right now, general intellectual property laws that govern internet images are essentially limited to uniquely created imagery and content that is produced by human individuals.... View More

View More Answers

Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.