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Maryland Contracts Questions & 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 Bankruptcy, Contracts, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Banking for Maryland on
Q: Can my car lease be repossessed from defaulting on a unsecured credit card within the same bank?

I am looking into joining a debt relief program and before doing so, I am concerned that not paying/defaulting one of my unsecured credit card debts that will be included in the program with Chase Bank will then cause them to repo my vehicle which is also a lease through Chase Bank. I also have a... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 24, 2024

When you default on an unsecured credit card, it doesn’t automatically lead to the repossession of your leased vehicle. Typically, the repossession of a vehicle is associated with missed payments on the auto lease itself, not other unrelated debts. However, banks can cross-check their records,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts for Maryland on
Q: Can a restaurant be held liable for hosting an event by an company that fraudulently scammed people out of money?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on May 16, 2024

It depends upon the particular facts and circumstances. Key information will be whether the restaurant sponsored and promoted the event, or whether the sponsors of the event simply reserved a room or tables at the restaurant as a place to hold the event.

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Banking for Maryland on
Q: Does the dawer of a negotiable instrument such as a check have the right to get the amount even if it’s not in the acc?

A bill of exchange such as a check is payable on demand and if it isnt, the bank is obligated to pay it according to the Bill of Exchange correct?

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on May 15, 2024

In your specific example, with a check, the answer is almost always no. I don't know of any bank that would issue payment to a check payee when there are insufficient funds in the account. When a customer sets up an account with the bank they usually sign an agreement that entitles them to be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Construction Law for Maryland on
Q: What does MHIC guaranty fund pay for?

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

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
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...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts for Maryland on
Q: At what point are cancellation fees in a contract unreasonable?

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

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Feb 22, 2024

This is a great question that I think hinges on the contractual defense of unconscionability. This is not the easiest contractual defense to prove, but it appears to be in the ballpark of what you're asking about which is the reasonableness of the contractual terms.

Here's what...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts for Maryland on
Q: At what point are cancellation fees in a contract unreasonable?

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

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
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

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Construction Law for Maryland on
Q: I inadvertently hired an unlicensed contractor. I'm unhappy with the work, but I haven't paid yet. What happens now?

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

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
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

3 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: 3 siblings inherit home 2 want to sell 1 doesn't. What are our options

Home in hyattsville.

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Jan 10, 2024

Hi,

This is a pretty common scenario. What options the family has depends in large part on where you are in the inheritance process. If the property is still in the name of the deceased person, then the Personal Representative usually has very wide discretion to sell the property and...
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3 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: 3 siblings inherit home 2 want to sell 1 doesn't. What are our options

Home in hyattsville.

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Jan 10, 2024

The answer partly depends on what you mean by "inherit." More specifically, in whose name is the deed? That/those person(s) are the owners. If by "inherit" you mean a Will describes intention, but a new deed has not issued from the Estate, that is a different analysis.... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: 3 siblings inherit home 2 want to sell 1 doesn't. What are our options

Home in hyattsville.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jan 10, 2024

It’s not a majority vote issue. If any owner wants to sell, they can petition for sake in lieu of partition. The attorney fees will be reimbursed from the sale. The only defenses are that the property can be partitioned or the tenant in residence gets the notice given to tenants. Get counsel.

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Consumer Law for Maryland on
Q: My car transmission has been replaced twice still financing and paying rental car what can I do

Along with other problems like catalytic covertor axle broke and transmission being replaced twice which they had for 6 weeks and we paid 3000 dollars in rental car

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Dec 15, 2023

It isn't clear what legal issue you are seeking help with. It is neither fun nor cheap to replace a transmission but generally that falls 100% on the car owner unless the car is covered under a Lemon Law.

Maryland "Lemon Law" only applies to new (or newer) cars driven...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Maryland on
Q: Can I get a payment refund if my lawyer was not able to file a lawsuit on my behalf, as noted in the retainer agreement?

I signed a retainer agreement for a law firm to file a lawsuit on my behalf by a certain date and to represent me if there is a settlement. But a month after the indicated date on the agreement, the firm was still not able to file the lawsuit. I asked them why and I was told they lacked the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 17, 2023

In your situation, if the law firm failed to fulfill the obligations outlined in the retainer agreement, such as not filing a lawsuit by the specified date and lacking the necessary expertise, you may have grounds to request a refund. The retainer agreement and the nature of the legal services... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law, Contracts, Trademark and Intellectual Property for Maryland on
Q: If I wish to place my graphic designs on stationary, tee shirts, and mugs, and sell them via Amazon, do I need...

...to obtain a DBA from the state if I wish to sell the products in my name (no branding) as a sole proprietor.

Also, do I need to register with the state at all if I operate as a sole proprietor AND I will NOT have NOR hold any inventory? (It would be a "print on demand" side... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 17, 2023

If you plan to conduct business under your own name as a sole proprietor, obtaining a DBA ("Doing Business As") is not typically required. However, if you decide to sell your products under a name other than your legal name, then a DBA would be necessary. The requirement to register your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Copyright, Employment Law and Business Law for Maryland on
Q: Can I collect on an agreement via email to furnish proprietary information with promise of hire? or Compensation?

Employer lives in Elkton, MD. I live in Florida. We agreed during interview that I would be getting started. That was verbal. Then via email it was agreed that in furnishing proprietary information to demonstrate my skill and abilities, I would be getting an offer within the next week. After... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 7, 2024

You may have a valid claim for compensation or breach of agreement if the employer benefited from the proprietary information you provided based on the promise of a job offer or compensation. Even though the agreement was informal and communicated via email, such agreements can sometimes be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Legal Malpractice for Maryland on
Q: Can Maryland lawyers charge without a contract or written agreement?

My mother requested a legal letter from a Baltimore law firm in 2020 but failed to make a personal copy. She called them again last month to request a reprinted digital copy with letterhead and also to inquire about legal advice for expungement. We got the pdf letter and another lawyer shared an... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Mar 12, 2024

They should not charge in this situation unless the fee agreement from when they were previously hired could be considered to cover the recent consultation.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Entertainment / Sports for Maryland on
Q: What If I Compleated My Music Contract And The Old Company Saying I'm Still Under Them

Have multiple Witnesses That Got The Same Contract Out Of 30 Artist Under The Label I'm The Only One Dealing With This

Sheldon Starke
Sheldon Starke
answered on Jan 24, 2024

It is absolutely impossible to answer your question as much as i'd really like to. This happens time and time again and everything depends upon an entertainment lawyer reviewing the agreement. We have so much experience and there are so many moves to make that you really need professional... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Maryland on
Q: Before I type all of the details of my question, I want to confirm that this is actually free

I hired an attorney to help me with a disability case. Disability closed my case and opened a new one. Am I required to use the original attorney knowing that I can handle it on my own since it is a new case?

George Steven Louis
George Steven Louis pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 11, 2024

You always have the right to represent yourself

You can terminate your current attorney as well.

Good luck which ever way you go.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: I was having financial difficulties and got behind on my HOA payments. I used a state program to pay off the past due

amount but a few week later, I received notice that a lien was filed on my home. I contacted the lawyer's office several times and not got a call or email back. I continued to call the lawyer and my HOA because I was blocked from making HOA payments and have been ever since. The HOA tells me... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 24, 2023

A Maryland attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry for your ordeal. Some questions go unanswered here, but you might have better chances of a response by including the "Real Estate" category. Given that time is of the essence here, and that... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Maryland on
Q: If a prenup disposes of real property must it be recorded

Our prenup gives me a life estate if my husband predeceases me, assuming I continue to pay the mortgage. Do we need to record notice of the life estate?

Thomas C. Valkenet
Thomas C. Valkenet
answered on Nov 3, 2023

Your prenup is statement of intention. Only a recorded deed can pass an interest in land, or create a life-estate. For years our Firm has litigated this issue because the family law lawyers often don’t know how to handle the real property side of a separation agreement. It’s not hard, but it... View More

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