the neighbor gave me a verbal authorization to cut the tree. Can the county fine me for cutting the tree without a permit?

Permits are only required for removal of trees in a county right-of-way or in a designated forest conservation area. Trimming trees wholly within the yard of a private property owner does not require a permit.
I stay in a 2 bedroom apartment with 2 flatmates in Maryland. K and N split a room between themselves and I stay in the smaller room. N and me are on the lease and K was supposed to be added. The request was made to the leasing company, K abruptly announced that she is leaving (without finding a... Read more »

As to the roommate on the lease, you have some options. If she abandons the lease, you would have legal recourse to sue her for damages incurred (ie. her half of the rent).
As to the other one... that's a lot trickier, as she's not technically on the lease, which means you would... Read more »
We and three other families intend to sell our homes when our kids go to college and build one large custom home on acreage. Should we form some manner of legal entity to pool our money and deal with the builder, etc.?

Best way is not to do this. If someone wants or needs out, or life events happen (divorce, death, severe health issues, long-term nursing care needs and Medicaid qualification, to name but a few), then you’ve got a mess on your hands. That’s separate from all the headaches of shares use,... Read more »

Sure, if you and the second mortgage company can agree on the terms. After 9 years, there's going to be an enormous balance due with interest and late fees added on, plus the full balance has been accelerated. It is also possible the debt has been sold and assigned to anther creditor. I... Read more »
alabama and i live in md she did not have a will.

You need an Alabama estate lawyer. The requirements for a non-resident executor of an estate usually involves appointment of a person in Alabama to act as resident agent for the executor for service of legal papers. Because the estate involves real estate, and you cannot easily travel to Alabama... Read more »
There was no agreement in writing when we bought the home on who pays what. He is keeping the home and wants me to sign off.

This is such a common issue. When love fails, it often leaves a forced business partnership that must be terminated.
If you are on title, you are a co-owner. If you were unmarried, it is possible that the deed designates what percentage of ownership you were granted, if not 50%.... Read more »
I need lawyers to review several related but different issues
Review an implied written contract between owner and Homeowner’s association for compensation when the HOA is incorrect.
Review complaints for ADA and FHA (housing laws) against an HOA, and help prosecute in Court.... Read more »

The terms of service for Justia prohibit lawyers from soliciting business here. The web site is for general information and access to justice. I've often written, however, on how to find a lawyer. I’ve written this same answer several times on Quora, and I don’t have enough time to rewrite... Read more »
I am practicing to take my real estate exam and want clarity on guaranty fund and the money amounts involved in payouts.

A consumer may make a claim for up to $50,000 against the Guaranty Fund on account of an allowed claim against a real estate agent or broker. The Maryland Real Estate Commission can separately pursue disciplinary action against an agent or broker for violation of the ethical standards, and impose... Read more »
I like things the way they are, and can afford to pay for a new well myself should I ever need it.

I know of no way to generalize to give you decent advice without reviewing the survey, running a title search for easements, and understanding exactly what the developer wants and needs. Generally, however, you do not need to agree with anything on your land unless your neighbor has an easement to... Read more »
I inherited a house in Maryland. The estate is in probate and I'm the executor and sole heir (I will be filling for modified administration). As I understand it, the house can be sold either by the estate or deeded to me first before the sale. For both options, when exactly in the probate... Read more »

You can amend the inventory value based either on the tax assessed value or an appraisal by a certified real estate appraiser (not just a real estate agent doing a valuation—must be a certified appraisal). The tax basis in the Property is fixed as of the date of death regardless of whether the... Read more »
Can I File Criminal And Civil Charges Against The Owner Of The Land/Building I Adverse Possess. I Changed All The Locks And Put A New Chain And Lock On The Gate. But The Owner Keeps Breaking In And Changing The Locks. That Is A Hate Crime Based On (Law!) ? And .... ....
Laws & Legal... Read more »

You have got to be kidding, right? First, a hate crime involves "race, color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or national origin," and you mentioned none of the above. Second, if you are breaking and entering on the property of another, it is you who is: "damag[ing] the real... Read more »
Do I need an attorney or it can be mediated?

Need more facts. What, exactly, is the non-disclosure? That warranty repairs were limited to manufacturer warranties? That disputes under the solar panel contract can only be resolved by binding arbitration in Chester County, PA? Or that the solar panels have a balance due with 48 monthly... Read more »
I want to ensure that I am following all laws and legal requirements. In order to ensure that I won't be liable for anything.

The chances that you can draft a solid real estate purchase agreement from a checklist of clauses is precisely zero, and any effort to help you in doing that would, in my opinion, make the lawyer a participant in your negligence. There are perfectly good contract forms that are regionally specific... Read more »
I am purchasing a renovated,previously vacant home in Bmore. The home was previously purchased by the Mayor and city via condemn- immed. Title and posses., then purchased by and investor who renovated it. My title company told me that I need to redeem a ground rent that was on a deed from 1967... Read more »

Your confusion is understandable. Many don't apprehend that a leasehold property has TWO chains of title. One for the leasehold (what you purchased), and another for the reversionary interest (what you ground rent landlords own).
Non-registration doesn't strip the ground rent... Read more »
I’m the new purchaser but my title company won’t clear the title because of a ground rent deed from 1967. Even though the property was taken by Baltimore City and the previous owner was paid simple fee for it.

Ground rents in Baltimore City are a particular PITA, and, even though I am a real estate lawyer, a title agent, and a former real estate broker, I would not touch the issue without reviewing the abstract, reviewing with underwriter's counsel who had special knowledge of Baltimore ground... Read more »
How do I know if I need to file a 1099-S or if I am exempt from doing so?

The IRS has a publication to answer this question, available at https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1099s The same publication also outlines what transfers are exempt from reporting.
Generally, at a typical "full" settlement where one person is buying the property from... Read more »
I Needed Regarding The Adverse Possession (No Trespassing Signs)/ Heaters 4 Trash Bags Tools And So On. I Called The Police And They Didn't Lock Them Up. And And I Went To The Police Commissioner And And They Declined My Application Of Statement Of Charges.With The Police Complain Police... Read more »

Adverse possession is a defense, not a claim. If you have possessed the property openly adversely continuously and hostilely for 20 years in Maryland, the title owner may not maintain an action to eject you. There is no "adverse possessing a building." Until the 20 years passes, you own... Read more »
Son is already in the will but the father is planning to remarry some time this year.

To give a clear answer an attorney would first need to verify the titling of the existing deed. Assuming the parents owned as "tenants by the entirety," title would legally be in the surviving father's name after his wife died. If the surviving parent owner wants to make sure... Read more »
I Have No Water And The Owner's Water Is Cut Off Long Sense And $6000 Pass Due I Contacted The City Regarding But Never
A Answer It Regarded Having The Water Bill Put In The Title Name Or My Name Regarding Adverse Possession And And That I Was The Adverse Possesser.

The solution to your issue depends on your status as an occupier of the land. How did you enter the property? Are you a tenant with a lease? One without a lease? Did the owner invite you? Did you enter via trespass? What is your relation to the owner?
How the water bill is titled is an... Read more »
House was legally auctioned off at tax sale and the plaintiff is in the process of foreclosing the right to redemption. Current owner (defendant) of the house has no mortgage; the deed is in their name alone. This house/owner has a child support lien on it by the State of Maryland for over $30,000... Read more »

Property tax liens tend to have super priority, meaning they stand first in line before most other kinds of liens. This means that in most cases, if proper notice is given, a tax sale foreclosure case wipes out the other liens and transfers the property free and clear of lesser liens.... Read more »
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