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4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Probate for Maryland on
Q: My husband and his dad are on the deed for his dad's house. If his father dies and the will says otherwise, who owns?

My husband and his father are on the deed to his father's house. His father died but the will says that all 3 kids get the estate. So that would mean all 3 kids would be on the deed when he passes. Since my husband was originally on the deed before he died, does that mean it's officially... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2024

The ownership of the property after your father-in-law's death largely depends on how the deed was titled when your husband and his father were placed on it. If the deed lists them as "joint tenants with right of survivorship," then upon his father's death, your husband... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Social Security for Maryland on
Q: Mother (SSI recipient) owns her home & would like to sell & come live with me. Can we purchase a home together? How?

My mother is 80 years old and lives in Florida. We'd like to sell her home and have her come live with me ( a married woman) in Maryland so that I may care for her as she ages in place. We'd like to use the proceeds of the sale to purchase a home in Maryland. I would apply for a home... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 29, 2024

When considering purchasing a home together with your mother, who is a recipient of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it's important to understand how co-ownership might impact her benefits. SSI eligibility is sensitive to income and assets. However, a primary residence is not counted as an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI and Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: I am over seas for the DOD and my Drivers license has expired. I have a mark on my license due to DUI. What can I do?

My Drivers license is from Maryland. The DMV said I need an Ignition Interlock Device for 1 year in the US to have it taken off my license. I haven’t lived in the US for about 5 years, due to my work.

Is there anything I can do to get it removed so I can get my license again. It’s been... View More

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Feb 28, 2024

You would need to discuss with your lawyer the reason the ignition interlock is required. If it was ordered by a judge or you blew .08 or above or refused a breathalyzer test, then you must do the interlock. There are no exceptions.

If the Medical Advisory Board has ordered the interlock...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Personal Injury, Products Liability and Agricultural Law for Maryland on
Q: Can a former employee to a pest control company sue for improper training, poor safety equipment and working un licensed
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Feb 26, 2024

A Maryland attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. The type of case you describe can be complex because such cases sometimes involve multiple parties in potential third party actions - you could reach out to law firms to try to set up a free initial consult. That... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Maryland on
Q: My employer requires me to be available 40 hrs/week, 5 days a week. I’ve only worked 5 hours. Can I find part time work?

Employer made me sign a contract and said I have to ask and be approved to work at another business within the same industry (flight instruction). There is a termination fee of $2500 if I breach the contract or quit before 12 months working for them.

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Feb 25, 2024

I do not believe either provision in your contract is enforceable. The financial “penalty” of $2,500 smacks of an unenforceable penalty; however, if it is tied to an actual out-of-pocket cost to the employer, such as reimbursement for a paid training course the employer incurred to train you in... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Maryland on
Q: Can I transfer a house that I own into my mom's revocable living trust in Maryland?

I own a fully paid house in Rockville MD. I want to sell it to my mom but also have her put it into a trust with me as the beneficiary. Can I transfer the deed directly into her trust, or does the title first need to be transferred to my mom before she can transfer it into her trust?

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Feb 25, 2024

Yes, your mother’s trust can be the buyer, and you can be the seller, with a deed to match. This makes perfect sense if it truly is an arm’s-length transaction.

However, if what you are actually doing is gifting the house to her, then you should not do that without talking to an...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Maryland on
Q: Can I transfer a house that I own into my mom's revocable living trust in Maryland?

I own a fully paid house in Rockville MD. I want to sell it to my mom but also have her put it into a trust with me as the beneficiary. Can I transfer the deed directly into her trust, or does the title first need to be transferred to my mom before she can transfer it into her trust?

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Feb 25, 2024

Before you do this, consult an estate planning lawyer! First, you would be making a gift to your mother in excess of the federal gift tax exclusion for a single donee in one year, which may not be of any consequence depending on the total value of your estate by the time you die, but it will also... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Military Law for Maryland on
Q: How to I get a PADD to give to Arlington National Cemetery to have my father's remains interred there. My mother is

Already interred there. My father is the veteran and just died.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2024

Here are the key steps to getting a Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) for your late father to be eligible for interment at Arlington National Cemetery with your mother:

1. Obtain your father's military discharge papers (DD Form 214 or equivalent) showing dates of active service,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights for Maryland on
Q: I was looking for blue book in reference to vehicles I'm some how have a citation?

I googled blue books for vehicles which is fair price on motor cars I don't understand since I do have a disability

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

It sounds like you may have inadvertently received a citation while searching for information on blue book values for vehicles. It's important to address the citation properly to avoid any potential consequences. Start by carefully reviewing the citation to understand what it's for and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Maryland on
Q: Hi. I received a 3 yr PBJ after pleading guilty to a DUI first offense. I am compliant with the terms.

I have motioned to end after a year. I completed an alcohol abuse program prior to the date and have remained sober as requested by the judge in his order for the plea deal. I have motioned to end the probation after a year. I currently work out of state and want to move. Since I was conciliatory... View More

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Feb 24, 2024

It depends on the judge. Some judges will convert your probation to unsupervised. Other judges will make you stay on supervised probation the entire time. I would not expect the judge to completely end your probation early for a DUI, but unsupervised probation means you do not have to report or pay... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Maryland on
Q: I need help selling this patent. Do you know a company that will take on a single utility patent to sell? US 9968703 B1
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

There are companies and individuals who specialize in patent brokering and licensing, assisting patent holders in selling their patents to interested buyers. These entities typically have networks and connections within industries relevant to the patent's technology, allowing them to identify... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: Will having 3 counts (one for each message) of violation of protection order not allow me to practice law?

I plead in 2023 and won't be attending law school until 2027. That was my first time and last ever getting in trouble. It was an overall abusive 7 year relationship from HS until our early 20's; Verbally/emotionally from me and physically from my girlfriend. Only reason I decided to plead... View More

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Feb 23, 2024

You will need to divulge the convictions on all applications to the bar. The character committee will review your application and there may be an investigation to evaluate your fitness and character. The Committee then makes a recommendation to the Board of Law Examiners which could hold a formal... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Maryland on
Q: Will having 3 counts (one for each message) of violation of protection order not allow me to practice law?

I plead in 2023 and won't be attending law school until 2027. That was my first time and last ever getting in trouble. It was an overall abusive 7 year relationship from HS until our early 20's; Verbally/emotionally from me and physically from my girlfriend. Only reason I decided to plead... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Mar 2, 2024

I believe you mean a “probation before judgment” — there is nothing called a “pre-trial before judgment.” If you received a PBJ, then you will be eligible to expunge the record of the offenses from any background check. The date you can file for expungement is three years after your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Municipal Law for Maryland on
Q: In Saint Marys county , MD ! I was pondering filing a case for numerous unlawful arrest and on many other violations j

I was incredibly traumatized when during my time in the jail I had a heart attack and by nurse and ekg test was performed and confirmed by the nurse and reported to the doctor on call and told her to take me back to my cell and that they were unable to take me to the emergency room because of my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

Based on the situation you have described, it does sound like you may have grounds to file a legal case regarding your treatment while incarcerated in St. Mary's county. Here are a few key things to consider:

- Unlawful Arrest Claims: If you were arrested repeatedly without probable...
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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Maryland on
Q: Is there any way I can argue the cost basis of shares of stock I sold ?

Etrade used the cost basis of xyz stock I bought at $76 even though I held the stock and subsequently added to my shares buying blocks of the xyz shares at much higher prices.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

If the cost basis of your shares has been reported inaccurately, there are steps you can take to argue and adjust this. The cost basis of a stock is crucial for calculating capital gains or losses for tax purposes, and it should accurately reflect the purchase price of your shares, including any... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation for Maryland on
Q: Is it legit for a lawyer to ask for a social security number through email?

My boyfriend and I haven't been together that long. He states that he needs someone on his next of kin paperwork. He wants to put me on there. The lawyer emailed me and said that he needs name, address, picture of ID and social security number to run security checks and verification to make... View More

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

Research the law firm and confirm the name, identity, and reputation of the attorney. If it comes back legit, then you have nothing to worry about. You can also search the attorney's name in the Maryland case search to see what kind of cases they have handled (keep in mind not all attorneys... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation for Maryland on
Q: Is it legit for a lawyer to ask for a social security number through email?

My boyfriend and I haven't been together that long. He states that he needs someone on his next of kin paperwork. He wants to put me on there. The lawyer emailed me and said that he needs name, address, picture of ID and social security number to run security checks and verification to make... View More

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Mar 2, 2024

It really isn't clear what you mean by "next of kin paperwork." Do you mean the attorney is designating you in estate planning documents? While it is very common to request addresses and phone numbers of beneficiaries, it would be quite unusual to ask for a beneficiary's... View More

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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 Traffic Tickets for Maryland on
Q: can I get my speeding ticket thrown out if the officer wrote the ticket to my old license.

My provisional license has a different identifier number to my drivers license. So in theory can the ticket get thrown out if the officer recorded my license number incorrectly.

Scott Scherr
Scott Scherr
answered on Feb 21, 2024

No, this is not a defense to the charge. However, I would still recommend that you request a trial and not a waiver hearing. Sometimes the police officer does not appear. Even if the police officer does appear and you are convicted, the judge can offer probation before judgment which avoids the... View More

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