When most people contemplate getting a divorce, they are thinking of an absolute divorce. An absolute divorce is a permanent divorce that allows the parties to remarry. However, there is a second type of divorce called a limited divorce. A limited divorce in Maryland can be granted for a limited time, or can be granted for an indefinite time. It does not permit remarriage. It also does not terminate property claims. However, a limited divorce in Maryland does legalize a separation and provides … [Read more...]
Contributory Negligence in Maryland
December 28, 2011 By
Maryland is one of only four states that recognize contributory negligence in personal injury claims. Contributory negligence means that you have contributed, in some way, to your injury. If you have contributed to your personal injury you are not permitted to recover any damages for the injury. This means that if you are only one percent liable, while the other party is 99 percent responsible, you cannot recover any money for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or anything else. Most … [Read more...]
Can I Still Recover Damages for a Hit-and-Run Accident?
December 28, 2011 By
In Maryland, if you are injured as the result of a hit-and-run accident, you may still be able to recover damages. A Maryland accident attorney can make sure that you are paid for lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering in the same way as if you knew the identity of the driver who caused the accident. The reason for this being that you can bring a claim under your own insurance policy’s uninsured motorist provision. Maryland law treats the hit-and-run driver as an uninsured motorist. … [Read more...]
Why it is Important to Have a Will in Maryland
December 21, 2011 By
Seven out of ten people die without a will. Many people think that only people with large estates need to have a will. However, this is a misconception that can lead to an unsatisfactory distribution of property after a person’s death. It is important to have a Maryland attorney prepare your will so that all of your loved ones will be taken care of. If you die without a will, the Maryland laws of intestate succession determine who receives your property. Generally, a surviving spouse will … [Read more...]
Dog Bites and Negligence in Maryland
December 21, 2011 By
Did you know that the owner of a dog in Maryland is deemed responsible when a dog bites a person? Every year, millions of Americans are bitten by dogs. On average, one out of every six dog bites is considered severe enough for the person to seek medical treatment for their personal injury. Dog bites can cause cuts, abrasions and fractured or broken bones. They can also cause disfiguring scars that can last a lifetime. These injuries can lead to several damages, such as medical bills, future … [Read more...]
Name Change Following a Divorce in Maryland
December 21, 2011 By
If you are going through a divorce or plan to file for a divorce in Maryland, you may want to change your last name. Maryland law allows you to do this fairly easily during the divorce process. Maryland law states that when granting an absolute divorce, the court shall change the name of a party to either the name given the party at birth or to any other former name the party wishes to use. Three requirements must be met in order to grant a name change when filing for a divorce in Maryland. The … [Read more...]
What You Should Know if Charged with a DUI in Maryland
December 20, 2011 By
If you or someone that you know has been charged with driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it is important to know the law in Maryland. One aspect that is especially important to know is that a person must have been in actual physical control of the vehicle in order to be convicted of driving while under the influence. A person sleeping in the driver's seat with the vehicle legally parked should not be convicted of a DUI in Maryland. A person awake sitting in the passenger's … [Read more...]
Is Filing for Bankruptcy in Maryland a Good Decision?
December 19, 2011 By
Deciding whether or not to file for bankruptcy in Maryland may be a tough decision to make. In order to make an informed decision it helps to know how filing for bankruptcy will affect you now and in the future. Here is a list of some Maryland bankruptcy basics: Maryland Bankruptcy Positives: Filing for bankruptcy may make it possible to: 1. Eliminate the legal obligation to pay most, if not all, debts. 2. Stop foreclosure on a home and allow for the debtor an opportunity to cure a … [Read more...]
Return Phone Calls on Sundays
July 24, 2011 By
Today I received a phone call on my cell phone from a divorce client. He didn't have any emergency, he just had a simple question that he needed answered. When he called, I was at Bass Pro Shops with my son just spending some quality time together. Why do I mention this? I mention this because most of my lawyer friends, if not all, would never take such a call on a Sunday. But I do not agree with that at all. The phone call took about 45 seconds. My understands that I have a … [Read more...]
Hiring A Divorce Lawyer
July 13, 2011 By
I was reading this today and I thought this was a good article that I wanted to share with you. At our office, we have been handling divorce and custody cases for almost 20 years. We are good lawyers. We are compassionate, and we bill fairly. And, most important, we are accessible. With our firm as your Maryland divorce lawyers, you always know that you can get ahold of us, even during the evening and on weekends. I even give out my cell phone number to many of my clients. … [Read more...]