What Happens if You Die Without a Will in Maryland?
No one wants to think about his or her own death, but it’s a fact of life. You’ve worked hard all of your life and want your assets to go to your loved ones. If you don’t have a will, the state of Maryland decides who gets your worldly goods. That may not match your
Read MoreInfluence of Genetics Within the Criminal Mind
Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film Minority Report, set in 2054, focuses on the PreCrime division of a police department. The PreCrime Unit’s job is stopping crimes before they occur. That’s now just 37 years in the future, and it is possible that sci-fi thriller accurately portrays the future. The answer may lie in genetic testing. Society
Read More
How to Establish Power of Attorney for Medical Emergencies
Emergencies can strike without warning. When a person becomes too ill or injured to communicate or make decisions, having a power of attorney in place ensures someone trusted can step in to help. In Maryland, there are two separate power of attorney documents: one for health care decisions and one for financial matters. The health
Read More
New Maryland Laws Regarding Stalking and Domestic Violence
Each year, the Maryland General Assembly passes new laws during their session which takes place from mid-January to mid-April, and 2016 was no different. Although the laws are passed in the Spring, many do not take effect for months after the fact. October 1st is one of the key dates where bills often take effect.
Read MoreCreating a Living Trust in Maryland
People are increasingly turning to living trusts because of the flexibility of these estate planning tools. Also known as inter vivos trusts, a living trust permits you to place your assets in the trust while still controlling the property during your lifetime. The trust owns any assets placed in it. However, you can name yourself
Read More5 Things to Consider in a Maryland Divorce Process
Other than death, few life events are more stressful than divorce. When you are going through the Maryland divorce negotiation process, it’s easy to think in terms of harming your ex-spouse rather than helping yourself. In the long run, that is not a productive strategy. Protect your own interests by finding good legal representation and
Read MoreInheritance Tax in Maryland: How to Deal With It
Maryland is one of just two states imposing both an estate and inheritance tax. The other is nearby New Jersey. You do not have to worry about the latter tax if you inherit money from your spouse, parents, grandparents, siblings, or step parents. Property left to charity is also not subject to inheritance tax. However,
Read MoreNoah’s Law and its Effect on People With DUIs
Maryland has incurred a great deal of legislation pertaining to DUI law. Although Maryland has a very reliable method of public transportation conveniently connected to Washington D.C.’s metro, many citizens of the state still drive. As a result of this, Maryland has had several incidences of DUI’s that they have driven legislators to create new
Read MoreNew Maryland Law: Property Seizure
Historically speaking, it was very difficult for the average American to imagine that their property could, in theory, be seized by police officers. Within the United States, there has been a preconceived notion that the state could never take property unfairly. Even though this is normally correct, one has to take into account the different
Read MoreCommon Mistakes Made by Police Officers During an Arrest
Being arrested can be a terrifying experience, and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and confused about what is happening. However, it is important to remember that you have legal rights and that the police must follow certain procedures when making an arrest. Unfortunately, police officers sometimes make mistakes during the arrest process, which
Read More
