Tax Break For Pet Foster Parents

by Dave Gormley | Posted in Civil Law & Consumer | Reading Time: < 1 minute

Years ago my daughter adopted a great dane. He is now passed on, but he became a part of our family. If you think we are crazy to have a great dane you should take some time to learn about this great bread of dog. When I realized we were coming up on the anniversary...

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Maryland’s Laws on Underage Drinking

by Tucker Clagett | Posted in Civil Law & Consumer | Reading Time: 4 minutes

What is the law regarding parents allowing teens to drink? Is it ever legal? How far can parents go in allowing underage drinking? We will explain the laws about allowing underage drinking at your home, and the possible civil and criminal penalties you could face. We also provide links to some great resources for talking...

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Driving with Earbuds in Maryland

by Tucker Clagett | Posted in Civil Law & Consumer | Reading Time: 3 minutes

Get ready.  When you read this story you will say “just like a lawyer!” A few years ago, I was driving my daughter and her best friend on an hour long trip.  I wanted to listen to a podcast while I drove, and I didn’t want to force the girls to listen.  They were talking...

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DIY Legal – How to Litigate a Small Claims Case

by Tucker Clagett | Posted in Civil Law & Consumer | Reading Time: 21 minutes

Sometimes you need to go to court, but it just isn’t worth the money to hire a lawyer. If the lawyer’s fee would equal any recovery you get from the case, then why do it? That is why the judicial system created Small Claims Court.  A non-lawyer should be able to get their day in...

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Consumer Guide to Hiring Home Improvement Contractors

by Tucker Clagett | Posted in Civil Law & Consumer | Reading Time: 7 minutes

A Home improvement project gone wrong can cost you a LOT in time, money, and peace of mind. I have litigated several home improvement disputes over the years. Believe me, you want to avoid being in that position. It is stressful, and expensive.  You can do a lot to avoid being in that situation if...

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Firework Laws in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC

by Tucker Clagett | Posted in Civil Law & Consumer | Reading Time: 3 minutes

While fireworks actually predate American history by a few thousand years, fireworks have been a long standing symbol of American Independence since 1777. Original celebrations of our independence included the firing of guns and cannons. While that has understandably fallen out of public favor due to safety concerns (imagine blasting a cannon in your backyard...

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Think Before Adding Children to a Deed

by Dave Gormley | Posted in Civil Law & Consumer | Reading Time: 4 minutes

We get a LOT of calls from people who want to add their children or another family member to the deed to their house. But before you proceed with adding someone to a deed, you need to consider the tax and financial implications. They have the best intentions – but they may be making a...

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Families First Coronavirus Response Act

by Tucker Clagett | Posted in Civil Law & Consumer | Reading Time: 4 minutes

Families firs corona virus response act

Two new federal laws take effect April 1, 2020. Both were created in response to the Covid-19 threat on March 18, 2020. Both provide significant new protections for employees. And, predictably, both are confusing and unclear! Our firm does not handle employment law cases, but since these laws are of great interest to many of...

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