Effective October 1, 2011 Maryland has modified the law prohibiting texting while driving.  Last year the legislature made it illegal to text while you were driving an automobile; however, it was classified as a “secondary” offense and no points were attached.  Under the new law, texting while operating a motor vehicle, as well as reading [...]

Maryland’s highest court has approved new rules to protect consumers from debt collection.   The new rules will, in part, force companies that buy consumer debt to present sufficient evidence to the court if they sue to collect on the debt. Debt buyers are companies that pay for the defaulted debt and gain the right [...]

 We live in an electronic age.  Cyberbullying is becoming more common as people have found that they  can use the internet and social media to harass or bully. On a regular basis we read about suicides and  violent retaliations that start with an email or social media posting.    Cyberbullying has now been  recognized by the [...]

Both houses of the Maryland Legislature have passed a bill shortening the time of separation for divorcing couples.  Currently, Maryland permits a divorce based on a 12 month, mutual and voluntary separation or a 2 year separation for any reason.  The new bill proposes shortening the two year separation time period to 12 months thus [...]

Maryland is the first state in the country to allow the creation of a new corporate entity known as a “Benefit Corporation”.  This law allows social entrepreneurs to include their social ideals into their corporate charters.  While these entities are then bound to their socially conscious commitments, they are also minimizing or eliminating the risk [...]

Beginning January 1, 2011, in Maryland if you fail to take any action in response to minor traffic citations, such as a speeding ticket, your driving privileges will be suspended.  The new procedure requires that you either pay the fine or request a hearing to contest the charges against you.  Prior to the new law, [...]

Maryland’s Wage Payment and Collection Law requires that employers pay wages to employees at set pay periods and at least every other week or twice a month (for non- administrative, executive, or professional employees). As of October 1, 2010, the law will add overtime pay to the definition of “wages”. An employee may seek repayment [...]

During its 2010 session, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation that revised the Maryland Child Support Guidelines.  In most cases the revised guidelines will result in an increase of between $50 to $75 per month per child, as estimated by the Maryland Department of Human Resources.  Child support in Maryland is determined by a calculation [...]