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Children (under age 18) are deemed to be "in the need of assistance" if there is apparent abuse (physical, sexual, emotional) or neglect by a caretaker.

Rent escrow provides a process through which a tenant pays rent into a court account instead of to the landlord until the landlord makes needed repairs. You can file a petition to establish a rent escrow account in your local District Court by filling out a "Petition in Action of Rent Escrow" form.

Changes can be made to the amount of child support ordered by a court. These modifications are usually based on a "changed circumstance" of one of custodial parents.

Kinship care is commonly defined as the "full-time care, nurturing, and protection of children by relatives, members of their tribes or clans, or other adults who have a family relationship to a child."

Explanations of common lawsuits between Landlords and Tenants.

Utilities are essential services necessary to make a dwelling livable. These include electricity, gas, water/sewage disposal, and trash collection.

Tenant's rights when the property is sold.

Custody and visitation are the legal terms for court decisions about how the child will spend his/her time between parents (or others).

This article covers the basic laws of adoption in Maryland.

Learn how to change a child’s name, what forms to use, and where to file.

Guardianship is a court proceeding. When an adult is unable to make personal decisions, such as medical decisions, or to handle his or her own property, a court can appoint a guardian.

Interested persons play a pivotal role in guardianship proceedings. For example, only an interested person can petition for guardianship.

Under Maryland law any health practitioner, police officer, or human service worker who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult is in danger is required to report that fact to the local department of social services. Any concerned person may make such a report.

Maryland law protects spouses from being disinherited by the other. The rule of law called the elective share gives the surviving spouse the right to receive a fixed amount of the deceased spouse’s estate. The purpose of the elective share is to ensure that the surviving spouse is provided for, within reason, for the remainder of his or her life.

Whether or not the guardianship is contested, a hearing on the guardianship petition will be conducted in the circuit court for the county in which the petition was filed. The two main issues in a guardianship hearing are (1) whether a guardian is needed (i.e., is the alleged disabled person really disabled?) and (2) who is the most appropriate guardian for the disabled person. The Petitioner has the burden to prove both of these issues.

This article describes laws written to keep minors in the workplace safe.

If the alleged disabled person does not already have an attorney, the court will appoint an attorney for the disabled person. This is required to ensure that the alleged disabled person’s due process rights are not violated during the guardianship proceedings.