Technically, SuperSooners is a different name

Seattle lawyer Paul Lawrence, left, developer Matt Griffin, who was part of a group proposing to buy the Seattle SuperSonics, and Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis... More

What is marital property?

Marital property is defined as all property acquired by either or both parties during their marriage. It does not include property acquired prior to the marriage, property acquired by inheritance or gift from a third party or property excluded by valid agreement or traceable to any of these sources. Whether or not alimony is awarded, a court may still make a monetary award based on the value of all marital property. In determining the award and amount, the court is required to consider many factors.... More

What are alimony and child support?

Alimony is payment for support of a spouse. Under the law of Maryland, either party may claim alimony from the other. The fact that the party seeking alimony may be guilty of some ground for divorce does not prevent an award of alimony to that party.  Each party has a responsibility for the support of a minor child or children. A formula called the child support guidelines is used by the court to determine the amount of child support. Child support awards are primarily based on the gross incomes... More

What are grounds for divorce?

A limited divorce may be granted on the following grounds: 1. Cruelty of treatment of spouse or a minor child. 2. Excessively vicious conduct. 3. Desertion. 4. Parties are voluntarily living separate and apart without cohabitation and there is no reasonable expectation of reconciliation. An absolute divorce may be granted because of: 1. Adultery. 2. Separation of the parties under the following circumstances: uninterrupted desertion for at least 12 months, which is deliberate and final and in which... More

What are the types of divorce?

There are two types in Maryland: A limited divorce specifies the rights and obligations of the parties, but does not provide for final division of property (including pension and retirement funds) and does not permit remarriage. An absolute divorce terminates the marriage and determines all rights and obligations of the parties, including final division of property. Source: Maryland State Bar Association  Read More →

Long-term care: What legal documents are needed?

From an estate-planning perspective, wills, financial powers of attorney and advanced medical directives. From the long-term care service perspective, contracts with the long-term care provider should be carefully reviewed. An advanced medical directive usually provides for very difficult end-of-life decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment. Do-not-resuscitate orders can be used if an individual desires and are usually obtained from health-care providers. What plans can people make in case they... More

Long-term care: What legal issues arise?

Health-care decision-making and financial management issues for the patient need to be addressed through proper execution of financial powers of attorney and advanced medical directives. Then, the actual payment of the long-term care service is often considered, which may involve planning for the submission of an application for Medicaid. Simultaneously, a review of other estate-planning documents is usually performed. What if the patient becomes mentally unable to make decisions? In the best case,... More

What is long-term care, when do we need it and how do we plan for it?

Long-term care is a phrase that describes an array of services provided by skilled nursing professionals who support individuals who need assistance due to mental or physical limitations, or both. These limitations may be caused by illness, injury or diminished mental capacity. Anyone concerned with the potential for the need to receive long-term care services either for themselves, family or friends should consider planning. Typically, senior citizens, or children of senior citizens, seek planning. Long-term... More

The Nutraloaf taste test

Is the log of ground-up food served to problem inmates in prisons all over the country foul enough to constitute cruel and unusual punishment, as prisoners in lots of jurisdictions have charged? Slate has this piece in which the author made “Nutraloaf” recipes from three different states’ prison systems and invited friends for a taste test. The consensus... More

Untraceable guns, untraceable crime

According to the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, gun dealers nationwide “lost” an average of at least 82 firearms every day last year. For all of fiscal year 2007, this adds up to a grand total of more than 30,000 firearms that cannot be accounted for in dealers’ inventories. The Brady Center analyzed this month’s data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which led to these disturbing figures. Untraceable guns are the perfect fit for criminals seeking to become... More

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