Maryland Legal Guides
26 guides covering Maryland topics, each with Caselaw search beside the article.
Where to search Maryland lawFree caselaw search for Maryland — search by citation, case name, or legal issue, with full text and PDFs.
- Adverse Possession in Maryland
Maryland adverse possession: 20 years under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-103. Elements, taxes, color of title, and linked Maryland opinions.
- Can I Get Sued After a Car Accident in Maryland? Does Fault Matter?
Maryland car accident lawsuits and fault: contributory negligence (any plaintiff fault can bar recovery) under Contributory negligence at common law; Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-108 (last clear chance), when you can sue or be sued, insurance rules, and the statute of limitations (3 years — Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101).
- Castle Doctrine in Maryland: Deadly Force Against Intruders
Maryland castle doctrine: when occupants may use deadly force against home intruders, key statutes (case law), presumptions, and leading cases.
- Child Custody and Parenting Time in Maryland
How Maryland courts decide custody and parenting time under Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law §§ 9-101 to 9-108, including best-interests factors, relocation, and modification.
- DUI Penalties in Maryland
Maryland DUI penalties under Md. Code Ann., Transp. § 21-902: BAC limits, first-offense range, when a DUI becomes a felony, and ignition-interlock rules.
- How Does Bond Work in Maryland? Bail and Pretrial Release Explained
Maryland bail and bond explained: cash, surety, and ROR. Types of release, what judges consider at a bail hearing, forfeiture risks, and linked Maryland opinions under Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. §§ 5-101 to 5-104.
- How Does Eviction Work in Maryland?
Maryland eviction / failure to pay rent / tenant holding over / breach of lease under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. §§ 8-401 to 8-402.1: notices, filing forum, timeline to a writ of possession, and common tenant defenses.
- How Do You Make a Valid Will In Maryland?
In order to make a valid will under Maryland law, the will must be: In writing; Signed by the testator, or by some other person for the testator, in the testator’s presence and by the testator’s express direction; and Attested and signed by…
- How to Challenge a Marriage After Death in Maryland
Can a surviving spouse who procured a marriage using inequitable means be denied surviving spousal rights after death? Yes, according to a recent Maryland appellate court decision you can challenge surviving spouse rights incurred as a resu…
- How to File a Lawsuit Without a Lawyer in Maryland: Pro Se Litigation Guide
A practical Maryland guide to representing yourself: what statutes, cases, and rules are; how to draft and file a complaint; how service and MDEC (Maryland Electronic Courts) registration work; discovery; evidence; and how LawDiver helps you research authorities in the corpus.
- How to File for Divorce in Maryland
Maryland divorce filing guide: At least one party must have resided in Maryland for 1 year before filing on most grounds (shorter presence may suffice for adultery or desertion occurring in-state). equitable distribution; linked statutes and process overview.
- How to Get a Prison Sentence Reduced in Maryland
Paths to shorten or correct a Maryland prison sentence under Md. Rule 4-345: modification motions, good-time credits, parole, and post-conviction relief — with linked Maryland opinions.
- How to Modify Alimony in Maryland
Step-by-step guide to modifying alimony in Maryland under Md. Code, Fam. Law §§ 11-107, 11-108: changed-circumstances standards, retirement and cohabitation rules, when changes take effect, and the cases that matter.
- How to Modify Child Support in Maryland
Step-by-step guide to modifying a Maryland child support order under Md. Code, Fam. Law § 12-104: what counts as a change in circumstances, when changes take effect, and the cases that matter.
- Is Abortion Legal in Maryland?
Maryland abortion law after Dobbs: protected access. Legal until viability, with life/health exceptions thereafter. Linked statutes and Maryland opinions.
- Maryland Alimony: Eligibility, Amount, and Duration
How Maryland courts award alimony under Md. Code, Fam. Law §§ 11-101 to 11-111: eligibility, statutory factors, duration, and leading cases.
- Maryland Child Support Guidelines: How Support Is Calculated
How Maryland calculates child support under Md. Code, Fam. Law §§ 12-201 to 12-204, including the income shares, deviations, modification, and leading cases.
- Maryland Evidence Law: Admissibility, Hearsay, and Authenticity
A practitioner guide to Maryland evidence law under the Maryland Rules of Evidence: general admissibility, character evidence, hearsay and its workhorse exceptions, unavailable declarants, depositions at trial, party admissions, dying declarations, medical statements, and a dedicated authenticity section — with case and statute links in the LawDiver corpus.
- Petitioning for Expungement in Maryland
Maryland expungement begins with Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. § 10-110, expunging a criminal record. This guide follows that petition, the records that travel under a different section, and the opinions that have already decided these requests.
- Security Deposit Return in Maryland
How Maryland landlords must handle residential security deposits under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203: limits, return deadlines, and wrongful-withholding remedies.
- Stand Your Ground Laws in Maryland
Maryland stand-your-ground overview (duty-to-retreat (outside the home)): duty to retreat, statutes, civil immunity, and controlling cases.
- Surviving Spouse Rights Maryland
Maryland law provides for widows with important surviving spouse rights and entitlements, including: Intestate Share Allowance Elective Share What Are The Surviving Spouse's Rights in Maryland If There Is No Will? If a decedent in Maryland …
- What Happens If I Refuse a Breathalyzer Test in Maryland?
Maryland implied-consent consequences for refusing a chemical breath or blood test under Md. Code Ann., Transp. § 16-205.1, including license suspension and evidence use.
- Who are Next of Kin in Maryland
Next of kin are generally defined in Maryland as the closest members of one’s family, and are limited to those people living who are the closest blood relatives to the person in question. Who Are Next of Kin In Maryland? Generally, next of …
- Who Can Create a Revocable Trust In Maryland?
A revocable trust is often used as a way to avoid probate, and is prepared during the estate planning process. In Maryland, you must be 18 years of age or older to create a revocable trust. MD Est & Trusts Code §§ 4-101 and 14.5-601 . M…
- Who Can Serve As Personal Representative In Maryland?
In order to serve as the personal representative of a Maryland estate, the personal representative must be: At least 18 years old Of sound mind Who Cannot Serve As a Personal Representative In Maryland? Maryland law prohibits certain…