Columbia Legal Issues Blog
How much home equity can you protect in a Maryland bankruptcy?
For those dealing with unsustainable levels of debt compounded by lower-than-average household income, Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be a critical source of financial relief. Chapter 7 proceedings allow people to discharge unsecured debts like medical debt and credit card balances without having to complete a repayment period first, as is
The 4th of July saw 19 DUI crashes in Maryland
The Fourth of July has always been a holiday focused around celebrating. For many people, that includes sharing some alcoholic beverages with friends and family members. Every year, that means that people get arrested on DUI charges, often as they try to drive home. This year was no exception in
What is an underride accident?
What is an underride accident? Car accidents involving large vehicles often put those in smaller vehicles in far greater danger. Physics simply determines that smaller vehicles tend to suffer greater damage and that extends to those riding inside of them. One of the most dangerous types of accidents is known
Will calling an ambulance lead to bankruptcy?
There are many stories of people refusing to call an ambulance because they do not know how they would cover the cost of a ride to a medical center. Some of them seek other means of transportation or even try to drive themselves to the hospital. But is this financial
Does Medical Debt Lead to Bankruptcy?
Medical care in the United States is expensive. Even some individuals who have decent insurance find that the co-pays, deductibles and uninsured costs are expensive. It isn’t really surprising that medical debt is the top reason why people consider either filing for bankruptcy or taking money out of their retirement accounts. There
Did You Know that Falling at a Waterpark/Pool Can Lead to a Legal Case?
The summer is here, and it’s a great time to head to an outdoor pool or waterpark. It’s hot outside, so being able to cool down is a treat. You do need to be cautious around pools and wet surfaces, though. In a worst-case scenario, a slick area could be
Do you qualify to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Maryland?
Even those with good jobs, a home and a strong sense of responsibility can wind up in a financially precarious position where they feel like they have to file for bankruptcy due to overwhelming debt. Of all of the different forms of personal bankruptcy available, Chapter 7 bankruptcy is arguably
Don’t think of bankruptcy as a moral decision
People sometimes avoid filing bankruptcy for the simple reason that they feel bad about it. They consider filing bankruptcy to be a moral failing — they borrowed the money, so isn’t it wrong of them to use a financial tool that makes it so they do not have to pay
Are DUI checkpoints legal in Maryland?
Normally, DUI traffic stops happen when a car is in motion, a police officer sees a reason to pull the driver over and initiates a traffic stop. There is a clear set of steps that must be followed, including the officer having reasonable cause to pull the car over in
Green lights do not always mean the intersection is safe
When your light turns green, you assume that means two things. First, the cross-traffic has stopped because they now have a red light. Second, it is safe for you to proceed into the intersection, whether you are turning or just driving through. Unfortunately, both assumptions may not be true. They
