Posted on November 09, 2020 in Family Law

The division of property during a divorce is one of the most tiring parts of the entire process. It doesn’t help if your spouse is uncooperative, or worse, hiding their assets.

Spouses can hide their assets for a variety of reasons. One common reason occurs in states with equitable property laws, where the division of property in a divorce may not split evenly between the two parties. Instead, one spouse may receive a higher percentage of assets based on their financial status and contributions during the marriage.

Maryland is an equitable property state. Your spouse may try to hide assets to ensure they can hold onto it in case they fear the equitable division will not be in their favor.

Regardless of the reason, your spouse must present all their assets during a divorce. Here are some ways you may be able to tell if your spouse is hiding assets:

• Through a business – If your spouse owns a business, they can use the company to shield their assets, such as making it seem like the business is worth less than it is.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 04, 2020 in Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is widely said to give you a fresh start financially, and that’s exactly what it does. You can get out from under your debt and start again. It offers various ways to do this, such as liquidating assets with Chapter 7 or creating an affordable repayment plan with Chapter 13.

However, once you have that fresh start, you need to know how to make the most of it. A lot of that comes down to budgeting. Here are a few key steps to take as you get started.

1. Begin by listing out expenses that you cannot avoid. These are necessities. Be honest with yourself, and only list things you must have, not things that you want. Examples include paying the rent or buying groceries.
2. Keep track of what you spend every single day. Write it down and compare it against your income. Many people overspend and don’t even realize it, then they can’t see why their debt piles up again. Tracking allows you to see exactly where the money goes and what changes you can make.

   Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 04, 2020 in Family Law

There are typically two sets of custody orders issued throughout the protracted process when a couple with minor children divorces in Maryland. The courts will typically issue a temporary order on the day that one spouse files for divorce. They will later issue a final order at the end of divorce proceedings, which many people view as a permanent determination.

However, the family courts in Maryland readily acknowledge that family circumstances can change, potentially necessitating adjustments to your custody arrangements or parenting plan. A parent whose circumstances at the time of the divorce precluded fully shared custody could improve their situation and be better suited to co-parenting after the divorce.

If you have only visitation or if your ex has substantially more parenting time or sole legal custody while you only share physical custody, you may be able to request a custody modification that allocates more parental responsibilities and parenting time to you. You deserve to spend time with your children and to have a say in the decisions that impact the course of their lives.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 04, 2020 in Bankruptcy

People who use credit cards to cover their basic cost of living expenses can quickly find themselves trapped in debt from which they cannot escape. When your expenses exceed your income, you may have no choice but to use credit cards to cover those costs.

Even if you have been working fewer hours than usual, your utility companies still expect to get paid, and you still need groceries. While you may be grateful that you have credit cards to help you cover those costs, eventually you could find yourself carrying a dangerously high balance that you have no way of paying off in full.

There are plenty of companies that advertise debt relief solutions for those dealing with credit card debt, but bankruptcy may actually be a better option if you can’t manage your credit card payments any longer.

Debt relief and settlement can mean more debt and damaged credit

Companies advertising that they will help you settle your credit card debt or consolidate your existing debts into a single loan make money off the services that they provide. However, their clients have very little recourse if they don’t do their job.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 04, 2020 in DWI

You were traveling after work and decided to take a break at a local bar before going home. You thought it would be nice to grab something to eat and drink, watch the game and then head back.

You didn’t think that you’d have enough to drink to be at risk of driving drunk, so you had no qualms about getting into your car after dinner and heading home. Unfortunately, an officer watching you pull out from the bar was following you. You felt uncomfortable with it and looked away from the road for a few seconds to check your mirrors. You went out of your lane temporarily and adjusted back quickly, but this was enough for the officer to pull you over.

Now, they’re claiming that you’re too intoxicated to drive.

Fortunately, your attorney can look into the evidence that was gathered against you for a DUI charge and determine if:

• The police made any errors

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 04, 2020 in Bankruptcy

Mistakes with credit cards are one of the leading causes of financial trouble in the United States. Many people have multiple cards. This allows them to spend far more than they would actually make during the month. They find themselves suddenly unable to pay off all of that debt when it comes due.

Here are a few common mistakes that can lead to problems:

1. Paying the minimums and no more. Sometimes, people who get their first cards think that all they need to pay is the minimum. They don’t realize how much additional debt this creates in interest.
2. Exceeding your earnings. As noted above, spending more than you earn may feel like it "works" at the moment, but there will come a time when that money is due.
3. Acting like you get free money. Credit cards are anything but free. In fact, misusing the loans can be very expensive.
4. Thinking only about the rewards. Those rewards are a nice perk but spending extra to get them never works out in the end financially.

   Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 04, 2020 in Motor vehicle accidents

When people are driving, it’s essential that they pay attention to what they’re doing. They should focus on their actions and make sure they watch the road for hazards. When people make mistakes, those mistakes could end up causing a serious collision that causes severe injuries or takes people’s lives.

In this case, multiple people were hurt in a severe collision. Three people had to be rushed to the hospital following a head-on collision in Maryland. According to the news report, the crash involved an SUV and pickup truck that hit when passing on West River.

The pickup truck ended up rolling over, while the SUV was shown crumpled against the guardrail in photos from the scene. Fortunately, though the collision was severe, those involved are all expected to survive.

The crash took place at around 6:45 p.m. When firefighters arrived, they said that the pickup was already overturned, and the 24-year-old driver was able to get out on his own. He had serious injuries.

Continue Reading ››