LegalEase – July/August 2022

July 27, 2022

From Our Computers to Yours

Friends:

          We hope you are having a nice summer.  Hopefully, you are getting out more often and enjoying time with family and friends.

As you probably already know, we are located in Rockville, just blocks from the Circuit Court and District Court buildings.  Because of our location, we are often asked if we take cases in other Maryland counties.  The answer is “Absolutely.”   As members of the Maryland State Bar Association, we practice in all Maryland counties.  We are also members of the District of Columbia Bar and the Federal courts for D.C. and Maryland.

We’re also asked “How long have you been in practice?”  That is an excellent question!  Between Josh and I, we have more than 50 years of experience as attorneys.

Keep asking us questions!  When you are looking for an attorney, you should always ask questions and get answers that satisfy you.

We’ll be back with our next newsletter in September.  Until then, have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Your Attorney,
Steve Bienstock

NEW LAWS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2022

Washington, D.C.

Minimum Wage Increase: Minimum wage in D.C. increased from $15.20 to $16.10 per hour for all workers, regardless of employer size. For tipped workers, such as servers, the base minimum wage increased from $5.05 to $5.35 per hour.

Maryland

Minimum Wage Increase in Montgomery County:  Minimum wage increased to $15.65 for people working at large companies, $14.50 for workers at mid-sized companies, and $14.00 for those working for small companies.

Abortion Access:  Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and midwives are allowed to perform abortions, and insurance companies are required to cover the procedure.

Sales:  Certain items sold in Maryland are now exempt from the sales and use tax, including diapers, diaper rash cream, baby wipes, baby bottles, baby bottle nipples, infant car seats, oral hygiene products, thermometers, pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors, respirators, and certain diabetic care products.

Gas Tax Increase: Bad news. The gas tax in Maryland has increased. A gallon of regular now costs about 7 cents more in Maryland.  (The gas tax is nearly $.43/gallon.)

Tax Credit:  A tax credit for many retired Marylanders was established. The credit will be worth up to $1,000 for an individual and $1,750 for a married couple.  There is an age and income limit, however.

Hunting:  Sunday hunting is now allowed under certain circumstances.

Education:  Local school systems must now provide equal access to digital tools for students with disabilities.

BELIEVE IT OR DON’T!
Family Matters

  • A man tried to change the birthdate on his newborn’s birth certificate, claiming he had the power to do it as the child’s father.
  • On average, 12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily.
  • Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin both married their first cousins.
  • Keith Richards snorted his dead father’s ashes, mixed with cocaine.
  • Worth over $123 billion, Bill Gates will leave his children “only” $10 million each. He’s giving away the rest.
  • Brigham Young had 55 wives and fathered 57 children.

Q&A

 Q.  After I die, is the Personal Representative named in my Will automatically appointed Personal Representative?
  • A. No. Appointment of the Personal Representative is not automatic.  The named Personal Representative must petition the Court to be appointed, and the Court must grant the appointment.  This is the first step in opening your estate.  Your family may very well need help with estate administration and the probate process.  The loss of a loved one is never an easy time.  We are here to help them.
Q.  I’m going through a divorce and am trying to understand what is marital property and what is not.  If I bought a house before getting married, is it non-marital property?
  • A. This is not always easy to figure out. If marital funds were used to pay the mortgage, taxes, repairs, etc., the house then becomes part marital and part non-marital.  If your divorce goes to Court, a Judge will decide.  You should talk with us about your specific situation.
 Q.  My husband is in jail and was denied bail. Is that the final word or can it be appealed?
  • A. Bail is set by a Commissioner, and quickly reviewed by a Judge.  If the Judge doesn’t release your husband, your attorney can ask for a bond review hearing and try and convince the Court to release him.  We can help you understand your case, your options, and your rights. Give us a call.

Do you have a question for us?
Are there any topics you would like to hear more about? 
Email our Paralegal, Sheila, at sheila@bienstocklegal.com
or call us on 301-251-1600.