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In This Issue
A Little Research Helps Avoid Big Problems--Some Due Diligence Tips
"Taxmageddon" and Its Impact on Estate Planning
Is Your Common Ownership Community Liable for Injuries Inflicted by Pit Bulls and Pit Bull Mix Breeds?
New Maryland Laws, Effective July 2012
Links to Practice Areas
About Our Team
Did You Know... About DARS Law Group?

Legal Insights

Articles from Our Various Practice Areas

America is admired around the world because it strives to follow the rule of law. When an American business enters into a contract in the United States, they know that that they have recourse to the most sophisticated legal system in the world if they must handle a dispute with their counterparty. While that is a reassuring thought, most business owners also know that actually using the legal system can be costly and time consuming. In fact, for all that our legal system has evolved, the ancient legal maxim of caveat emptor or "buyer beware" is still alive and well.  Read More.       

"Taxmageddon" and Its Impact on Estate Planning         

Taxmageddon is coming. This is the rather clever term being used to describe the impact of Congress' apparent inability to address the self-created deadline of December 31, 2012, when all of the so-called "Bush Tax Cuts" from 2001 are sunsetted, and the self-imposed $1 trillion dollars in spending cuts from the federal defense budget and federal social programs to be implemented.

 

If Congress does nothing about the budget and tax issues, it is estimated that there will be a resulting $494 billion tax increase in 2013. Couple that increase with the $1 trillion cuts in spending, it is easy to understand why our economy will certainly be facing a Taxmageddon.

 

So, how does Taxmageddon impact decisions about estate and estate tax planning?  Read More.

On April 26, 2012, the Maryland Court of Appeals, the highest court in the State of Maryland, issued its opinion in the case of Tracey v. Solesky, No. 53, September Term, 2011 (the "Pit Bull Case") and held that pit bulls and pit bull mix breed dogs are inherently dangerous animals. Therefore, the owners of such dogs and any other person who has the right to control the presence of these types of dogs on the property (including a landlord who has the right and/or opportunity to prohibit such dogs on leased premises) knows or has reason to know that a dog is a pit bull or crossed bred pit pull mix is strictly liable for any damage caused to a person who is attacked by the dog on the owner's or lessor's premises.  Read More.

New Maryland Laws, Effective July 2012
Maryland's legislature has been busy in both its regular and special sessions and some new laws went into effect in June and July that will be of interest to businesses and lenders.  Click here to read more about the following:  Tax on Indemnity Deeds of Trust; Motorcycle Loans, Foreclosure Purchasers - Notice Requirement, Mortgage Loan Escrow Account Interest, Mortgage Lenders and Mortgage Loan Originators, Lower Interest Rates for "Club" "Christmas" or "Vacation" Accounts, Collateral for State and Local Government Deposits, Savings Promotion Raffles, Lead Poisoning Prevention, and Ground Leases. Read More. 

Links to Practice Areas

About Our Team

Spotlight on

Cheryl U. Brown Cheryl postage stamp headshot no background

 

Cheryl U. Brown is the most recent addition to the DARS team--handling labor and employment related matters. Cheryl has more than twelve years of employment law and management experience. She has extensive employment law experience working with clients in business, government, Boards of Education and municipalities, she has advised corporate and small business clients on HR policy development and employment law compliance, hiring and firing procedures and unfair labor practices, and she is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Howard County Bar AssociationClick here to read her complete bio.

 

Did You Know?

  

DARS serves as a corporate partner for numerous nonprofit, community and charitable organizations across the region.  In this capacity, we announce the sponsorship of two important upcoming events.  The first is the Howard County Chamber of Commerce's  workshop on  Building a Highly Effective Volunteer Board.  Visit:  www.HowardChamber.com to register for the August 28th event.  In addition, DARS is proud to be a sponsor of the Howard Technology Council's annual end of summer networking reception on Wednesday, September 5th at the dockside of Clyde's downtown Columbia restaurant. Go to  www.hceda.org to register. 

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