Consumer

This article covers a simple scenario: "As is" sale of a car to a stranger. Steps and required documents are explained.

What does Maryland require to lawfully drive a car? Registration, title and license plates; an inspection; a valid driver’s license; an emissions test; and insurance.

A public record can be corrected or a vehicle titled by petitioning for a writ of mandamus. Mandamus (Latin for "we command") is a writ issued by a court commanding a public official to perform an action.

Learn about your options if your new car spends needs major repairs.

Bankruptcy laws help people who can no longer pay their creditors get a fresh start – by liquidating assets to pay their debts or by creating a repayment plan.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is a federal court process designed to reorganize and repay your debts.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is a federal court process designed to eliminate most of your debts. The court will appoint a trustee, who will arrange to liquidate all of your assets, with the exception of certain "exempt" assets.

Special debts like child support, alimony and student loans, will not be eliminated when filing for bankruptcy.

Depending on where you live (or have assets), you may file in Greenbelt or Baltimore. You must show that you live in Maryland or you had a business or most of your assets in Maryland.

Can a Judge ever turn down a bankruptcy petition? Who notifies the creditors and bill collectors? Can I use bankruptcy to stop foreclosure on my home or to stop other actions by creditors?

In Maryland, you can keep certain property, even if you file for bankruptcy. This property is called "exempt".

For personal debts, most people file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is quicker and simpler than a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Follow these 10 tips as you hire a building contractor.

This article defines a contract and discusses some of the common legal issues in contract law.

Improving your home is a key part of home ownership. When using a contractor understanding the contract is key.

Improving your home is a key part of home ownership. This article describes how to resolve disputes with your home improvement contractor.

A power of attorney is a document that gives someone legal authority to act for another person.

Credit is the privilege to borrow money and obtain goods today based upon a promise to make repayments in the future. Credit is not a right, but merely a privilege that can be lost if it is not used responsibly.

The Maryland Job Applicant Fairness Act makes it illegal for most employers to require a credit check for job applicants.

Credit Counseling Agencies are nonprofit agencies that help debtors work with creditors to arrange a repayment plan as a means of reducing their debt without filing for bankruptcy.

“Debt collectors” are collection agencies, attorneys, creditors collecting for someone else, and creditors collecting under another name as well as others. Creditors collecting for themselves are not “debt collectors.” Under the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act debt collectors may not...

Learn how to work with creditors during a time of financial hardship.

To garnish is to take property, most often a portion of someone's salary, by legal authority. Garnishment is a proceeding by a creditor to collect a debt by taking the property or assets of a debtor.

Employees of the federal government, Maryland State government, and a local government in Maryland have certain protections during a government shutdown where the employee is involuntarily furloughed from work. These protections apply even if the employee is required to report to work during the furlough.

There are laws that protect certain income and assets from debt collectors. This is sometimes known as being “Collection Proof” or "Judgment Proof".

In 2011, the General Assembly passed a law requiring firms offering debt settlement services to register with the Commissioner of Financial Regulation

Buying on credit, over time, is very popular these days. Yet once in a while, a bill has a mistake on it. What can you do when your credit card bill has a mistake?

Mistakes on your credit report can affect your ability to obtain credit, insurance, employment, or rent or buy a home or car. Errors on your credit report can be corrected to accurately reflect your current credit.

Understanding Spousal Debt: Spouses are usually not liable for each other's debts, except when co-signing or jointly opening accounts.

In Maryland, debts must be collected within a certain time. If you owe money to someone, the person is called a creditor, and what you owe them is called a debt. The creditor generally has 3 years (4 years if the debt is owed for the sale of goods) from the date the debt becomes due to ask the court to order you to pay. A court order to pay a debt is known as a judgment. If the creditor does not go to court within the time limit, then the court generally will not order you to pay the debt.

Do you have warning signs of a debt problem? If so, what can you do?

To garnish is to take property, most often a portion of someone's salary, by legal authority. Garnishment is a proceeding by a creditor to collect a debt by taking the property or assets of a debtor.

What identity theft is, how to deal with the threat of identity theft, and organizations that can help.

Small Claims Court is a division of the District Court of Maryland that handles disputes involving no more than $5,000.

This article explains various types of student loans and gives tips on determining which kind you have.

If you are dissatisfied with the product or service provided by a Maryland business, there are government and non-government agencies which provide a way for you to pursue a complaint.

A warranty is a promise from the manufacturer or the seller of a product.  The promise means that the manufacturer or seller will replace or repair a defective product for a set period of time after purchase.  If a manufacturer or a seller violates (“breaches”) the warranty, then the buyer can sue the seller for damages.