Author Archives: Site Administrator
Beneficiaries Instead of Probate: Use Caution
The term “probate” refers to the court process whereby a decedent’s assets are gathered together and, after the payment of the decedent’s debts, distributed to the decedent’s heirs. One way to avoid probate is through the use of beneficiary designations. The only assets that pass through probate are assets the decedent owned in his… Read More »
Avoid Naming Your Minor Children as Beneficiaries
Beneficiary designations can be an effective tool to avoid probate, if used appropriately. (See Beneficiaries Instead of Probate: Use Caution). Assets can go quickly and directly to loved ones after your death. However, there are certain types of beneficiaries that should be avoided. First and foremost – no minor beneficiaries! I recently represented a… Read More »
6 Reasons Not to Put Your Child’s Name on the Deed to your House
Instead of drafting a Will, many people just put their child’s name on the deed to their house. Their goal is to make things easier for their child by eliminating the need to go through probate. If the house is the only asset, this can be an effective way to avoid probate. (If there… Read More »
Worker’s Compensation Benefits In Bankruptcy
By Clifford Sobin, Esq. and Jeff Sherman, Esq. (Guest Author) If you are injured on the job, the consequences can be devastating. Not only do you and your family have to confront the effects of the injury, you also have to deal with the financial impact as well. Sometimes, the financial consequences due to… Read More »
What Are Your Medical Treatment Rights Under Maryland Workers’ Compensation Law
By Clifford B. Sobin, Esq. The easy answer is that you have the right to medical treatment reasonably related to your injury on the job. Furthermore, once accepted by the workers’ compensation insurance carrier, you do not have to pay deductible or co-pay if the medical provider is in Maryland (see my next blog… Read More »
The First Week After Your Maryland Workers’ Compensation Injury
By Clifford Sobin, Esq. What you do during the first week after being injured on the job will set the tone for the rest of your claim. It is the most important time. You must: Report the injury to your employer. Get medical treatment as soon as possible. Don’t let several days pass. Give… Read More »
Medicare and Old Workers’ Compensation Claims
A letter from Medicare is in the mail. The envelope doesn’t look much different from others you have received from Medicare. You open it without thinking or much concern. What it says shocks you. Medicare (actually an outfit called MSPRC) is alerting you that it no longer will pay for treatment or wants money… Read More »
Medical Treatment Rights Under Maryland Workers’ Compensation Law For Out Of State Treatment
By Clifford B. Sobin, Esq. Last month I discussed medical treatment rights stemming from a compensable Maryland Workers’ Compensation claim. Since medical costs are controlled by the Maryland Workers’ Compensation system, you never have to pay anything for treatment required for injuries sustained as part of your compensable claim – with one catch –… Read More »
How Long Does It Take For My Maryland Workers’ Compensation Hearing To Be Scheduled?
By Clifford B. Sobin, Esq. The Short answer is – it depends. Generally, hearings are scheduled within three to four months after they are requested. However, some cases take longer and others less. The following things seem to impact the timing of hearings: Location of the hearing (some locations are inherently busier than others)… Read More »
How Are Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commissioners Selected?
By Clifford Sobin, Esq. Workers’ Compensation Commissioners are nominated by the Governor. The Maryland Senate must then approve the appointment. Their appointment is for twelve years unless a Commissioner leaves office before their term is up. If so, the new replacement Commissioner only serves for the remainder of that term. After a Commissioner’s term… Read More »