Why Updating Beneficiary Designations Is a Critical Part of Estate Planning
Beneficiary designations determine who receives certain assets at death and often override instructions in a will or trust. Keeping beneficiary designations up to date is a critical part of estate planning and helps ensure assets ...
Estate Planning After Divorce or Remarriage in Maryland
Estate planning after divorce or remarriage ensures that wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and decision-making documents reflect your current family structure and priorities. Without updates, outdated documents may leave assets to unintended recipients or give former ...
What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Maryland?
When someone dies without a will in Maryland, state intestacy laws determine who inherits their assets, who administers the estate, and how guardianship decisions are made. Without a will, families may face delays, court involvement, ...
State Lowers Abuse Compensation: Urgent Deadline Approaches for Maryland Survivors
Towson, MD — May 2025In the wake of a surge in sexual abuse claims involving Maryland’s juvenile detention system, the state legislature has enacted amendments to the Maryland Child Victims Act (MCVA) that will significantly ...
$500,000 Jury Verdict Highlights Insurance Agent Liability for Coverage Failures
Towson, MD — A recent jury award of $500,000 in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court underscores the serious consequences of insurance agent malpractice and the importance of ensuring that auto insurance policies are properly structured ...
$3.95 Million RESPA Settlement Finalized in Case Against Emery Federal Credit Union
April 23, 2025 – Towson, MD — Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, LLC is proud to announce that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio has granted final approval of a $3.95 million ...
Pennsylvania AG Sues Mortgage Brokers for RESPA Kickback Scheme: What Homebuyers and Whistleblowers Need to Know
Published by Smith Gildea & Schmidt | April 21, 2025 Alleged Kickbacks Violated RESPA and Inflated Borrower Costs Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry has filed a lawsuit against Barry Newhart and six Lehigh Valley mortgage ...
AI Fraud Detection & Watermarking: How Maryland and Legal Leaders Are Responding to the AI Content Boom
Smith, Gildea & Schmidt leads the legal response as Maryland legislation awaits the governor's signature. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to disrupt how content is created, shared, and interpreted, new concerns are rising — especially ...
$1.2M Settlement in Maryland Nursing Home Negligence Case: Elkton Facility Under Fire for Substandard Care
April 9, 2025 – Elkton, MarylandIn a major development in the fight against elder abuse and nursing home negligence in Maryland, Elkton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has agreed to a $1.2 million settlement following allegations ...