maryland law Archives - Ferguson, Schetelich, Ballew, P.A.

June 8, 2018

Potential Broad Implications from the Supreme Court’s “Narrow Ruling” in Masterpiece Cakeshop

Few decisions from the United States Supreme Court this term were as anxiously anticipated as that in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Everyone anticipated a close decision where the Court would balance religious liberty against discrimination based on sexual orientation. The decision announced on June 4, 2018 was not close and it did not decide that issue. Instead, it did something much more important. The case concerns Jack Phillips, a Colorado baker and the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, which he opened in 1993. In 2012, David Mullins and Charlie Craig, two gay men intending to get married,…

May 10, 2018

Competing Life Insurance Claims Between the Spouses in a First and Second Marriage

Family law can not only put a husband and wife in adversarial litigation; but also create competing claims between the spouses in a first and second marriage. Consider the following situation faced by the Ferguson, Schetelich & Ballew Family Law Practice group. A divorced husband was obligated by the Court’s judgment to provide life insurance for the benefit of his divorced wife. Over time, the husband remarried. The new couple made reciprocal Wills benefiting one another, and each changed their life insurance beneficiary to name the other. When the husband unexpectedly died, both the first and second spouse make claim…

April 3, 2018

Donor Advised Funds Top Planning Tools Under New Tax Law

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) went into effect on January 1, 2018. Economists argue over the winners and the losers, but one obvious loser was charitable donations and the charities that depend on them. The new tax law nearly doubles the standard deduction in 2018 — to $12,000 for singles and $24,000 for joint filers younger than age 65 — while capping or eliminating other deductions. This means it will no longer make sense for as many taxpayers to itemize deductions. In 2017, 30% of taxpayers itemized; under the new tax law that is expected to drop to…

February 12, 2018

Firm News: Schetelich Receives “Top 100 Attorneys” Award, and More

Ferguson, Schetelich & Ballew is pleased to congratulate Firm Principal Thomas Schetelich for being recognized as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Attorneys based on lifetime legal achievement. The award is based on peer nomination and independent research focusing on professional experience, significant case results, client satisfaction, and public service. Mr. Schetelich was honored for his work in business law and business litigation. Earlier in the month, Mr. Schetelich, along with Firm Principal Jocelyn Szymanowski, were invited by the Child Evangelism Fellowship to present at their annual training for staff and volunteers. Mr. Schetelich and Ms. Szymanowski discussed the recent cases…

January 31, 2018

Paid Leave Is Now Maryland Law

Earlier this month, the Maryland Senate voted to override Governor Hogan’s veto of the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act. As a result, that legislation is poised to take effect on February 11, 2018. The Act’s most notable provision requires that employers with 15 or more employees provide full time employees at least 5 days of paid leave per year. For employers with fewer than 15 employees, the leave can be unpaid. Employees who regularly work 12 hours or more per week are also to receive 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Paid leave may be used…

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