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Q: Is my employer legally obligated to distribute credit card tips?
I'm working at a job in Maryland that opened on August 28th. Since we started, we haven't received any credit card tips, despite dividing cash tips at the end of each shift. All employees, except management, are affected. We've spoken to our leads, who said they need to check... View More 
Mark Oakley
answered on Sep 23, 2026
answered on Sep 23, 2026
Under Maryland and federal law it is illegal for an employer to withhold credit card tips for employees, and the only amount that may be deducted is the amount of any credit card transaction fees incurred by the employer. All the rest must be paid over to the employees.
You can submit a... View More
Q: Do I own the property after my ex-husband's death without a will?
My ex-husband recently passed away, and we were both on the deed to our house in Maryland, listed without any right of survivorship. The divorce decree did not specify anything about the house. There is no will, and our children prefer to sell the property rather than own it. Do I automatically own... View More
Mark Oakley
answered on Sep 23, 2026
answered on Sep 23, 2026
Upon divorce, by Maryland statute, any real property held jointly or as tenants by the entireties by the divorced spouses is automatically converted to "tenants in common" ownership. That means you own 50% of the property, and your ex-spouse owned 50%.
Your ex-spouse's 50%... View More
Q: Do I own the property after my ex-husband's death without a will?
My ex-husband recently passed away, and we were both on the deed to our house in Maryland, listed without any right of survivorship. The divorce decree did not specify anything about the house. There is no will, and our children prefer to sell the property rather than own it. Do I automatically own... View More
Cedulie Renee Laumann
answered on Sep 23, 2026
answered on Sep 23, 2026
No, a former spouse would NOT automatically own their ex's interest in property. Survivorship rights, even if listed, terminate at divorce.
The portion belonging to a deceased ex husband would need to go through his probate estate. If he did not have a Will designating a Personal... View More
Q: How can we handle a small estate without a will in TN?
My mother passed away in Tennessee last month without a will. She had two bank accounts valued at under $6,000, without a designated beneficiary, and the family home is titled in her name only. My father, who has a limited income, cannot afford a lawyer. We want to understand if it's possible... View More
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Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Sep 23, 2026
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 23, 2026
The realistic answer is that a licensed attorney who is NOT an expert in probate matters would find this to be challenging, requiring a lot of research and maybe more. Hiring an attorney will make this far more manageable. It does not have to be anywhere as expensive as a full... View More
Q: How does equity-only compensation and 1099 classification affect F-1 STEM OPT compliance with startup employment in Oregon?
I am currently on F-1 STEM OPT with a full-time, paid job at Employer A. I've received an offer for a second STEM-related position at a startup, Employer B, for 20 hours per week. Employer B offers all employees 1% equity instead of wages and is willing to establish an employer-employee... View More
Kyle M. Kinzy
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answered on Sep 23, 2026
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 23, 2026
Hello, my name is Kyle Kinzy and I have been practicing immigration law for more than 25 years. You might have a regular EAD, which allows work in the U.S. with few limitations, and this would likely mean that you could do almost any legal work in the U.S. STEM OPT is federal training employment,... View More
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