Resources

The following links and resources are provided by the Coover Law Firm in Columbia for the benefit of people seeking information on family law, real estate law, land use and zoning, and construction law in Howard County and surrounding Maryland communities. We hope these resources help you find the information you are looking for. If you need legal assistance in a family law or civil litigation matter, please contact our office to speak with an attorney.

Maryland Family Law Resources

Child Support Calculator – Child support is figured according to a statutory formula that takes into account both parents’ income, the number of children and many other factors. This online calculator can help estimate the amount of child support a parent may have to pay in a divorce, but remember that this is an estimate only, and the actual result may be higher or lower.

Child Support Enforcement Administration – If you are having trouble getting your ex to meet the monthly child support obligation, the CSEA can help. For instance, they may be able to help locate a parent or initiate a wage garnishment from the ex-spouse’s paycheck to cover the support amount. Your own divorce lawyer can also help you get paid through various legal means.

Child Protective Services – CPS may act to remove a child from the home when abuse or neglect is suspected. As a parent, you have rights during this process, including the right to legal representation. If you are a grandparent or other interested family member, you may be able to obtain temporary care and custody of the children while the process is pending.

National Family Resilience Center – This organization provides parenting seminars and other services to help children and parents during divorce or separation to ease the transition while maintaining health, long-term family relationships. The national headquarters of the NFRC is located in Columbia, just down the street from our office.

Maryland Business Law Resources

Division of State Documents – View online versions of the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) and the Maryland Register. This site contains links to business and corporation information, insurance forms, the annotated code of Maryland, and more.

Comptroller of Maryland – Online services for individuals and businesses to help them prepare and file taxes and stay in compliance with state tax laws.

Real Estate

Maryland Association of Realtors®

Frederick County Association of Realtors®

Howard County Association of Realtors®

Anne Arundel County Association of Realtors®

Department of Assessments & Taxation – This office administers and enforces the property assessment and property tax laws of Maryland. If you have a question about a specific property, use this link to find the assessment office in the jurisdiction where the property is located. For questions regarding sole proprietorships and legal entity assessments, see the Business Personal Property Division.

Maryland Attorney General, Home Builder Registration Unit – All home builders who build homes in Maryland must be registered with this office. Home builders may register online, and home buyers can verify whether a builder is registered and find other helpful information on buying a new home.

Business and Technology Case Management Program – This program enables the circuit court to handle business and technology matters in a coordinated way to make business and technology litigation more efficient and responsive to the needs of the litigants.

Maryland Real Estate Commission – This office serves home buyers and sellers and regulates the holders of real estate licenses in the state of Maryland. Use the website to search for and verify the license of an agent or broker, review disciplinary actions or file a complaint regarding a Maryland real estate transaction.

Open Records – This link takes you to open records and meetings laws related to homeowners associations, time share estate owners associations, and condominium councils of unit owners.

Maryland Land Use and Zoning Resources

Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning

Anne Arundel County Office on Planning and Zoning

Carroll County Commissioner, Bureau of Permits and Inspections, Land Use, Planning and Development

Baltimore County Department of Planning – page on zoning, interactive map of neighborhoods. Download the Baltimore County Citizens Guide to Planning and Zoning. See the Zoning Office for zoning regulations and other information.

Maryland Construction Legal Resources

Maryland Building Codes – This page links to local government building code ordinances as well as resources available from the International Code Council (ICC).

Maryland Fire Codes and Sprinkler Ordinances – This page links to the Maryland State Fire Marshal, Maryland Fire Prevention Code and regulations, local fire code ordinances, residential sprinkler ordinances, and more.

Howard County Building Inspections, Licenses and Permits

Maryland Board of Contract Appeals – This agency has jurisdiction over appeals involving bid and contract disputes between the state and contractors or vendors doing business with the state.

Office of Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division – This agency provides mediation to help resolve complaints between consumers and businesses or heath insurance carriers. You can also check if other complaints have been filed against a business or make sure that your new home builder is properly registered

Legal Glossary of Terms

Interested in law terms and definitions? Visit our legal glossary directory.