Maryland · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026
Legal help in Maryland: get back what you're owed
Eight free guides for Maryland, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.
Small Claims Map
Small claims court in Maryland
If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000
- Court
- District Court
- Filing fee
- $44
- Lawyers
- Optional
Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic
Tenant Rights Map
Renters' rights in Maryland
If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.
- Deadline to return a deposit
- 45 days
- Security deposit limit
- 1 month's rent (with exceptions)
- Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
- 10 days
- Notice before the landlord enters
- No statute
- Maryland renters' rights guide
- Getting your deposit back in Maryland
- Repairs in Maryland
- Eviction in Maryland
- Deposit return calculator
- Free deposit demand letter
- Free repair request letter
- Eviction notice timeline
Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Wage Claim Map
Unpaid wages in Maryland
If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.
- File a wage claim with
- Maryland Department of Labor
- Minimum wage (2026)
- $15.00
- Final paycheck if fired
- See the rules
- Deadline to file a wage claim
- 3 years
- Maryland wage claim guide
- Wage-theft calculator
- When was your final paycheck due?
- Free demand letter for unpaid wages
Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Lemon Car Map
Lemon law in Maryland
If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.
- Lemon law period
- 24 mo / 18,000 mi
- What makes it a lemon
- 4 repairs · 1 if unsafe · 30 days
- Covers used cars
- No
- Before you sue
- Optional
Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Tax Appeal Map
Property tax appeals in Maryland
If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.
- Deadline to appeal
- 45 days from notice date (SDAT)
- Where you appeal first
- Supervisor's level appeal (SDAT local assessment office)
- Median effective tax rate
- 0.97%
- Median yearly tax on a home
- $4,093
Opens soonThe 45-day window for the 2026 reassessment notices (mailed December 30, 2025) closed in mid-February 2026. SDAT normally mails the next third of homes their notices in late December 2026. If your home is not being reassessed, you can file a Petition for Review now through the first business day after January 1, 2027. (as of October 21, 2026)
Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Exemption Map
Property tax exemptions in Maryland
If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.
- Homestead exemption
- See the rules
- Homestead deadline
- See the guide
- Senior break
- Yes
- Disabled veterans
- Full exemption (100% rating)
- Maryland property tax exemptions
- Eligibility finder for Maryland
- County offices in Maryland
- Breaks for seniors in Maryland
- Breaks for veterans in Maryland
- Breaks for people with disabilities in Maryland
- Breaks for surviving spouses in Maryland
Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Owed Map
Unclaimed money in Maryland
Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.
- Official search
- Maryland Unclaimed Property (ClaimItMD.gov)
- Held by the state
- See the guide
- Cost to search and claim
- Free
- On MissingMoney.com
- Yes
- Maryland unclaimed money guide
- Search Maryland Unclaimed Property (ClaimItMD.gov) (official site)
- Money owed to a relative who died
- Finder fees by state
Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Divorce Law Map
Divorce in Maryland
Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.
- Residency before you can file
- 6 months (with exceptions)
- Waiting period
- No set waiting period
- Filing fee
- $165
- Maryland divorce guide
- Divorce timeline estimator
- Divorce checklist
- Served with divorce papers: what to do
Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Deadlines at a glance in Maryland
Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.
| Topic | Deadline or time limit | Rule | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small claims court | Deadline to sue: written contract | 3 years | Small Claims Map |
| Small claims court | Deadline to sue: verbal agreement | 3 years | Small Claims Map |
| Small claims court | Deadline to sue: property damage | 3 years | Small Claims Map |
| Renters' rights | Deadline to return a deposit | 45 days | Tenant Rights Map |
| Renters' rights | Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent | 10 days | Tenant Rights Map |
| Unpaid wages | Deadline to file a wage claim | 3 years | Wage Claim Map |
| Unpaid wages | Final paycheck if fired | See the rules | Wage Claim Map |
| Lemon law | Lemon law period | 24 mo / 18,000 mi | Lemon Car Map |
| Lemon law | Deadline | You must file a lawsuit within 3 years of the original delivery of the vehicle to the consumer (Com. Law § 14-1502(k)). | Lemon Car Map |
| Property tax appeals | Deadline to appeal | 45 days from notice date (SDAT) | Tax Appeal Map |
| Property tax exemptions | Homestead deadline | See the guide | Exemption Map |
| Unclaimed money | Deadline to claim | See the guide | Owed Map |
| Divorce | Residency before you can file | 6 months (with exceptions) | Divorce Law Map |
| Divorce | Waiting period | No set waiting period | Divorce Law Map |
Several problems at once? Get one plan for Maryland.
Open the finderOther problems: free official help
RobinClaim doesn't cover debt collectors, scams, custody and child support, and other areas yet. These official and nonprofit services can help in every state:
- Consumer protection office for Maryland (as listed by USA.gov)
- LawHelp.org: legal aid and know-your-rights guides by state
- Legal Services Corporation: find free legal aid near you
- American Bar Association: lawyer referral services by state
- CFPB: your rights with debt collectors
- FTC: report fraud, scams and bad business practices
Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.