Maryland Property Disputes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Legal disputes over property rights are common issues faced by Maryland property owners. However, as Maryland Courts have limited availability during this COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic, Maryland property owners might have a concern as whether these property disputes can be currently addressed by the Maryland Court System. Maryland property lawsuits and disputes generally involve the following categories of matters: (1) property line disputes (including as adverse possession disputes, easements matters, fence disputes, and tree disputes), (2) property ownership matters (such as probate disputes and contract disputes), and (3) property liability matters (such as trespass of property, direct harm matters, or tree dangers).

Fortunately, the Maryland Circuit Courts — although limited — are still available for parties to seek relief for Maryland Property Disputes. First, each Maryland Circuit Court is still accepting complaints to initiate a Maryland property lawsuit and pleadings to continue the prosecution of Maryland property lawsuits.

Second, while the courts are limiting public access, hearings, and in-person activity during this time, Maryland Circuit Courts are still permitting parties to seek emergency relief through immediate temporary restraining orders as described by the Maryland Court of Appeals in the continually-amended Maryland Courts’ COVID-19 Administrative Order. Specifically, each motion for temporary restraining orders related to Maryland property dispute and property lawsuits (such as related to tree concerns or adverse possession) is to be evaluated by the Circuit Court Administrative Judge (or their designee) and determine whether the property-related request (1) must be heard in person, (2) may be heard with remote electronic participation, (3) may be scheduled after the COVID-19 emergency period has ended, or (4) can possibly be addressed without requiring a hearing. Our Maryland litigation attorneys are available to work through this streamlined litigation process, and our Maryland property attorneys have, in fact, been filing pleadings on behalf of Maryland property disputes clients during this COVID-19 Pandemic

Generally, These are very fact-specific, and these property disagreements can include various tenants of law. Adam Van Grack and our firm’s litigation attorneys regularly handle different types property lawsuits, fence laws and adverse possession, tree disputes, lis pendens problems, easements, and tree damage lawsuits in Circuit Courts throughout Maryland including Montgomery County lawsuits. Specifically, Mr. Van Grack and our Maryland property lawsuit attorneys handle property disputes in Montgomery County Circuit Court (located in Rockville, MD), Howard County Circuit Court (located in Ellicott City, MD), Prince George’s County Circuit Court (located in Upper Marlboro, MD), Frederick County Circuit Court (located in Frederick, MD), Baltimore County Circuit Court (located in Towson, MD), and Baltimore City Circuit Court. If you would like to discuss a Maryland property lawsuit, litigation, or dispute or lawsuit with Mr. Van Grack, call Longman & Van Grack today at (301) 291-5027 to schedule a telephonic consultation.