Your Personal Injury and Family Law Questions, Answered in Plain English

In Maryland, you generally have three years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically bars your claim entirely. There are limited exceptions -- for example, when the injured person is a minor -- but waiting is risky. Contact the Law Office of William Burgess PA as soon as possible after an accident.

Nothing upfront. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no legal fees unless we recover money for you. Our fee comes as a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount. If we don't win, you owe us nothing. This model ensures every injured person in Southern Maryland can afford legal representation.

Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, lost income, and how the injury has affected your daily life. Pain and suffering are also factored in. There is no formula that produces an automatic number. After reviewing your records and the facts of your accident, we can give you a realistic assessment in a free consultation.

No. First offers from insurance adjusters are almost always lower than what your claim is worth. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Before you accept or sign anything, speak with an attorney. Once you accept a settlement and release the insurer from liability, you cannot go back for additional compensation -- even if your injuries worsen.

We handle car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle and truck accidents, slip and fall injuries, and wrongful death claims throughout Southern Maryland. If someone else's negligence caused your injury, we want to hear from you. We serve clients across Charles, St. Mary's, Prince George's, and Calvert counties, with our office in La Plata, MD.

It depends on the complexity of the case and whether it settles or goes to trial. Straightforward claims with clear liability can resolve in a few months. Cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, or uncooperative insurers may take one to two years or longer. We keep clients informed at every stage and work to reach the best outcome in the shortest reasonable time.

Maryland allows both fault and no-fault divorce. No-fault divorce is available after a twelve-month separation with no mutual consent requirement, or immediately if both parties agree and have no minor children together. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, and desertion. Most Maryland clients pursue no-fault divorce because it is faster and less contested. We can advise which path fits your situation.

Maryland courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child. Judges consider the child's age, each parent's fitness and living situation, the child's relationship with each parent, and which parent is more likely to support the child's relationship with the other parent. There is no automatic preference for mothers. William Burgess advocates for outcomes that serve your child's long-term wellbeing.

Legal custody is the right to make major decisions about your child's education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. Physical custody determines where the child lives day to day. Courts often award joint legal custody while giving one parent primary physical custody. The specific arrangement depends on the family's circumstances. We help clients understand their options before any agreement is signed.

Maryland uses an income-shares model that considers both parents' gross incomes, the number of children, work-related childcare costs, and health insurance premiums. The result is a guideline amount that courts treat as the presumptively correct figure. Deviations are possible but require justification. An attorney can run the calculation for your specific income figures and help you understand what to expect.

Yes. Maryland courts can issue an interim protective order the same day you file -- even on evenings and weekends through a District Court Commissioner. A final protective order can last up to one year and be extended further. Protective orders can require the abuser to leave the home, stay away from you, and surrender firearms. Call us -- this is urgent.

Maryland judges weigh each spouse's income and earning capacity, the length of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, each party's financial needs, and the time needed for the lower-earning spouse to become self-supporting. Alimony is not automatic -- it must be requested and justified. We help clients pursue fair support awards or contest unreasonable claims in court.