Updated 2007
The Law and Aging Guide is a comprehensive listing of the state-wide resources available to help older persons with law-related issues. Published by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, the Guide includes important contact numbers and addresses for legal assistance providers and other law-related services for the elderly. Many states now have toll-free senior legal hotlines. If you are an older person (or family member or trusted friend of an older person) who needs legal advice or assistance, the first step is to see if your state has a hotline, and, if it does, to call the hotline listed below.
[Note: If you are legal services provider or entity listed below, please email any changes of address or information to the ABA Commission at abaelderly@abanet.org , attn: Law and Aging Guide.]
Maryland
A. Maryland Senior Legal Hotline: (800) 896-4213
Maryland Senior Legal Hotline
Legal Aid Bureau, Inc.
500 Lexington St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 539-5340
B. Legal Assistance Developer
Priscilla Campbell
Legal Services Developer
Maryland Department of Aging
301 W. Preston St, Suite 1007
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-767-1088
C. Long-term Care Ombudsman
Patricia Bayliss
Department of Aging
301 W. Preston St., Rm. 1007
Baltimore, MD 21201-2374
(410) 767-1091; fax (410) 333-7943
D. Legal Services Funded Under the Older Americans Act
If your income falls within certain guidelines, you may be able to get legal help from the Legal Services or Legal Aid program in your area. In some communities, the Older Americans Act program serving older people and the legal aid program are one and the same. For a state-by-state listing of Legal Services programs, go to http://www.lsc.gov
Garrett County Area Agency on Aging
(301) 334-9431 ext 138; (888) 877-8403
Serves Garrett County
Allegany County Area Agency on Aging
(301) 777-5970
Serves Allegany County
Washington County Commission on Aging, Inc.
Area Agency on Aging
140 W. Franklin St., 4th Floor
(301) 790-0275
Serves Washington County
Frederick County Department on Aging
(301) 694-1605
Serves Frederick County
Carroll County Bureau of Aging
(410) 876-3363
Serves Carroll County
Baltimore County Dept. of Aging
(410) 887-2594
Serves Baltimore County
Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education
(410) 396-4932
Serves Baltimore County
Harford County Office on Aging
(410) 638-3025
Serves Hartford County
Montgomery County Area Agency on Aging
(240) 777-3000
Serves Montgomery County
Howard County Office on Aging, Area Agency on Aging
(410) 313-6410
Serves Howard County
Anne Arundel County Area Agency on Aging
(410) 222-4464
Serves Anne Arundel County
Prince George's County Dept. of Family Services
(301) 699-2696
Serves Prince Georges County
Calvert County Office on Aging
(410) 535-4606
Serves Calvert County
Charles County Dept. of Community Service
(301) 934-0109
Serves Charles County
St. Mary's County Office on Aging, Area Agency on Aging
(301) 475-4444
Serves St. Mary's County
Upper Shore Aging, Inc.
(410) 778-6000
Web: www.intercom.net/npo/usaging
Serves Kent, Caroline, Talbot
Queen Anne's County Dept. of Aging
(410) 758-0848
Serves Queen Anne County
Maintenance of the Aged in the Community, Inc.
(410) 742-0505
Web: www.macinc.org
Serves Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester
Cecil County Dept. of Aging<
(410) 996-5228
Serves Cecil County
E. Bar Committees/Sections
Elder Law Section
Maryland State Bar Association
Catherine E. Stavely, Chair
520 West Fayette St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 685-7878; fax (410) 685-1016
Web: http://www.msba.org/default.asp
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Maryland/D.C. Chapter
Morris Klein, CELA
President, NAELA Maryland Chapter
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-4462
G. Legal Assistance Projects Involving Private Attorneys
Many communities are also served by volunteer lawyer (pro bono) programs. These programs are usually sponsored by bar associations. Lawyers in private practice volunteer to help low-income persons free of charge. To find the pro bono program in your state, click on http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/probonodirectory.html
Special Panels for Elderly (Pro Bono/Reduced Fee)
Wills
Sixty Plus Legal Program
Maryland State Bar Association
520 W. Fayette St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 685-7878; (800) 492-1995
The Sixty Plus Program provides reduced fee wills, health care and financial powers of attorney, living wills, intra-family and small estate administration for financially eligible elderly persons. The program receives an average of 20-30 requests for services per month.
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
Law Schools
University of Baltimore School of Law
1415 Maryland Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 837-4468
fax (410) 837-4450
University of Maryland School of Law
515 West Lombard St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 706-3492
fax (410) 706-4045
Legal Clinics
University of Maryland School of Law
Health and Elder Law Clinic
515 W. Lombard St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 706-3838
fax (410) 706-5856
Web: http://www.law.umaryland.edu/maryhealth/experientialhealth.htm
Joan O'Sullivan, Asst. Professor
This clinic handles a broad spectrum of health care law cases, such as public benefits, Medicare and Medicaid, nursing home discharges, and others. Students also participate in a geriatric interdisciplinary assessment team project at the Baltimore Veteran's Administration Medical Center. The clinic accepts clients who cannot afford a private attorney, and it does not represent elder clients exclusively.
University of Baltimore School of Law
Law Clinic (Civil Litigation and Family Law)
40 W. Chase St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 837-5713
I. Attorney General's Office
Douglas F. Gansler., Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
200 St. Paul Pl.
Baltimore, MD 21201-2202
(410) 576-6372; (888) 743-0023
Web: www.oag.state.md.us
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
Client Assistance Program
Maryland State Department of Education
Maryland Rehabilitation Center
2301 Argonne Dr.
Baltimore, MD 21208-1696
(410) 554-9359; (800) 638-6243; fax (410) 554-9362
Web: www.dors.state.md.us
Maryland Disability Law Center
The Walbert Building; Suite 400
1800 N. Charles St., Ste. 202
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 727- 6352; (800) 233-7201; fax (410) 234-2711
Web: www.mdlcbalto.org
K. Dispute Resolution
Maryland Society of Professional Family Mediators
211 Massbury St.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
(301) 947-0500; fax: (301) 947-0501
Email: goldber1@ix.netcom.com
The organization promulgates and enforces stringent standards of training, experience, and ethics for family mediators in Maryland. They promote the public's awareness of family mediation as an alternative to traditional litigation through the provision of an information and referral service. They also provide such assistance, as may be requested, by the courts and other governmental agencies.
L. Other Projects
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Services
16 S. Calvert St., Ste. 700
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 547-6537; (800) 510-0050
St. Ambrose Legal Services
321 E. 25th St.
Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 366-8537
Maryland Pro Bono Program
Montgomery County Bar Foundation
27 W. Jefferson St.
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 424- 7651
Women's Law Center of Maryland
305 W. Chesapeake Ave., Ste. 201
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 321-8761; (800) 845-8550 (Hotline)
Prince George's County Law Foundation
Pro Bono Program
P.O. Box 329
Hyattsville, MD 20701
(301) 864-8353
