This new NCLC Digital Library article explains how to respond to IRS tax debt. Always file a return even without paying taxes owed, almost never use a credit card, and press various exemptions against an IRS levy. Options are detailed to pay in installments, eliminate collections, and even reduce the debt owed. Special rights for spouses and debtors in bankruptcy are discussed, and sources of help are listed.
NCLC, the National Consumer Law Center, titles are available in the law library on all public computers. Titles on debt include:
New Maryland laws took effect on October 1, 2025! To find out about the laws resulting from the 2025 session, check out this list of new laws on the General Assembly of Maryland website. In addition, by using the link for specific legislation, you can view documents at the “Witness List” link for each bill that argue for and against that legislation. To view the recorded testimony, look for the video icon. Another source for a full listing of new laws effective October 1, 2025, is the List of Laws effective on October 1, 2025, published by the Department of Legislative Services (DLS).
Jack Paltell, a Lawyer in the Library volunteer, received the Anne Arundel Bar Association President’s Pro Bono Award from AABA president, Laura Burnett, at the AABA Annual Meeting on June 9, 2025. Jack has been a dedicated volunteer for the Lawyer in the Library program since its inception. He participated in the pilot program during Law Week in 2009 and has faithfully served as the Lawyer in the Library on the first Wednesday of every month since January 2010.
Jack’s unwavering dedication over more than a decade has been instrumental in sustaining the Lawyer in the Library program. Clients who have sought help through the program consistently express their appreciation for Jack’s compassion, patience, and good humor. His ability to connect with individuals in need and provide clear, thoughtful guidance has made a meaningful difference in the lives of many Anne Arundel County residents.
The Ask a Lawyer in the Library program is a civil, non-family law, brief legal advice program held every Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The program is sponsored by the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. hosted by the Anne Arundel County Public Library and coordinated by the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library. There is online registration for 20-minute sessions with a volunteer attorney. All sessions are held remotely via Zoom videoconferencing or phone. More information can be found here.
Ten attorneys assisted 128 clients in FY2025 providing a total of 70 pro bono hours. Steve Migdal and Jack Paltell provided the most hours last year – 26 hours for Steve and 16 hours for Jack.
Attorneys assisted with a wide range of legal issues including wills, probate, power of attorney, employment, housing, foreclosure, debt neighbor disputes and administrative appeals.
The following attorneys volunteered as Lawyers in the Library last year:
Cliff O’Connor
Jack Paltell
Jennifer Jones
Jennifer Henriquez
Jerry (Jay) Williams
John Lynch
Michael Von Sas
Patrice Clarke
Saul McCormick
Steve Migdal
The law library is very appreciative of the time they have given to this program.
Anne Arundel County attorneys are encouraged to volunteer for the Lawyer in the Library program by contacting the law library at 410-222-1387 or AALawLibrarian@mdcourts.gov.
Other pro bono opportunities include the following:
Anne Arundel Community College Legal Self-Help Clinic Held weekly on Monday from 5-7 p.m. and on Tuesday 2-4 p.m. (Closes when AACC is not in session – reopens 8/15/2025.) Careers Center, Room 173, Anne Arundel Community College, 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012 . Contact Lonni Kyhos Summers @ 410-777-2936 or LKSummers@aacc.edu
Family Law Skills and Study Group – Take a pro bono family law case and meet with the group to learn more and exchange ideas with experienced family law attorney mentors. Contact: Tasnima Apol at tapol@apollaw.com
YWCA Legal Services: Intimate partner protective order petition cases in Anne Arundel County, serving in both the District and Circuit Courts - volunteer in the legal department or as an advocate. Contact: 410-626-7800.
MVLS – Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Serviceis Anne Arundel County’s Pro Bono Referral Service: https://mvlslaw.org/volunteer/# Volunteers are supported with: Malpractice insurance, mentors, free training, use of MVLS offices to meet with clients, and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.
New Maryland laws take effect on October 1, 2024! To find out about the laws resulting from the 2024 session, check out this list of new laws on the General Assembly of Maryland website. In addition, by visiting the link for specific legislation, you can view documents at the “Witness List” link for each bill that argue for and against that legislation. To view the recorded testimony, look for the video icon. Another source for a full listing of new laws effective October 1, 2024, is the List of Laws effective on October 1, 2024, published by the Department of Legislative Services (DLS).
The 90 Day Report – A Review of the 2024 Session published by the Department of Legislative Services of the General Assembly of Maryland provides a great overview and discussion of laws passed during the 2024 legislative session.
A recent email from NCLC cites to their article entitled, Hundreds of Free Practice Aids on the NCLC Digital Library, stating that [the] “NCLC Digital Library contains a massive amount of free consumer law practice aids, in addition to the 21 NCLC treatises requiring a subscription. This article describes twelve available types of free resources, including free access to Surviving Debt, the Federal Practice Manual for Legal Aid Attorneys, a student loan toolkit, eleven consumer law practice checklists, and 21 chapters and over 70 appendices from NCLC treatises.”
See more about these resources here. The law library’s subscription includes the print and online access to the full NCLC library.
New editions are on the shelf in the Anne Arundel County Public law Library.
From the MSBA (Maryland State Bar Association) The following titles are also available on Lexis here in the law library:
KFM1783.M3 2024
This new edition of the Maryland Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions includes new instructions and revisions to the current instructions.
KFM1344.1 .W68 2024
“The book contains dozens of forms, from sample clauses that provide the practitioner with options to consider when drafting discrete provisions (such as those necessary to define and limit classes of beneficiaries or name guardians and trustees), to full renditions of different types of wills. “
Published by NBI (National Business Institute):
KFM1738.M3 2024
“Hearing what acting judges prefer to see in their courtrooms to make the gears of justice move more smoothly is invaluable to every attorney: veteran and novice alike.”
KFM1344.1.G69 2024
This publication includes forms for wills and trusts.
From NCLC (National Consumer Law Center). All of the NCCL titles are also available online in the law library in the NCLC Digital Library.
SELF HELP NCLC KF695.P59 2024
SELF HELP NCLC KF8896.R67 2024
SELF HELP NCLC KF2094.A33 2024
Published by the Office of the Maryland Attorney General:
KFM1662.6.A25 C8 2023
This publication is also available on the website of the Maryland Attorney General here.
Maryland Judiciary ‘s Case Search is an online service that allows users to view what has been filed in Maryland courts. Case Search does not provide access to the actual documents which can only be accessed in a courthouse using a public MDEC kiosk. A new interface for Case Search was introduced on February 5, 2024. Please see the Press Release of January 17, 2024
The interface is now more straight forward and easier to read. The “new” Case Search still requires that users read and agree with the disclaimer.
After agreeing, the first option is to search by case number:
There is also an option to search by party name:
To search using other criteria such a county, court, party type or case type there is an Advanced Search option.
Access Case Search here. If you need assistance with searching, please contact the law library.
Did you know that the law library has moved not once but twice in the last three years? The law library is now in a great new space right inside the front door of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court – right after security. (Room 301 – the old jury office.)
From the old
to the new …
The law library moved to the AABA Lawyers’ Lounge in September 2020. (The law library space was needed for the social distancing of jurors.) This was a much smaller space with only four workspaces and computers. It was also difficult to find. Still, with COVID limiting access to the courthouse and then having such a small space, the law library could offer access to the same services as before:
Research assistance
Online legal research databases including Lexis and Westlaw
Legal research training and instruction
Online query formulation
Research co-browsing
Document delivery
Technology and MDEC assistance
Pro bono coordination
Circulation of legal texts and treatises
The law library had converted much of the United States resources to a digital format with a plan to gradually acclimate library users to more reliance on online. With COVID, the plan was accelerated. Luckily, Lexis and Westlaw already provided access to just about all the material once held in print. Use of online resources does make it easy to email information and even provide co-browsing research sessions with results sent via email.
The Maryland collection is still available in print and superseded codes have also been retained for historic research. Use the catalog to see what is in the collection whether print or digital: https://a94031.eos-intl.net/A94031/OPAC/
The law library now provides a variety of workspaces, 13 computers with access to legal research databases and Microsoft office, a Maryland print collection and a small conference room equipped with videoconferencing capability. It is a great space to visit for legal research, client consults, document preparation and copies. But if you are not in the courthouse, just call (410-222-1387) or email (AALawLibrarian@mdcourts.gov) and take advantage of library services wherever you are.
The Law Library and the Family Court Help Center in the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court will be closed on January 15, 2024, in observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. An article describing how this holiday came to be from the National Museum of African American History & Culture and be found here.
The Law Library will reopen on January 16, 2024. A list of Court Holidays is available on the Circuit Court’s website at http://www.circuitcourt.org/court-holidays. Except on Court Holidays, the Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
AACPLL Blog: Law Library News 