When to Hire Civil Litigation Attorney Matthew J. Dyer, Esq. & Jonathan L. Haskell, Esq.
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This will include legal context, typical dispute scenarios, and the value of professional representation for issues like contract disputes, real estate conflicts, and more.
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Protecting Your Rights in Southern Maryland:
When to Hire Civil Litigation Attorney Matthew J. Dyer & Jonathan L. Haskell, Esq.
Residents of Southern Maryland – from Anne Arundel to Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties – often face legal challenges that require skilled civil litigation support.
As a Southern Maryland law practice serving these counties, The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC (led by Matthew J. Dyer, Esq.) understands the region’s unique legal landscape.
Below, we explore common and consequential scenarios in which Southern Maryland residents might need a civil litigator – and how an experienced attorney like Matthew J. Dyer and Jonathan L. Haskell, Esq. can protect your interests, resolve conflicts efficiently, and prevent costly mistakes.
Contract Disputes in Southern Maryland
Contracts are the backbone of personal and business relationships in Maryland, but disagreements or breaches can quickly escalate into complex disputes.
In growing communities like Waldorf (Charles County) or the busy commercial hubs of Prince George’s County, contract disputes may arise from business partnership disagreements, broken sales agreements, or services not delivered as promised.
For example, a small business in Upper Marlboro might suffer if a vendor fails to fulfill a supply contract, or a homeowner in Annapolis could face a breach of a home improvement agreement.
Such disputes have serious financial consequences – a breached contract can halt a project or cause significant losses.
Maryland law typically gives a party three years to file a breach of contract lawsuit, so acting quickly is important. A skilled attorneycan step in to interpret the contract, assess damages, and pursue appropriate remedies. Whether it’s negotiating a settlement or filing a lawsuit for compensation, legal guidance is crucial.
With decades of experience, Matthew Dyer & Jonathan Haskell’s team knows how to avoid common pitfalls and resolve contract matters “quickly and efficiently,” because even small errors can carry significant financial costs.
By relying on knowledgeable counsel, Southern Maryland clients can enforce their rights under the contract or defend against unjust claims, all while minimizing disruption to their lives or businesses.
Real Estate Disputes: Property Challenges in Southern Maryland
Real estate is often a person’s most valuable asset, and disputes involving property can be emotionally charged and complex due to the high value at stake.
Southern Maryland’s mix of historic family farms, new housing developments, and waterfront properties presents plenty of scenarios for conflict.
You might find yourself in a conflict over a home sale (for instance, a buyer or seller backing out of a deal in Calvert County), a boundary disagreement with a neighbor, or issues with zoning and land use as communities like Charles and St. Mary’s grow.
In Anne Arundel County – home to Annapolis and many Chesapeake Bay waterfront homes – real estate disputes could even involve pier rights or shoreline boundaries unique to the region.
Common real estate disputes in our area include breach of purchase agreements, title disputes, or landlord-tenant disagreements.
Whatever the issue, Maryland’s property laws have specific provisions that can affect the outcome.
For example, Maryland law provides particular rules on adverse possession, boundary disputes, and property rights, which may differ from other states.
Having an attorney who understands these Maryland-specific nuances is invaluable. Matthew J. Dyer & Jonathan L. Haskell draws on deep knowledge of state and local real estate law to protect your interests – whether that means negotiating an equitable solution or aggressively litigating to secure your property rights.
Their local experience ensures you’re “a step ahead” in navigating Maryland-specific challenges, avoiding costly errors while striving for a fair resolution.
Contract Interpretation: Clarifying Ambiguities Before They Spark Dispute
Not all contract problems involve outright breach – sometimes the issue is what the contract actually means.
Ambiguous or confusing language in a contract can lead to serious disputes if each party believes it says something different.
In the dynamic economies of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties, for example, businesses and individuals regularly enter contracts for employment, services, or sales.
If those agreements contain unclear terms – say, an ambiguous scope of work in a service agreement or conflicting clauses in a lease – a dispute may arise over interpretation.
Rather than letting a misunderstanding spiral into litigation, it’s wise to involve a civil litigator early.
Matthew J. Dyer & Jonathan L. Haskell are adept at dissecting complex legal jargon to uncover a contract’s true meaning.
By reviewing the language, he can advise Southern Maryland clients on their rights and obligations and even re-negotiate terms before problems escalate.
If a dispute has already flared up, an attorney can present evidence of the parties’ intent and relevant Maryland case law to clarify the contract.
This proactive approach often prevents costly litigation or errors in the first place by resolving confusion. And if court intervention is needed, having a lawyer who understands Maryland’s rules of contract interpretation will ensure your position is strongly advocated.
In short, clear guidance on contract terms can save you from protracted battles – a benefit our attorney’s provide to clients regularly.
Specific Enforcement of Contracts (Seeking “Specific Performance”)
In some cases, simply getting money for damages isn’t enough to make things right.
Specific enforcement – known legally as specific performance – is an equitable remedy where the court orders a party to fulfill their exact obligations under a contract, rather than just pay for breaching it.
This is especially important in real estate transactions or other deals involving unique items.
For example, if you agreed to buy a one-of-a-kind historic home in St. Mary’s County or a prime waterfront lot in Calvert County, no amount of money can truly replace that unique property.
If the seller tries to back out at the last minute, you may want the sale completed rather than a payout.
Maryland courts recognize that “each piece of property has its own unique value,” so a buyer or seller may ask the court to force the deal to go through as agreed.
In Southern Maryland’s active real estate market, Matthew Dyer has seen the importance of specific performance first-hand. As your attorney, he can file a lawsuit to compel the other party to honor the contract – for instance, obtaining a court order requiring a reluctant seller to transfer the property per the agreement.
Likewise, if a business sale or large construction contract in Prince George’s County falls apart due to the other side’s refusal to act, specific enforcement can ensure you get the benefit of what was promised, not just compensation.
This remedy is complex and not granted automatically; the court will only award it when it’s fair and feasible to carry out. Our lawyer’s experience is critical here – they know how to demonstrate that your situation warrants specific enforcement and will persuasively argue why monetary damages would be inadequate.
By doing so, he helps Southern Maryland clients secure the exact outcome they bargained for, preserving their rights when it truly matters.
Adverse Possession: Protecting or Acquiring Property Through Long-Term Use
Adverse possession is a unique and often misunderstood area of property law that can significantly affect Southern Maryland landowners.
It allows someone to claim legal ownership of land they’ve been using openly for a long period of time, even if it’s technically owned by someone else.
Maryland has strict requirements for adverse possession: a person must openly, continuously, and exclusively occupy another’s property for at least 20 years to even claim ownership.
They must also meet other criteria (the use must be “hostile” to the true owner’s interest, actual, notorious, and uninterrupted).
In practical terms, imagine a scenario in rural Charles or St. Mary’s County where a neighbor has been farming a strip of your land or using an old pathway across it for decades without permission. Over time, they might assert that they’ve essentially earned the right to that land.
For property owners, adverse possession is a serious concern – you could lose your rights to part of your land if you don’t act within the 20-year window.
For those making the claim, it’s a complex process to prove in court.
Our knowledge of Maryland’s adverse possession law can protect your interests on either side of such a dispute.
If you’re a landowner, he can help contest an adverse possession claim, perhaps by showing the use was not as continuous or exclusive as required, or that permission was given (which defeats a hostile claim).
If you’re someone who has long occupied a piece of property and seek to quiet title in your name, he can guide you through the evidentiary hurdles to establish your claim legitimately.
Because adverse possession cases often involve examining old deeds, tax records, and histories of land use, having a diligent attorney is crucial.
Our attorneys will ensure that no stone is left unturned – protecting rightful owners from unwarranted loss of land and helping long-time possessors secure legal title when appropriate.
In Southern Maryland, where large tracts of land and generational properties are common, this expertise prevents surprises like finding out too late that a portion of your property is at risk.
Boundary Disputes: When Property Lines Become Battlegrounds
In the scenic neighborhoods and farmlands of Southern Maryland, boundary disputes between neighbors are not uncommon.
These conflicts arise when property lines are unclear or contested – perhaps a fence was placed in the wrong spot, a driveway crosses onto a neighbor’s lot, or two surveys don’t match up.
With many properties in areas like Calvert and St. Mary’s dating back decades (or even centuries), original markers may have vanished, and modern surveys can yield surprises.
For instance, one family in Anne Arundel might believe a tree line marks the edge of their yard, while the neighbor’s deed says otherwise.
Before you know it, a simple landscaping project can turn into a heated dispute over a few feet of land.
Resolving a boundary disagreement requires both legal and technical expertise.
Maryland courts will often look at the property deeds, historical records, and professional surveys to determine the true line.
An experienced civil litigator can coordinate the necessary land survey experts and present a compelling case for your property rights.
They understand that these disputes sometimes involve elements of adverse possession or prescriptive easements if the boundary has been treated a certain way for long periods.
Matthew & Jonathan will fight to protect your ownership rights, negotiating with the neighbor to find a practical solution or, if needed, seeking a court order to confirm the proper boundary.
In many cases, a negotiated settlement (such as granting an easement or adjusting the property line with a land swap) can save both parties time and money.
Matthew’s & Jonathan’s calm but firm approach to neighbor disputes helps de-escalate tensions while ensuring your rights are fully asserted.
With their help, Southern Maryland residents can settle boundary issues with minimal acrimony – and go back to being good neighbors once the lines are clearly drawn.
Construction Disputes: Navigating Building Conflicts and Defects
Southern Maryland has experienced steady development – from new housing subdivisions in Charles County to home renovations along the Chesapeake Bay.
With construction booms, unfortunately, come construction disputes. Building projects involve many moving parts (contracts, contractors, subcontractors, materials, deadlines), and when something goes wrong, the financial stakes are high. Common construction-related conflicts in Maryland include project delays, payment disputes, and allegations of defective workmanship.
For example, a family in Prince George’s County might hire a contractor to build an addition on their house – if the work is subpar or left unfinished, or if the contractor isn’t paid on time, either party could seek legal recourse.
Likewise, a developer in Calvert County could clash with a builder over cost overruns or change orders that weren’t clearly agreed upon.
When facing a construction dispute, having a knowledgeable attorney is essential to protect your financial interests and keep the project from derailing completely.
Our lawyers have extensive experience with construction law issues, from reviewing contract terms to litigating complex construction defect cases.
They can help enforce the terms of construction contracts – ensuring, for instance, that a contractor meets the agreed standards and timeline, or that a property owner pays for work properly completed.
In Maryland, construction contracts and lien laws are quite specific: contractors might file a mechanic’s lien against a property for unpaid work, which requires careful legal steps to contest or satisfy.
Our attorneys can deftly handle these lien claims, making sure no improper lien clouds your property title.
Moreover, if you discover defects in construction, Matthew can assemble the evidence (inspections, expert opinions) to hold the responsible party accountable, whether through demand for repairs or a lawsuit for damages.
Their goal is to resolve disputes efficiently – often by negotiating remedies or using mediation – but he is fully prepared to take the matter to court if that’s what it takes.
By engaging a skilled litigator early, Southern Maryland residents and businesses can avoid project standstills, recover losses for breach of contract, and ensure safe, quality construction that meets what was promised.
Easement and Right-of-Way Disputes: Ensuring Access and Property Use Rights
The picturesque rural roads and waterfront plots in Southern Maryland often come with a tangle of easements and right-of-way agreements.
An easement is a legal right for someone other than the owner to use a portion of property for a specific purpose – common examples include a shared driveway or private road, utility lines running underground, or a path to reach a neighbor’s land or the water.
While easements are meant to clarify usage rights, they can also spur disputes.
Perhaps a property owner in St. Mary’s County blocks a lane that another family has used for years to access the main road, or a new owner in Anne Arundel might discover an old recorded easement allowing neighbors to cross their yard to reach a dock.
These situations can lead to confusion and conflict: one side feels their property is being intruded upon, while the other insists they have established rights to do so.
Right-of-way disputes are similarly common – often essentially the same concept involving travel across someone’s land.
In Maryland, if someone has been using part of your land openly and continuously as a right-of-way for 20 years or more, they might even claim a “prescriptive easement” (a permanent legal right to continue that use).
Because of these long-term implications, it’s crucial to address easement issues promptly and correctly.
They can assist by reviewing deeds and land records to determine what easements officially exist, if any, and explaining what rights each party actually has.
Many easement disputes boil down to interpretation: maybe the easement’s language is vague about where exactly the boundary lies or how it can be used, leading to one party overusing or misusing the access beyond what was intended.
Matthew and Jonathan will clarify these terms and negotiate adjustments if needed – for instance, setting rules on times of use, maintenance responsibilities, or relocating an access point by agreement.
If a friendly resolution isn’t possible, Matthew J. Dyer, Esq. and Jonathan L. Haskell, Esq. is prepared to litigate to protect your rights, whether you’re the dominant estate (the one benefiting from an easement) or the servient estate (the one granting the easement).
They might file for a court injunction to stop a neighbor from illegally blocking your right-of-way, or defend you against a claim of a prescriptive easement by proving the use was not as continuous or without permission as claimed. Because easement disputes often involve close neighbors and can affect property value and peace of mind, Matthew and Jonathan approaches them with a balance of firm advocacy and practical problem-solving.
The goal is to ensure you maintain the access or privacy rights you’re entitled to, and that any shared-use arrangements are honored fairly.
In a region where private roads and shared waterfront paths are part of life, having an attorney who understands easements means your property remains both accessible and protected.
Landlord–Tenant Disputes: Safeguarding Homes and Investments
With communities like Prince George’s County (home to a large rental market around the D.C. metro area) and college towns like Bowie or areas near military bases (e.g. Lexington Park in St. Mary’s), Southern Maryland sees its share of landlord–tenant disputes.
These disputes can be particularly contentious, as they involve one party’s home and another’s investment.
Common issues include non-payment of rent, eviction proceedings, security deposit disagreements, and alleged lease violations.
For instance, a landlord in Charles County might struggle with a tenant who hasn’t paid rent for months, or a tenant in Anne Arundel might find their landlord withholding a security deposit unfairly or failing to make crucial repairs.
Emotions run high in such cases – a tenant’s shelter is at stake, and a landlord’s property rights and income are on the line.
Maryland has detailed laws to protect both tenants and landlords, but navigating them can be complex.
For example, Maryland law strictly regulates how security deposits must be handled (including deadlines for return and interest), and the eviction process requires proper notice and court approval – self-help evictions (like changing locks) are illegal.
Additionally, some counties or cities may have their own housing codes or rental ordinances.
If you’re a landlord, failing to follow the legal process can result in delays or even counterclaims; if you’re a tenant, not understanding your rights could mean enduring substandard conditions or losing money unjustly.
This is where the lawyer guidance proves invaluable.
They represent landlords and tenants, offering advice and courtroom representation to ensure rights are respected under the law.
For landlords, Matthew and Jonathan can help streamline the eviction process – from drafting a proper eviction notice, to filing the necessary court action, and presenting evidence of lease breaches to legally regain possession of the property.
They also assists in collecting unpaid rent or damages, pursuing judgments against tenants who owe, all while ensuring compliance with Maryland’s procedures (so that landlords avoid missteps that could lead to claims of wrongful eviction).
For tenants, Matthew provides a voice against unfair treatment – they can defend against evictions where the landlord didn’t follow the rules, fight for the return of a wrongfully withheld security deposit, or push landlords to make required repairs by enforcing the warranty of habitability.
In Prince George’s County, for example, which handles a high volume of landlord-tenant cases, having a lawyer like Matthew who knows the local court system can significantly affect the outcome of a dispute.
Ultimately, whether you’re renting out a townhouse in Upper Marlboro or leasing an apartment in Annapolis, resolving landlord-tenant issues promptly and properly is key.
Our lawyers work to resolve conflicts efficiently – often through negotiation or mediation, which can save both sides time and money – but he is always prepared to assert his client’s rights in court if needed.
By engaging an attorney, Southern Maryland landlords can keep their rental business running smoothly and tenants can secure safe, livable housing without enduring legal abuses.
It’s about preserving what’s fair: your home, your income, and your peace of mind.
Why Choose Matthew J. Dyer, Esq. for Southern Maryland Civil Litigation?
Legal disputes – whether over a contract, a piece of property, or a lease – can be daunting and high-stakes. Southern Maryland residents don’t have to face these challenges alone. Matthew J. Dyer, Esq. is not only highly experienced in civil litigation, but also deeply familiar with the specific laws and trends in our region. A proud member of the Maryland State Bar and local bar associations, Matthew has been practicing in Maryland since 2005. His specialized expertise in property disputes, contract disputes, and civil litigation matters means he has likely handled cases very similar to yours. Importantly, he understands that Maryland’s laws have unique twists – whether it’s the 20-year rule for adverse possession or county-specific landlord regulations – and he stays ahead of these hurdles so you don’t get caught off guard.
When you hire Matthew J. Dyer, you get an attorney who will prioritize your best interests at every step. He knows how to negotiate effectively to settle disputes out of court when it’s advantageous, saving you time, stress, and expense. But if a fair agreement cannot be reached, he will not hesitate to take your case to court and fight tenaciously on your behalf. The firm’s philosophy is client-centered and proactive – identifying potential issues early and tackling them head-on to avoid common pitfalls. For Southern Maryland clients, this means faster resolutions and fewer surprises in litigation.
In summary, residents of Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties have a strong ally in Matthew J. Dyer when facing civil legal issues. Contract disputes, real estate conflicts, contract interpretation questions, specific performance actions, adverse possession claims, boundary fights, construction quarrels, easement issues, and landlord-tenant battles – these can all have life-changing consequences if handled poorly. With a skilled local attorney by your side, you can approach these disputes with confidence that your rights will be protected and your goals pursued vigorously. Don’t let legal conflicts jeopardize your property, business, or peace of mind. Instead, consult Matthew J. Dyer, Esq., of The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC, to get knowledgeable, region-specific legal guidance. With his help, Southern Maryland residents can resolve conflicts efficiently and secure the best possible outcome – while avoiding costly mistakes that can arise without proper legal counsel.
Whether you need a stern advocate in the courtroom or a savvy negotiator at the settlement table, Matthew J. Dyer is ready to serve as your civil litigation attorney in Southern Maryland. Protect your rights, safeguard your assets, and let an experienced professional guide you through Maryland’s legal terrain.
Reach out today for a consultation and take the first step toward resolving your legal challenges with confidence.
Contact Matthew J. Dyer, Esq. and Jonathan L. Haskell, Esq., today.
