Souza Roy & Ridgell

09/01/2026

Maryland employers should begin preparing now for the State’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance program.

Beginning January 1, 2027, covered employers will be required to collect FAMLI contributions through payroll and submit quarterly wage and hour reports. Benefits are scheduled to become available to eligible employees in January 2028.

Employers should take steps now to:
• Register for a Maryland FAMLI employer account
• Decide whether to participate in the State Plan or pursue a private plan
• Coordinate with payroll providers regarding contributions and reporting
• Review existing leave policies and employee-notice procedures

Employers considering a private plan face an earlier deadline. To avoid remitting contributions to the State during the 2027 seeding period, an authorized officer must submit a Declaration of Intent between September 1 and November 15, 2026.

Filing the Declaration of Intent does not replace the separate private-plan application, which will be due October 1, 2027.

Early planning can help employers evaluate their options and avoid last-minute compliance issues.

For more guidance follow the link below-
Paidleave.maryland.gov/employers

08/25/2026

Wishing all the kids out there a great first day of school! You got this!

08/20/2026

Maryland Employers: Important FAMLI Deadline

Considering a private plan under Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program? Here are the key dates and requirements:

• Sept. 1–Nov. 15, 2026: File your Declaration of Intent (DOI)
• Register with FAMLI before submitting your DOI
• Consult an insurance professional as part of the process
• Private plans must provide benefits equal to or greater than the State Plan
• Employers must meet additional contribution and approval requirements

Planning to use a private FAMLI plan? Start preparing now.

Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program is rapidly approaching its first major milestones, and employers considering an equivalent private insurance plan (EPIP) will soon need to file a declaration of intent (DOI) in order to be excused from making contributions to the state ...

08/18/2026

Is Your College-Bound Child Legally Prepared?

When your child turns 18, your legal ability to make medical, financial, and educational decisions for them changes—even if you're still providing their support.

Before they head off to college, consider having these important documents in place:
• Healthcare Power of Attorney
• HIPAA Authorization
• Durable Financial Power of Attorney
• FERPA Authorization

Between shopping for essentials and preparing for move-in day, it's easy to overlook an important reality: once a student turns 18, you no longer have the legal authority to make healthcare or financial decisions on their behalf or access certain records without their permission. Taking a few simple...

08/11/2026

It’s Shop Maryland Tax Free Week! Don’t forget to take advantage of some savings while checking off your back to school list!

08/04/2026

Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting a business. Whether an LLC, corporation, or partnership is the best fit depends on your goals, liability concerns, tax considerations, and plans for future growth.

At Souza Roy & Ridgell, we help entrepreneurs and business owners evaluate their options, form the right entity, prepare the necessary organizational documents, and build a strong legal foundation from day one.

Learn more about our Business & Corporate practice:
https://souzalaw.com/practice-areas/business-corporate/

07/28/2026

Spotlight Practice Area Continued-

Deadlines drive business decisions.

Whether you're negotiating with vendors, buying or selling a business, securing financing, or working through a commercial transaction, contractual deadlines can significantly impact your rights, leverage, and the success of the deal. Understanding those deadlines—and planning for them—can help avoid costly surprises and keep your transaction moving forward.

Our recent article, "The Power of Deadlines," explores why timing is just as important as the terms of the agreement.

Read the full article: https://souzalaw.com/2025/10/22/the-power-of-deadlines/

07/23/2026

Focused on your business and committed to your success.

Whether you’re launching, growing, buying, selling or planning for the future, Souza Roy Ridgell is your trusted legal partner.

07/21/2026

Corporate Law Spotlight

🤝 Ending a business partnership doesn't have to end in conflict.
This article highlights why every business partnership should have a well-defined exit strategy—even if everyone expects the relationship to last. From buyout provisions and ownership rights to communication and transition planning, having the right legal framework in place can help protect the business, preserve relationships, and minimize costly disputes.

Why it matters:
Strong corporate governance isn't just about starting a business—it's about planning for every stage of its lifecycle. Well-drafted shareholder agreements, operating agreements, and partnership documents provide clarity when circumstances change, helping business owners navigate transitions with confidence while protecting the company's future.

📖 Read the full article: The Exit Strategy: How to End Business Partnerships Gracefully

When you start a business with someone, the last thing likely on your mind is how it might end.

07/14/2026

Quinn Roy, a Named Principal of the firm, joined Souza Roy in 2008. Her practice areas include Banking, Corporate, Commercial Leasing, Employment Law, Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Franchise, Mergers & Acquisitions, Succession Planning, Real Estate, Title, Trademark and Intellectual Property.

To learn more about Quinn and her areas of practice visit-
https://souzalaw.com/professionals/quinn-f-roy/