MD BAR Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield MD BAR facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. In Maryland, what is the legal standard for a judge to grant a motion for judgment of acquittal? → No reasonable juror could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on the evidence presented
2. In Maryland, which of the following methods is NOT a permissible method of serving process in a civil case? → Service on the defendant’s spouse
3. What is a quitclaim deed? → A deed that transfers whatever interest the grantor may have without warranties of title
4. What is the primary test used by courts to determine whether a state law that restricts commercial speech violates the First Amendment? → Intermediate Scrutiny
5. What are prior inconsistent statements used for? → To impeach a witness's credibility by showing contradictory earlier statements
6. Under the Maryland Rules of Civil Procedure, what is the deadline for a defendant to file an answer to a complaint after being served? → 30 days
7. In Maryland, what standard governs a court's initial custody determination between two fit parents? → The best interests of the child, with no presumption favoring either parent
8. Under Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(a), in which situation is a lawyer REQUIRED (not merely permitted) to withdraw from representation? → Continued representation would result in a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct
9. Under Maryland's accomplice liability doctrine, what is required for a person to be guilty as an accomplice? → Intentional assistance or encouragement of the principal's crime
10. In Maryland, what is the standard waiting period for an absolute divorce based on six-month separation under the 2023 divorce law reform? → Six months of separation, which may occur under the same roof if leading separate lives
11. In a Maryland paternity action, what effect does genetic testing showing at least a 97.3% probability of paternity have? → It creates a rebuttable presumption of paternity
12. Under the Maryland Limited Liability Company Act, what is the default management structure of an LLC? → Member-managed
13. Under Maryland law, which crime is typically classified as a misdemeanor rather than a felony? → Simple (second-degree) assault
14. In Maryland, which statement about corporate dissolution is TRUE? → Dissolution may be voluntary (by shareholder action) or involuntary (by court order)
15. In Maryland, what mental state is required for voluntary manslaughter? → Intentional killing in the heat of passion after adequate provocation
16. Under Maryland law, an agency's interpretation of a statute it administers is: → Given considerable weight, but the court retains ultimate authority over questions of law
17. What is a material breach of contract? → A breach so substantial that it excuses the non-breaching party from further performance
18. In Maryland, what is the Double Jeopardy Clause's primary protection in criminal proceedings? → Protection against being tried twice for the same offense after acquittal or conviction
19. Which of the following crimes requires proof of specific intent under Maryland law? → Burglary
20. Under Maryland's child support guidelines, which income model is used to calculate the basic support obligation? → The income shares model, combining both parents' adjusted actual incomes
21. Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, what constitutes a 'quorum' at a shareholder meeting? → A majority of shares entitled to vote, unless the charter specifies otherwise
22. A Maryland court may impute income to a parent for child support purposes when the parent is what? → Voluntarily impoverished, meaning they freely chose to reduce or forgo income
23. Under Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 3.4, which action by a lawyer during litigation is ethically permissible? → Making a good faith effort to comply with a legally proper discovery request
24. When valuing marital property for a monetary award, Maryland courts generally value assets as of what date? → The date of the divorce trial or when the divorce is granted
25. Under Maryland law, what is the standard for probable cause to arrest without a warrant? → Facts sufficient to warrant a prudent person to believe a crime was committed
26. A child born to a married woman in Maryland is presumed to be the child of whom? → Her spouse, though the presumption is rebuttable
27. In Maryland, a final protective order in a domestic violence case may generally last up to how long? → One year, extendable to two years, with permanent orders possible in limited circumstances
28. In Maryland, a limited liability company (LLC) is primarily governed by: → The Maryland Limited Liability Company Act
29. Under Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5, which of the following factors is NOT relevant to determining whether a fee is reasonable? → The client's personal income and financial circumstances
30. In Maryland, when must a motion for summary judgment be filed in relation to the trial date? → At least 30 days before trial