Terms of Use
Acceptance of Terms
Last Updated: October 22, 2026
These Terms of Use govern your access to and use of thelegalcounsel.com, the official website of The Burton Firm, LLC. They explain the purpose of our website, the limits of the legal information provided and your responsibilities when using our online services.
By accessing or using this website, you agree to these Terms of Use to the extent permitted by applicable law. If you do not agree with these terms, please discontinue using the website.
These terms apply to website use. They do not replace a legal services agreement or limit professional duties owed to clients and prospective clients under applicable law.
Website Information Is Not Legal Advice
The information published on this website is intended for general educational and informational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion concerning your individual circumstances.
Our website may discuss Maryland and Virginia laws involving divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, property division, protective orders, guardianships, adoptions and other legal matters.
However, legal rights and obligations depend on the specific facts of each situation. A legal rule that applies to one family or court proceeding may not apply to another.
Information published on this website should not replace advice from an attorney who has reviewed your circumstances. Before making a legal decision, consider speaking with a qualified attorney who can evaluate the applicable law and relevant facts.
No Attorney-Client Relationship
Visiting this website, reading its content or contacting The Burton Firm through an online form does not, by itself, establish an attorney-client relationship.
Submitting an inquiry, sending an email or receiving an automated response does not mean our firm has agreed to represent you. An attorney-client relationship is established when The Burton Firm expressly agrees to provide representation under an appropriate engagement arrangement.
Before accepting a legal matter, our office may need to review the nature of your request, determine whether a conflict of interest exists and confirm that representation is appropriate.
Until our firm confirms representation, you should not assume that an attorney is monitoring your case, reviewing court notices or taking action on your behalf.
Nothing in these Terms of Use eliminates or limits any confidentiality duties or other professional obligations that may apply to prospective clients under the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct, the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct or other applicable rules.
Contact Forms and Electronic Communications
Our website provides ways to contact The Burton Firm, request information and inquire about legal services. These options may include contact forms, email links, telephone numbers and consultation requests.
When submitting information through our website, please provide accurate contact details and a brief description of your inquiry.
We recommend limiting an initial message to the information needed for our office to understand the nature of your request. Do not include Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, confidential legal documents or other highly sensitive information unless our office has instructed you to use an approved communication method.
Electronic communications may be delayed, misdirected or accessed by unauthorized individuals. Standard website forms and ordinary email may not provide the security needed for every type of confidential legal communication.
Although we make reasonable efforts to review incoming inquiries, we cannot guarantee that every message will be received or answered immediately.
Submitting a contact form does not confirm an appointment or establish representation. Our office must separately confirm any consultation or engagement.
Legal Deadlines and Urgent Matters
Legal proceedings often involve strict filing deadlines, hearing dates and other time-sensitive requirements. Missing a deadline may affect your rights or available legal options.
Do not rely on website forms, email or text messages to communicate an urgent legal deadline or emergency.
Our website is not a court filing system. Sending information through this website does not constitute filing a document with a court, responding to a legal notice or satisfying a legal deadline.
If you have an urgent legal concern, contact our office directly at (301) 901-5549. For an immediate threat to personal safety, contact emergency services.
Unless The Burton Firm has expressly agreed to represent you, responsibility for meeting legal deadlines remains with you or your current legal representative.
Geographic Scope of Legal Services
The Burton Firm provides information about legal services involving Maryland and Virginia law. Our website addresses family law matters affecting individuals and families throughout Maryland, including Prince George’s County, Charles County, Calvert County, Montgomery County and Anne Arundel County.
Our website also provides information about family law services for individuals in Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County and surrounding communities.
Attorney licensing, court admission requirements and other professional rules determine where legal services may be provided.
Information on this website does not constitute an offer to provide legal representation in a jurisdiction where doing so would violate applicable law or professional requirements.
The availability of legal services depends on the location, nature and circumstances of the matter involved.
Accuracy and Updates to Website Information
We make reasonable efforts to publish useful information about our legal services and the subjects discussed on our website.
However, laws, court procedures, filing requirements and legal interpretations can change. Website content may not reflect the most recent amendments, court decisions or procedural developments.
Information may also contain errors, omissions or outdated references. We do not guarantee that every page will remain complete, accurate or current at all times.
The Burton Firm may revise, remove or update website content without providing advance notice.
Readers should confirm current legal requirements through appropriate official sources or qualified legal counsel before relying on information for a specific legal matter.
Attorney Information and Professional Qualifications
Our website may include information about the professional background, experience, education and qualifications of attorneys associated with The Burton Firm.
This information is provided to help visitors learn about our practice and the legal services we offer.
Descriptions of experience, professional appointments or prior legal work should not be interpreted as guarantees of future results. Each legal matter involves facts, evidence, applicable law and circumstances that may affect its outcome.
Information about our firm and lead attorney is available on our Our Firm page.
Testimonials and Case Results
Our website may display client testimonials, reviews or descriptions of legal matters handled by The Burton Firm.
These materials reflect individual experiences or circumstances. They do not guarantee that another person will receive the same result or have a similar experience.
Legal outcomes depend on many factors, including the facts of the case, available evidence, applicable law, judicial decisions and the actions of other parties.
Testimonials and descriptions of past matters should not be used as a substitute for an individual legal evaluation.
Acceptable Use of Our Website
Visitors may use this website for lawful purposes, including reviewing information about our legal services and contacting our office.
When using the website, you agree not to engage in activities that could interfere with its operation, compromise security or violate the rights of others.
Prohibited activities include:
- Submitting false, fraudulent or misleading information
- Attempting unauthorized access to website systems or accounts
- Uploading or transmitting malicious software or harmful code
- Using automated tools to overload or disrupt website services
- Interfering with contact forms or other website functions
- Impersonating another individual or organization
- Using the website to send spam, threats or unlawful communications
- Collecting personal information from the website through unauthorized means
- Copying or distributing protected website content in violation of applicable law
We may restrict access to website features when reasonably necessary to address security threats, misuse or unlawful activity.
These restrictions do not limit rights that visitors may have under applicable law.
Copyright and Permitted Use of Website Content
Unless otherwise indicated, written materials, photographs, graphics, logos and other original content displayed on this website belong to The Burton Firm or are used with permission from their respective owners.
Applicable copyright, trademark and intellectual property laws may protect these materials.
You may view, download or print website content for your personal, noncommercial informational use, provided that you do not misrepresent its source or remove applicable ownership notices.
Any broader reproduction, republication or commercial distribution of protected materials may require permission from the rights holder, except where permitted by law.
These terms do not restrict lawful quotation, fair use or other rights granted under applicable intellectual property laws.
Third-Party Links and External Websites
Our website may contain links to outside websites, government agencies, court resources, payment processors or other third-party services.
These links may help visitors locate legal information, access related resources or complete authorized transactions.
Including a link does not necessarily mean The Burton Firm endorses the outside organization, its services or the accuracy of its information.
Third-party websites maintain their own terms, privacy policies and operating practices. We do not control their content, security, availability or information collection methods.
Before using an outside service or providing personal information, review the applicable terms and privacy practices of that provider.
Online Payments and Billing
Our website provides access to electronic payment options for legal fees, invoices and client account deposits. These include payment links for past due bills and advance deposits.
Online payments are processed through LawPay, a third-party payment service. LawPay operates under its own payment terms, security procedures and privacy policies.
Payment information submitted through LawPay is subject to that provider’s systems and applicable transaction requirements.
Making a payment through the website does not, by itself, establish an attorney-client relationship or expand the scope of an existing representation agreement.
For existing clients, the terms of the applicable engagement agreement and governing professional rules determine legal fees, billing arrangements and the handling of client funds.
If you have a billing question or believe a payment was processed incorrectly, contact our office at (301) 901-5549.
Privacy and Personal Information
When you use our website or communicate with our office, certain personal information may be collected.
This information can include your name, contact details, information submitted through website forms and technical data associated with website visits.
Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect and share personal information. It also describes applicable privacy choices and how to submit requests concerning your information.
We encourage visitors to review that policy before submitting personal or confidential information through our website.
Cookies and Website Tracking
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to support functionality, maintain security, measure website activity and evaluate advertising performance.
Some cookies are necessary for basic website operations. Others may support analytics, visitor preferences or optional services.
You can manage optional cookies at any time by selecting “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” in our website footer. This opens our cookie preferences panel, where you can adjust the available settings.
For details about cookie categories, advertising technologies and your choices, review our Cookie Policy.
Most browsers also provide settings for deleting or restricting cookies. Disabling certain cookies may affect website features or prevent some functions from operating as intended.
Telephone and Text Message Communications
The Burton Firm may communicate with individuals through telephone calls, email or text messaging when appropriate and authorized.
If you consent to receive SMS communications, those messages may include consultation responses, appointment reminders, scheduling updates and administrative information.
Text messaging consent is voluntary and is not required to obtain legal services. Submitting a contact form or providing a telephone number does not, by itself, constitute consent to receive text messages.
Message frequency varies based on your communication needs. Message and data rates may apply according to your wireless carrier and service plan.
You may opt out of an authorized SMS program by replying STOP to a message. For assistance, reply HELP or contact our office directly.
Consent to receive text messages does not establish an attorney-client relationship or authorize the disclosure of confidential legal information through unsecured messaging.
Our SMS Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy explain how mobile phone numbers and SMS consent records are handled.
Website Accessibility
The Burton Firm aims to make its website accessible to individuals with disabilities, including visitors who use assistive technologies.
We recognize that some website features or third-party content may present accessibility barriers.
If you experience difficulty accessing information or using a website feature, you may contact our office to request assistance or an alternative communication method.
Please review our Accessibility Notice for information about reporting accessibility problems and requesting assistance.
Website Availability and Security
We make reasonable efforts to maintain website functionality and address technical issues when they arise.
However, website availability may be affected by maintenance, hosting interruptions, network failures, software problems or circumstances outside our control.
We cannot guarantee uninterrupted access to the website or that every feature will operate without errors.
Although security measures may be used to protect website systems, no internet transmission or electronic service can be guaranteed to remain free from security risks.
Visitors are responsible for maintaining reasonable security precautions when accessing the website, including protecting their devices and avoiding the transmission of unnecessary sensitive information.
Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability
Website content is provided for general informational purposes. To the extent permitted by applicable law, The Burton Firm makes no warranty that the website will always be available, error-free or suitable for a visitor’s particular legal needs.
We are not responsible for decisions made solely in reliance on general website content without consideration of the facts and legal requirements of an individual matter, except where applicable law provides otherwise.
To the extent permitted by law, The Burton Firm is not liable for losses arising solely from temporary website interruptions, technical errors or unauthorized misuse of website services.
Nothing in these Terms of Use excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. These provisions do not waive professional duties, eliminate protections owed to clients or prospective clients or limit rights arising from attorney misconduct or professional negligence.
If you have an existing attorney-client relationship with The Burton Firm, the applicable engagement agreement and governing law determine the rights and responsibilities associated with that representation.
Maryland Law and Website Disputes
These Terms of Use are intended to be interpreted under Maryland law to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Disputes arising specifically from website access or use may be brought before a court with proper jurisdiction in Maryland, subject to any mandatory legal requirements or rights that apply.
This provision does not determine the law governing an underlying divorce, child custody, child support, property division or other legal matter.
It also does not replace applicable rules governing attorney-client relationships, professional responsibility, legal fees or disputes arising from legal representation.
Changes to These Terms of Use
The Burton Firm may update these Terms of Use to reflect changes in website features, operational practices or applicable legal requirements.
When changes are made, the revised terms will be published on this page with an updated revision date.
Continued use of the website after revised terms become effective may constitute acceptance of those terms to the extent permitted by law.
Changes to these website terms do not automatically modify an existing legal services agreement or remove rights protected by applicable law.
Contact The Burton Firm
If you have questions about these Terms of Use, website communications or information published on our website, please contact The Burton Firm directly.
The Burton Firm, LLC
14626 Main Street, Suite 202
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: (301) 901-5549
Fax: (888) 778-0475
Website: thelegalcounsel.com
Mailing Address:
The Burton Firm, LLC
P.O. Box 27
Upper Marlboro, MD 20773
Please send postal correspondence to our mailing address above.
For general inquiries, visit our Contact Us page. You may also review our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy and Accessibility Notice for information about our website practices.