Your privacy is important to us. This notice explains our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is used at our site.

1.  Introduction

Turnbull, Nicholson & Sanders, P.A. (“we”, “us”, “our”, or “TNS Family Law”) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with the utmost care and confidentiality. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you engage our legal services or interact with our website and communications.

As a family law practice, we recognize that the matters you entrust to us are among the most personal and sensitive aspects of your life. We are committed to compliance with all applicable privacy legislation. By using our services or providing us with your information, you acknowledge the practices described in this Policy.

2.  Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information:

• 2.1  Information You Provide Directly
  • Full name, date of birth, and contact details (address, phone number, email address)
  • Identity documents such as passport or driver’s license
  • Financial information including income, assets, liabilities, and retirement account details
  • Information about family members, dependents, and third parties relevant to your matter
  • Details of relationships, domestic circumstances, and any history of family violence
  • Communications you send us, including emails, letters, and file notes from consultations
• 2.2  Information Collected Automatically
  • IP address, browser type, and device information when you visit our website
  • Pages viewed, time spent, and referral source via analytics cookies
  • Contact form submissions and online inquiry data
• 2.3  Information from Third Parties
  • Court documents, subpoenas, and orders provided by judicial bodies
  • Reports from family consultants, psychologists, appraisers, and other experts
  • Information from opposing parties, their legal representatives, or relevant government agencies
  • Publicly available records such as property records and business entity searches

3.  How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information only to the extent necessary for the following purposes:

• Providing legal advice and representation in family law matters, including property settlements, parenting arrangements, divorce, domestic violence applications, and related proceedings
• Communicating with you about your matter, including updates, advice, and billing
• Complying with our legal obligations, including court orders, professional regulations, and statutory reporting duties
• Conducting conflict-of-interest checks prior to engaging our services
• Managing our business operations, including accounting, file management, and risk management
• Improving our website, services, and client experience
• Sending service-related communications and, with your consent, newsletters or updates about relevant legal changes

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal information on the following grounds:

• Performance of a contract — to provide the legal services you have retained us for
• Legal obligation — to comply with applicable laws, court orders, and professional rules
• Legitimate interests — to manage our practice and deliver effective legal services
• Consent — for optional communications such as legal updates and newsletters, which you may withdraw at any time
• Vital interests — in exceptional circumstances where disclosure may prevent serious harm

5. Disclosure of Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may disclose your information only in the following circumstances:

• 5.1 With Your Consent
  • We will share your information with third parties where you have expressly authorized us to do so.
• 5.2 Service Providers and Experts
  • Attorneys, mediators, and other legal professionals engaged in connection with your matter
  • Expert witnesses including appraisers, family consultants, psychologists, and accountants
  • Courts and administrative agencies as required for proceedings
  • Secure IT and practice management service providers operating under confidentiality obligations
• 5.3 Legal and Regulatory Obligations
  • We may disclose information where required by law, court order, or to comply with reporting obligations under anti-money laundering, mandatory reporting, or other applicable legislation.
• 5.4 Business Succession
  • In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of our practice, client information may be transferred subject to equivalent privacy protections and, where required, your consent.

6. Sensitive Information

Family law matters frequently involve sensitive information, including health information, details of domestic and family violence, financial vulnerability, and information about children. We treat all such information with the highest degree of care.

We will only collect, use, or disclose sensitive information where it is reasonably necessary for your matter, required by law, or where you have provided express consent.

7. Security of Your Information

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or disclosure. These measures include:

• Secure storage of electronic records
• Access controls limiting information to authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis
• Physical security of our office premises and paper records

While we take all reasonable precautions, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. If you have reason to believe your information has been compromised, please contact us immediately.

8. Retention of Information

We retain your personal information for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, to provide ongoing legal services, and to comply with our professional and legal obligations.

In accordance with applicable legal and professional requirements, client files are generally retained for a minimum of five (5) years following the conclusion of a matter, consistent with Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct. After the applicable retention period, information may be securely destroyed or de-identified.

9. Your Privacy Rights

Subject to applicable law and our professional obligations, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date
• Request deletion of information where retention is no longer required or lawful
• Withdraw consent for processing activities based on consent (this will not affect prior lawful processing)
• File a complaint with the Maryland Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you believe we have violated applicable privacy law
• To exercise any of these rights, please contact our office.

10. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve functionality and understand how visitors use our site. You may configure your browser to refuse cookies, however some features of our website may not function correctly as a result.

We do not use website analytics data to make decisions about individual clients, and we do not combine analytics data with your legal file information.

11. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or our handling of your personal information, please contact our office:
Turnbull, Nicholson & Sanders, P.A. Email: info@tnsfamilylaw.com

Phone: 410-339-4100

We take all privacy complaints seriously and will respond promptly. If your concern cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, you may contact the Maryland Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov, or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. The current version will always be available on our website, with the effective date noted at the top of the document.

Where changes are material, we will notify current clients by email or in writing.