As of July 1, 2010, a new power of attorney statute for Virginia went into effect. The new statute, which applies prospectively to both existing powers of attorney and powers of attorney created years ago, makes some significant changes about...
One of the most interesting and esoteric of the planning problems which we deal with is the area of asset protection. Asset protection is often done in the context of estate planning. Whether the primary goal is to protect assets or to plan for...
It is never too late to support a worthy charity – you can even include them as a beneficiary of your will, IRA, annuity, life insurance, etc. However, if you wish to qualify for a 2013 tax deduction, now may be an excellent time to make your...
What to do if you are involved in an automobile accident:
Immediately after the accident: Check for injuries; call an ambulance when in doubt. Turn off your vehicle and turn on your vehicle's hazard lights for safety. Call the police, even if the...
The whole idea of using a corporation or limited liability company is to provide protection for the owner from the creditors of the corporation or limited liability company. The law says you are not personally liable for your corporate or limited...
It happens. An employee is provided a valuable insurance on their life through their employer’s benefit plan. They designated their spouse, by name, as the beneficiary in the case of their death. The marriage later falls apart and as part of the...
Every person is unique and so must be their estate plan. With the availability of estate planning documents on the web, the preparation of an estate plan has become akin to purchasing a good.
The preparation of an estate plan is not simply...
Prior to 2007 under Virginia common law a landowner was typically limited to self- help when a neighbor’s vegetation such as tree roots or branches encroached onto his or her property. The only available remedy was to trim or cut the vegetation to...
The issue of whether a landowner may be liable for an injury to someone that occurs on their property depends on the legal classification of the injured person at the time of the injury. There are three types of visitors that are used in the...
I am often asked about the definition of shared custody. The term “shared custody” appears in the child support section of the Code of Virginia, not the custody and visitation section. It refers to circumstances where one party has custody or...