When people hear the term “pet trust,” they may think that it is not possible to create such a trust or that a pet trust is only for extremely wealthy people with very lucky pets. In reality, pet trusts do exist and they are an important tool for every pet owner for both incapacity and death planning. They exist because there is a need to address who will care for your pet if you cannot do so. A pet trust can provide Read More

sad children hugging his mother Naming a guardian for your minor child and your child’s property is a vital (yet often overlooked) element of the estate planning process. Though it may come as a surprise, the person you choose to be the child’s guardian does not have to be the same person who oversees their assets. The person who oversees their assets is referred to as the “Trustee.” Without the proper nomination Read More

Estate planning offers more than you may realize. Experienced attorneys will provide you with various ways to protect your assets while ensuring that your chosen beneficiaries receive them. An overlooked and essential element is that when you create one, you can be prepared for the uncertainties of the future. Everyone is exposed to the risk of being incapacitated. People who must undergo complicated or relatively Read More

People may dismiss the idea of creating an estate plan because they aren’t wealthy or elderly. People who choose to believe that might be underestimating what an estate plan is capable of. For example, young couples may meet with an estate planning attorney because they have chosen a guardian for their child if they should pass away unexpectedly.  An experienced attorney can walk you through ways to even plan for Read More

There is a considerable amount of overlap between a civilian and military divorce. When you file for divorce in Virginia, a court will be following the equitable distribution laws of Virginia. However, applying these laws to someone serving the military (or another branch of government) may be complicated. For instance, Virginia requires you or your spouse to reside here for at least six months before you can file Read More

The common misconception is that every divorce in the United States always has to become a bitter battle between spouses that disagree on everything from child support calculations, child visitation schedules, spousal support, and the division of marital assets. However, if both partners are willing to work together, they can have an uncontested divorce and reduce the cost and time involved in the divorce process. Read More

The best way to ensure that your heirs are protected and that your final wishes are honored is through a will and estate plan. Like every state, Virginia has specific laws regarding the creation of a valid will, and hiring an experienced estate planning attorney is the best way to ensure that your will is drafted correctly. If you're wondering how to write a will in Virginia, or any other estate planning documents, Read More

Filing for divorce is never easy, but if you have a child that is in high school or considering college, one additional question that you and your spouse must answer during this process is how to pay for your child’s college expenses. States differ on their rules regarding child support for college, and Virginia laws are not particularly helpful in this situation. However, you have other legal options to help Read More

Court orders are an important part of any case, but especially those concerning the collection of a contractual debt, child support, or alimony. A court order mandates the behavior, actions, or payment of one party during and after a case. However, sometimes people do not obey the terms set forth in court orders, and enforcement procedures are necessary to ensure compliance. If you are in a situation in which payment Read More