A medical emergency can leave family members facing a difficult decision with little to no warning. If an adult in Virginia cannot communicate and has not signed an advance medical directive, state law decides who can make healthcare decisions. The process follows a...
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that authorizes an individual to step in and manage another person's finances and legal affairs in certain situations. It is one of the most effective ways to prepare for the unexpected, such as a serious illness, accident...
Discovering that someone is contesting your loved one's will can trigger anxiety. Whether the challenge comes from an estranged family member or a distant relative, the stakes can be high. However, understanding how Virginia courts evaluate these disputes can help...
Many couples remain in long-term committed relationships for years and even decades – often until one of them passes away. If you’re in one of those couples, you and your partner may feel like you’re married, but in the eyes of the law, you aren’t. That means when one...
When you think about the future, protecting your loved ones likely ranks high on your priority list. Creating a will in Virginia might be one of the most thoughtful steps you can take to ease their burden during an already difficult time. Here are three ways a will...
Did you know that most Americans do not have an estate plan? Roughly a third do, but the other two-thirds do not, so the majority of Americans have not yet written a will or taken any other important steps to protect their future in the event of their incapacitation,...
There are many scenarios in which families may have questions about the validity of estate planning documents or what the deceased person truly intended. The discovery of multiple different estate plans drafted by the same person can leave everyone questioning what...
Many Manassas area residents are current, retired or former federal employees with assets still in a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). That plan should have at least one primary beneficiary as well as one or more contingent beneficiaries. While TSPs are similar to 401(k)s...
Your estate plan is only as good as the person you choose to execute it. When executors in Virginia breach their duties, beneficiaries do not have to accept it quietly. They can file lawsuits to protect their inheritance. These legal actions usually stem from a few...
Drafting an estate plan when you have a minor child calls for additional steps. You need to name a guardian for them and structure your estate plan in a way that allows your child to access their inheritance. Here is what to know to make informed decisions: Choosing a...
