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Virginia Small Claims Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Antitrust and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: What happens if you're a arrested and the wrong name is on the warrant?

If a police officers charges you with a crime but didn't spell the name on the summons or warrant correctly what happens?

Daniel P Leavitt
Daniel P Leavitt pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 7, 2020

They will fix it for you if you tell them it's not spelled right.

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Civil Litigation and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: A collection agency is trying to collect a debt from 11 years ago with Wachovia bank.Wachovia said it’s written off

I have phone recordings of both collections and bank. Wachovia says they stopped collections 2-3 years ago of statute of limitations.

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Apr 23, 2020

If the origin of the debt was in Virginia and was connected to a written agreement, there is a 5 year statute of limitations that applies to the debt. The Statute of Limitations defense is an affirmative defense so it must be raised after a lawsuit is filed.

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: Can you send a warrant in debt to place of employment if you don't have a forwarding address for someone that has moved
F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Jan 20, 2020

Generally in Virginia, a Warrant in Debt is served by the Sheriff or a Deputy Sheriff on the Defendant at that person's place of residence, however, it is possible to file a Motion based on good cause shown to request a judge to give permission for the Warrant in Debt to be served at the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: Can text messages be binding as proof and used in court?
F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Jan 20, 2020

Subject to the procedural and substantive rules of evidence that are followed in Court, it is possible that text messages will be admissible evidence in a trial in Virginia.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: A roommate,not on a lease,2 & a half months late on rent, moved out, refuses to pay. Can they be taken to court to pay

They moved in feb. Chased rent a few times. Late Sept they contacted landlord stating they would pay an extra 50 for being late on oct rent. They Contacted again in late oct goin to be late nov. But in nov made a partial payment for oct. Still no payment for nov. With promise to pay dec 21st.... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Jan 20, 2020

The claim is for money owed. You can file a civil Warrant in Debt in the jurisdiction in which the premises is located and against the person who owes the money. Your hurdle may be to find the former roommates since the Court requires that person be served in order for the Curt to have jurisdiction... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: Can we file a lawsuit against Ashley furniture for false advertising and misinformation?

We purchased bedroom and dining room furniture from Ashley furniture about a year ago. The furniture's cost us about $8000 plus insurance coverage of $600. In about a year, the coating of the furniture has been peeling off, the chairs legs are lose and the joints are broken. We reached out to... View More

Robert R Weed
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Robert R Weed
answered on Dec 3, 2019

Virginia has some of the weakest consumer protection laws in the country.

One place to look for a lawyer who could be able to take it on is National Association of Consumer Advocates. https://www.consumeradvocates.org/find-an-attorney

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: Should a person provide a written estimate to someone who responsible for the repairs to damage cause in their home?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 13, 2019

As a general matter, it's customary to do so if the damages are for anything substantial. It could be a showing of good faith to present more than one estimate, preferably from a person(s) or entity(s) with validation or credentials in the type of repairs involved. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: what to do if the insurance says they only covers accidents not theft? Can I take the case to court?

I stayed at a hotel and forgot my golden rings (about a 1000$ of value) in the bathroom right before I checked out. I called the hotel 30 min after I said I am coming back. 2 cleaning staff entered the room before I came ( one after another not together) They said they didn’t find it. The police... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 1, 2019

It would be a tough case. It's your word against theirs as to the disappearance of the rings. It could have been a different situation if they were presented to the front desk for safekeeping. You could consult with an attorney to see if after discussing the matter with you in greater detail... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: Could I get a warrant of debt dismissed if I’m on the warrant but am not the party listed on the lease as the landlord?
F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Oct 31, 2019

If you were an occupant in the premises and the lawsuit stated "John Doe and All Occupants" then you will not be able to dismiss the lawsuit.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Energy, Oil and Gas and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: MonPower refuses to start my service because the last landowner had a back bill. I even sent them a copy of my lease

Is it legal to deny me electricity for a stranger's debt?

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Jul 15, 2019

The amount of money involved is way too small to be of interest to most lawyers. FYI, the law is not designed to solve every little problem that comes your way during this lifetime; the Latin phrase for this rule is "De minimus non curat lex."

Pay the balance and then sue the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims and Contracts for Virginia on
Q: Received a warrant of debt for a repair but I didn't agree on the terms. Any way to fight the claim?

I asked a company for an estimate on repairs. Instead they came & did the repairs. I have contested part of the bill as unknown terms. They want me to pay for their workers to load & unload the materials at their shop. A reasonable amount was offered & had to be in installments. I do... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Jun 7, 2019

Either pay the amount claimed, negotiate a compromise and pay that or hunker down and wait.

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Identity Theft and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: dealing with USAA and identity theft & they continue to allow our account to be breached despite our daily calls. HELP

They’ve sent checks & debit cards to other addresses despite our contact with their fraud department. We haven’t even been reimbursed yet for our checking & savings being wiped clean. While we were on the phone Friday locking down the accounts we watched as someone transferred our... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Apr 9, 2019

This sounds like some sort of an insider electronic hacking situation. If the amount of money is worth it, try hiring a lawyer to take up the job of fighting with the USAA bureaucracy instead of you having to do it. The first order of business would be to move all the money you still have at USAA... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, International Law and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: I ordered something worth $110 online through a website from someone in Austrailia and I'm living in the USA. How can.

How can I get my money back?

I ordered it with my debit card, and the seller has not responded it's been 2 months since I ordered they didn't respond to my emails.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 20, 2019

Contact the bank or institution issuing the card to see if they have provisions for resolving or adjudicating disputes.

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Small Claims and Traffic Tickets for Virginia on
Q: How can Virginiaenforce a tint violation on a traveling outofstate vehicle and getaway with violating the righttopasslaw

How can Virginia enforce a tint violation on an out of state vehicle and get away with violating the right to pass law?

Daniel P Leavitt
Daniel P Leavitt pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 3, 2019

Every driver in the US is required to comply with the individual requirements of each state they enter. When you enter a state you are required to abide by their laws. So if you bring marijuana that is legal to possess and use from one state where it's legal into a state where it's... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Small Claims, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: Can my vehicle be towed from a private property without notice?

My plates had expired and my vehicle was towed from private property (my apartment complex). The towing company said they placed a notice on my car Tuesday, however I never seen a notice. Is it a time frame that they have to give me prior to towing the vehicle?

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Feb 28, 2019

I do not handle car towing matters. Sorry.

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: An apartment I am renting was flooded by an upstairs neighbor. Whose responsibility are repairs after my lease ends?

The landlord informed me that if the neighbor that flooded us does not repair the damages by the time my lease is over. I will be the sole person responsible. Is this correct?

Also, is it true that as a tenant, I am required to cover a portion of the damage cost with my insurance?

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Feb 5, 2019

The people who live upstairs are the negligent parties and are solely liable to the landlord for the damages whether before or after the end of your lease.

Renter's insurance may or may not have coverage for water damage caused by the upstairs neighbor. You should call the insurance...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: If I have a car that I have repaired in my shop and the customer doesn't come and pay bill.

I know I can take a mechanics lean out on car, but when I read the law it says I can take out a $1000.00 lean, is this true and if it is how can I go about getting the rest of what owed to me the invoice on car is for $4500.00.

Help in Virginia.... Part of the issue is there is a lien... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Dec 13, 2018

The best way to attempt to recover the $4,500 is to file a small claims lawsuit in court.

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims and Civil Litigation for Virginia on
Q: 0nce judgement is granted in your favor of a debt warrant, how is the money obtained?
F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Nov 13, 2018

It is assumed that the losing party will not voluntarily pay the awarded amount. In that case, once the judgment awarded in your favor becomes final (the period of an appeal has passed), then the judgment creditor can enforce the judgment by filing and setting a court date for a Garnishment... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts, Small Claims and Collections for Virginia on
Q: Can a lawyer include a stmnt of my account and the contract I signed when filing a warrant in debt? HIPAA?

Is it a Hipaa violation to include a complete statement of my account which includes what procedures I had done, along with a copy of the contract I signed when filing a warrant in debt with the court?

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Nov 9, 2018

I do not handle medical collection cases so I regret that I cannot answer your question.

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Small Claims for Virginia on
Q: In a warrant and debt can plaintiff take your home if they win judgement
L. Ilaine  Upton
L. Ilaine Upton
answered on Aug 20, 2018

They can certainly put a lien on your house, that's very common. They could try to foreclose, but I've never actually seen anybody do this.

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