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In 194?, my aunt purchased a property and specified in her will that it should be distributed to her siblings. My uncle, who also owned property, died before her and left his estate to the aunt who purchased the land. The remaining siblings signed off the property to one sister. My uncle's... View More 
answered on Jun 16, 2025
From your question I infer you have uncle's original will. What you need isn't a 'do it yourself' thing: you'll need a lawyer to file an action to 'Remove Cloud on Title', also known as 'Quiet title' action. You need a very experienced probate and... View More
I've experienced significant issues with dangerous dogs belonging to tenants of my landlord. Despite complaining, the landlord hasn't taken action beyond stating that the tenants aren't supposed to have dogs. The dogs have come onto my property, attacking my pets and nearly killing... View More
answered on May 13, 2025
Without knowing more, I doubt that any action against the landlord would be successful.
I'm assuming the property is in Virginia and subject to the Virginia landlord tenant act. That act requires that the landlord give the tenant notice to remove the dogs - and then the tenant... View More
I bought a home "as-is" about 5 months ago. Before purchasing, I asked the real estate company if there were any septic system problems, and they claimed there were none. However, I've learned from a neighbor that the real estate company was informed of septic issues before the sale.... View More
answered on Apr 26, 2025
The law on this is complex and not helpful to you.
First, Real estate agents (the 'company' in your question) only know what the actual seller/former owner tell them. Unfortunately, sellers either don't tell or lie to their agents about the property. If the seller,... View More
My husband recently passed away, and he inherited a third of his aunt's house, which was sold after his passing. He has two sons from a previous marriage. Now, his ex-wife has hired a lawyer in Virginia. My husband did not leave a will, and there are no outstanding debts in his estate. Are his... View More
answered on Mar 14, 2025
I'm sorry for your loss.
The answer isn't a simple 'yes' or 'no'. Without further information you may be entitled to 1/3 of his share and his children the other 2/3, however a critical issue is timing - distribution if his aunt died before your husband is one... View More
I want to remove my name from the house deed, which is currently owned jointly with my husband. We have a mortgage of about $200,000. I need to remove my name to qualify for medical benefits, and we're considering transferring my share of ownership entirely to my husband. Currently, I am... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2025
Mr. Sternberg is correct - you need to consult an Elder Law attorney before you do something foolish. To find one, you can go to the Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (VAELA) website - www.vaela.org - and find several near you. The system indicates that you're in Northern Virginia -... View More
answered on Feb 11, 2025
Mr. Sternberg is correct - you have three choices: 1) own it in your own name; 2) own it in your Wyoming LLC AND register that LLC in Virginia (for about the same cost as forming one) or 3) form a Virginia LLC and own it with that.
Some gratuitous advice: many years ago a real estate... View More
We have rented the house we live in since 2014. Every thing went well no issues fast forward to 2020 and a guy came to our house stating he had owned the house since 2018. He got it at auction because the previous owner had failed to pay property taxes from 2016 on. To make a long story short they... View More
answered on Oct 26, 2024
First, I congratulate you for saving the money until the mess was straightened out. I've seen too many instances that wasn't done. The only change to that is I'd have suggested you open a special savings account and put your rent into it each month - if you ever had to prove your... View More
An old fence was erected when our house was built in 1990. There are old fruit trees planted on our side of the fence. The fence is about 30 feet from our actual property line. The area on our side of the fence has been maintained by our prior property owners before we purchased the property and... View More
answered on Sep 15, 2024
While your facts appear to support your claim of adverse possession, and there is a reasonable likelihood of success, it's not easy or clearcut. Simply, you need to get a lawyer on board - if only for advice - and see what else you need to do to cement your claim.
Adverse possession... View More
We owned the house while married nothing was agreed on except he was to live in the house. He left the state and never said a word. Now he sent me a gift of deed to sign over my rights.
answered on Apr 28, 2024
Other counsel are correct - we don't have enough information and you should consult with a lawyer - take all your divorce papers with you to the consultation, especially any separation agreement you had and the final decree of divorce.
This forum is designed to give you a quick... View More
Last payment made Dec 2014. Have not heard from note holder until Feb 2024 threatening foreclosure, interest, and legal fees.
answered on Feb 15, 2024
You've left out some important information - when was the mortgage taken out, when was it's original due date, and a few other things. I have a lot more questions than answers at this point.
That said, the odds are that the holder of the debt may still be able to foreclose on the... View More
As the husband of the decedent, I am the only person in the estate.
answered on Feb 6, 2024
Handling of estates is a lot more technical than most people think, and you should consult an experienced probate attorney to review the estate and advise you. If there is no estate under administration (through the court system) you - as an individual - are generally not responsible for the... View More
I own a 1.8-acre parcel adjacent to an 8.2-acre parcel, which had an erroneous deed of sale filed by its previous owner. The original deed granted access to a cabin for two people, including myself, to the 8.2-acre parcel. However, a subsequent deed incorrectly changed this access to only the 1.8... View More
answered on May 8, 2025
Mr. Sternberg is correct - without more information there's no way to quote a flat fee. I would want to see comprehensive title examinations for all involved parcels to evaluate how much of a problem actually exists. I would also look at your plans for the property with the title examination... View More
I have a judgment against me due to a personal guarantee on a business loan. My business closed in 2020. I never received notice of the court case, and didn't attend it. Recently, the sheriff appeared at the house I live in, stating he will seize items for auction. I am married, and my wife... View More
answered on Mar 19, 2025
Your problem is very complex - much too complicated for an internet answer board which is designed to give you a quick response or help you to the 'next step'. Your issue is way beyond that. Find and consult a lawyer experienced in this area of the law to get more information about your... View More
1 sibling passed away leaving 3 children. Is the estate then split (2 siblings = 66%) and (3 children sharing the remaining 33%)? There is no will.
answered on Dec 4, 2024
Your question is not clear; I see two possibilities.
1) Parent (P) dies without a will, no spouse surviving. P had three children (A, B & C) ; one of the three children (C) died leaving three children of their own (M, N & O). A & B each get 1/3 of the estate; M, N & O get... View More
answered on Apr 1, 2024
From your question I infer that you went ahead and paid the additional rent without objection. In that case, a court could hold that you accepted and ratified the increase and deny a claim.
Do and what are my legal options? Why pay something that could be someone else's water bill? How can I prove its a fake bill?
answered on Mar 2, 2024
You have your question backwards. It's up to the landlord to prove it's the bill for your property. You might call the water utility and ask about billing at your address.
It has been 48 days since the end of my lease and I have not received my security deposit back, an itemized list of deductions, or any communication regarding withholding my deposit. My lease specifically stated that the deposit would be returned within 45 days. I reached out to my landlord to ask... View More
answered on Aug 17, 2023
Security Deposits are governed by 55.1-1226 of the Code of Virginia - you can find it at this link:
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title55.1/chapter12/section55.1-1226/
It specifies 45 days from the date defined in the law (earlier timelines were a bit shorter) so it may be... View More
Moving in on September of 2022 my wife and I had our first child. And we noticed the AC in our unit did not work as well as we wanted. By end of day our unit would be 80+ degrees which with a newborn was impossible to sleep at night. Maintenance would continue to state over the last year that it... View More
answered on Jul 23, 2023
First, you can sue anyone for almost anything (there can be a penalty if it's frivolous, however. Don't worry: your situation is not 'frivolous' in my opinion). The real question is whether you can succeed in that suit. I think you have a fair chance of success - nothing... View More
a family trust was established and every document mentioned every child by name and says and their descendants have a shared right to use of the land. 2nd great grandfather died in 1930 and up until 1986 all documents list all siblings, some of their children(my deceased grandmother was named) and... View More
answered on Jun 7, 2023
This forum is designed and good for simple, general questions that will get you to the 'next step' for legal situations. Sometimes all people need is a simple answer. From the facts you’ve given, it seems that you need a lot more than an internet answer. Find and meet with an... View More
My great, great, great, great, great grandfather owned a significant amount of land in Virginia in the late 1,700's. In his will, he states, "my will is and I desire that my estate be neither appraised nor sold." He then goes on and says "I give and bequeath unto my son..his... View More
answered on Mar 12, 2023
Nope. You don't have any claim at all based on the facts you've given. That little word 'assigns' means people that ancestor may sell the land to. He sold it.
There is also an obscure real estate rule called the 'Rule against Perpetuities' which, in very... View More
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