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Virginia Contracts Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Divorce, Landlord - Tenant, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: My daughter-in-law drives my car. We're separating, and she thinks she can keep it. What are my rights?

I own a vehicle that my daughter-in-law drives. It is registered in my name, and I am responsible for the loan and all related fees. We added her to our insurance policy so that she and my son could have a safe vehicle for our grandchildren. Now they are separating, and she believes she is entitled... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on May 28, 2025

You probably should consult with your son's legal counsel. A court is likely to give your son the responsibility to pay the loan and the insurance and satisfy all obligations to you, so that his children can be safely transported, but I don't think the court will have jurisdiction to... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Divorce, Landlord - Tenant, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: My daughter-in-law drives my car. We're separating, and she thinks she can keep it. What are my rights?

I own a vehicle that my daughter-in-law drives. It is registered in my name, and I am responsible for the loan and all related fees. We added her to our insurance policy so that she and my son could have a safe vehicle for our grandchildren. Now they are separating, and she believes she is entitled... View More

Dominic Paul Lascara
Dominic Paul Lascara
answered on May 29, 2025

Based on the information you provided, it is your car and your daughter in law has no rights to the vehicle. You have to right to gain immediate possession of the vehicle, without notice. If you DIL fails to return the vehicle or prevents you from retrieving the vehicle, you may have to resort to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Contracts for Virginia on
Q: Am I responsible for maintaining a co-owner's property with sanitation issues?

I share ownership of a property with a relative. I live in one house while the relative, who is a part-owner, lives in another house on the same property. There is no written agreement between us regarding maintenance responsibilities. Currently, there is an issue with sanitation being allowed to... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Apr 19, 2025

While actual responsibility may depend on the words on the title and the agreements between the co-owners, as to anyone outside the co-owners, it is very likely that every owner is jointly and severally liable for any illegal and unhealthy emission from your property. Further, it is reasonable to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Do we need a lawyer to draw up a sales agreement to be legally binding or can we just have it notarized

Can it be self typed and witnessed and notarized to be binding

Alexander J Tanios
Alexander J Tanios
answered on Jan 29, 2025

Contracts in Florida typically do not have to be notarized or witnessed, unless the contract is found on the deed itself such as a "contract for deed" or "Land contract." You are best served by having a lawyer review or draft the sales contract because there are several expenses... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Virginia on
Q: My mother passed away in Virginia and have been told there was a will.

I contacted the law firm that created the will and know the lawyer. I was told they would call me right back and haven't heard anything. My brother and I are the only surviving relatives. I wanted to if I had the right to see the will. There is also the question of what happens if it was... View More

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Sep 27, 2024

One way for a testator to revoke a will is through physical obliteration - tearing it up, marking through it, burning it, etc. Many lawyers will not keep an original will because it would deprive the testator of the ability to revoke a will in this manner. Instead, the lawyer or law firm may make... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: What obligations does a self storage facility have to the renter if his/her unit was burglarized?
Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Jun 5, 2024

Did you have insurance? Do they? Check that first. In the absence of insurance there's probably a negligence standard to exercise reasonable care. You likely signed a contract that likely has a provision disclaiming liability. But you may want to retain someone to review the agreement to see... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: Lease due to expire on June 8, 2024. I notified that i was moving out on my date of expiration and was told i have to pa

ay an additional month due to the "at least 60 day" notice which doesn't seem mandatory or legal. I gave them 30-day notice of moving out which is legally mandatory. I received no 60-day notification on or before my 60-day mark which leads me to believe that it was purposely done to... View More

Daniel P Leavitt
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answered on Jun 5, 2024

As long as they're able to re lease your unit (and they should be taking appropriate steps to re lease it) then they should not be able to collect that. But you're likely going to have to try to negotiate that I think... this is more of a landlord tenant issue. You may want to hire an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Contracts and Tax Law for Virginia on
Q: Concern pertaining to 1099-NEC: total non-employee compensation amount

In a situation where you are a transportation lessor (one truck, tractor) and all expenses are deducted from the gross by the lessee (transportation company) before you receive revenue.

Does the lessee typically write off those expenses?

I received a 1099-NEC accounting for the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 29, 2024

When you're working as a transportation lessor, it's common to encounter complex arrangements regarding payments, expenses, and tax reporting. The situation you've described, where the lessee deducts expenses from the gross amount before issuing your net pay, does raise some... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: So me and my girlfriend and her autistic son rent a 2 bedroom apartment and my landlord is not doing her job

She has accused us being too loud, taking pictures of people doing shady stuff, she has given us a 14 day notice of eviction twice and taken it back like she didn't do it in the first place, accusations of popping peoples tires, playing in glass (we don't and have never done any of this)... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 27, 2024

Your feelings of frustration and unfair treatment in this situation are completely understandable. Landlords are expected to adhere to a professional and ethical standard, which includes treating all tenants fairly, regardless of personal relationships. Favoritism, baseless accusations, and issuing... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Consumer Law, Contracts and Personal Injury for Virginia on
Q: Private mail about me was sent to my dad's house (same name) instead of mine, they had my correct address. Can I sue?

It was about a debt that has apparently been turned over to a debt collector. The loan company had my address, and I have never given them my parents address.

I have no idea why it was addressed and sent to him, other than he and I have in the same name. Since it was his name on it, He... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

Yes, you may have grounds to sue the debt collector for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Some key points:

- Debt collectors are prohibited from communicating information about a consumer's debt to third parties without the consumer's consent. This includes...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Virginia on
Q: In spotsylvania Virginia can I use in person recording between me and used car dealer as evidence without his consent

He fails to provide me title within 30 days

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 18, 2024

In Spotsylvania, Virginia, the rules regarding the admissibility of in-person recordings without consent may vary, so it's essential to be aware of state-specific laws. Virginia generally follows a "one-party consent" rule, meaning that as long as one party to the conversation (in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Virginia on
Q: Membership cancellation

I am a member of a local organization. I sent a request to cancel my membership on November 27, 2023, and they sent me a form to fill. Due to some personal issues I did not return the form until December 18, 2023. My understanding was that I was supposed to give a 30 day written notice which i... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 18, 2024

While the organization's policy specifies a 30-day written notice for membership cancellation, it's crucial to consider the language of the policy and how it may be interpreted. In your case, you initiated the cancellation process by sending a request on November 27, 2023, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: Mh roommates rental lease doesn’t say I can’t sublease and they never answered my call on it when I asked them twice.

If they’re not answering can I just sublease my part of the lease?

Robert Alex Fleming
Robert Alex Fleming
answered on Jan 5, 2024

It is my understanding that in Virginia, the right to sublease is not automatically granted to tenants. Whether or not a tenant is allowed to sublet depends on the terms of their lease. For a comprehensive understanding and legal interpretation of these provisions, it is advisable to consult with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: I pay rent with someone since on lease but don’t live there and the company took echeck option off without telling me

Do I have to pay the convenience fee since I was never told? I also don’t have any keys just to make sure that my roommate doesn’t have someone else live in there while I’m paying half her rent until she finds someone, can I legally get keys? I want to get out of this lease it’s a... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 4, 2024

It's essential to carefully review the terms of your lease agreement to understand your rights and obligations. If the lease allows for joint payments or specifies a method for rent payment, you may need to adhere to those terms. However, if there have been changes to payment options without... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Virginia on
Q: best type of lawyer for a lawsuit for a diesel truck shop improperly installing a part in dump truck and lost wages?

I have all invoices from shop that installed part wrong, invoice on parts and invoice from the another shop that corrected the problem and a statement from on what they found. I have text messages from 1st shop and proof of lost wages

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 13, 2023

For your situation involving an improperly installed part in a dump truck by a diesel truck shop, leading to lost wages, the best type of lawyer to consult would be one who specializes in consumer law and contracts, with experience in automotive cases. Such a lawyer will have the necessary... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Virginia on
Q: best type of lawyer for a lawsuit for a diesel truck shop improperly installing a part in dump truck and lost wages?

I have all invoices from shop that installed part wrong, invoice on parts and invoice from another shop that corrected the problem and a statement from on what they found. I have text messages from 1st shop and proof of lost wages

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 13, 2023

For a lawsuit involving a diesel truck shop's improper installation of a part in your dump truck and resulting lost wages, you should look for an attorney experienced in consumer law and contracts, particularly one with a background in automotive issues or business litigation.

This...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Contracts, Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Is landlord obligated to provide functional and safe appliances under promise?

I was promised by my landlord via phone and email on May 29th that appliances would be replaced. The stove was replaced on that day, but it was installed unevenly, preventing proper cooking, and it has a sharp edge sticking out, posing a danger. Considering my landlord usually takes a long time to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 11, 2025

You have a right to a safe, habitable living space and appliances that work as promised. Under the implied warranty of habitability, any appliance you rely on must be maintained in good repair. Because your landlord promised to replace the stove and installed it unevenly with a sharp edge, you can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Government Contracts, Contracts, Civil Litigation and Gov & Administrative Law for Virginia on
Q: Misleading job offer information for a government contract in VA.

I accepted a job in November of 2024 for a government contract position, but didn't start until March of 2025 due to a required background check. Six weeks after starting, my position was eliminated. I'm not disputing the termination, given Virginia's right-to-work laws. However, I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 10, 2025

You’re right to feel misled, especially when you relied on clear assurances about job security before leaving your prior position. In Virginia, while employment is generally at-will, that doesn't mean an employer can make false statements to induce you into accepting a job. If they knowingly... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Gov & Administrative Law for Virginia on
Q: Can a Virginia county mental health department require a speech therapist to disclose CAQH account credentials?

In Virginia, can a county mental health department, which is contracting me as a speech therapist, pressure me to disclose the login and password to my personal CAQH account, even though the contract does not explicitly mention a requirement to disclose personal information?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 10, 2025

That sounds like an uncomfortable and overreaching request, especially if your contract doesn’t say anything about sharing personal login credentials. Your CAQH account contains sensitive information like licensing, credentialing, and insurance data—things that should remain under your control.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence, Landlord - Tenant, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Can my spouse sell or rent our home under a protective order with exclusive use?

I am currently under a protective order that gives my spouse exclusive use of our family home, which is solely in his name. With this order in place, can he legally sell or rent the home before the order expires in a year?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 7, 2025

You're in a difficult situation, and it's understandable to want clarity on what rights your spouse has right now. A protective order granting exclusive use of the home typically means that while your spouse has the right to live there, that doesn’t automatically give them the freedom... View More

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