I have seen the terms use incorrectly before, so it is useful to have context, but the usual meaning go a primary beneficiary is the person, persons, or entities that are first in line to receive the proceeds upon the death of the grantor. A secondary or contingent beneficiary takes only if the... View More

A witness may be asked about felony convictions and misdemeanors involving moral turpitude - lying, cheating and stealing. These types of crimes reflect on the credibility of the witness.

Nina Whitehurst Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 27, 2021

The exact timing matters and the exact wording of the will matters too. There is not enough information here to answer your question. You should schedule a consultation with a probate attorney.

If a Virginia resident dies intestate - without a will, his or her assets, including the present right to an inheritance, are part of his or her estate and would pass, if at all, according to the law of intestate succession, as administered by the personal representative of the estate - an... View More

The answers to the interrogatories asked, the documents subject to a document request, the admissions that the parties make in response to requests, the oral answers to depositions of parties and witnesses, and the documents and things that are sought to be examined. What those things are is... View More

It very much matters where your father was domiciled when he passed. You should consult counsel licensed in that state. If the only assets are Virginia real estate, you might avoid formal probate, but, in all likelihood, you'll need a probate in Virginia and an ancillary probate in Puerto... View More

If this property is in Virginia, the correct pleading is a Petition for Sale in Lieu of Partition, and, under Virginia law, the legal fees are paid off the top from the sale. As such, most attorneys will want some form of retainer to cover the initial fees, but those can be reimbursed at the end,... View More

Request for Admissions, Interrogatories and Request for Production of Documents.

The two should be in synch, because having them inconsistent can be used to confess and delay proceedings when everyone needs certainty and dispatch. The inconsistency can be used as evidence that your testamentary intent was uncertain or that you were confused. Unless you can be proven... View More

I regret that I do not handle matters that involve Trusts and/or Trustees. Sorry.

Losing?

Major legal expense?

Inability to collect?

Witnesses forget the facts?

Party says something stupid?

Risk... risk... risk.

As long as the loan continues to be paid timely, nothing happens. If it is not paid, the lender enforces against the living signer and tries to enforce against the deaf citizens-signer. Upon learning of the demise, they may proceed to file a claim in the probate estate.

I am sorry for your situation.

I always recommend consulting an attorney for an estate - depending on the estate we can save the family money and keep them from making mistakes in handling the estate. Consult a probate lawyer.

There's usually no hurry when someone passes... View More

Nina Whitehurst Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 4, 2021

It is not true that the sole beneficiary cannot be the sole trustee. However, it is true that if you set it up that way, it is virtually impossible to afford the beneficiary any asset protection. If asset protection for her is your goal, then you should name an independent trustee and also take... View More

The course of descents in Virginia is set forth in Virginia Code Section 64.2-200 as follows:

"1. To the surviving spouse of the decedent, unless the decedent is survived by children or their descendants, one or more of whom are not children or their descendants of the surviving... View More

A Virginia resident can file a Warrant in Detinue for the return of specific personal property or its fair market value. A person who converts another's property to his or her own use has committed the tort of conversion. If someone takes someone else's property with the specific intent... View More

In Virginia, a personal property owner can file a Warrant in Detinue in General District Court for the return of personal property or an award of its fair market value. The Warrant in Detinue is a fill-in-the-blanks form. In Circuit Court, a Complaint for Detinue would have to be drafted by the... View More

Maybe. I need more information. Is the person staying a spouse? Is it a dependent child? Even if there is no duty of support, criminal law only becomes involved if there is a crime, such as breaking and entering or trespass, so calling the tenancy illegal stretches the common meaning of illegality.... View More

A spouse is not required to make his or her spouse a beneficiary of a last will and testament; however, there are statutory rights for surviving spouses that limit the ability to completely disinherit a spouse in Virginia. A surviving spouse can effectively renounce a will and claim an elective... View More

Every state in which I practice gives executors, administrators, and personal representatives powers to accomplish their objectives. If you don't know what those powers are or how to use them, you need to retain counsel. The estate can pay for that legal advice, so it isn't coming out of... View More