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Virginia Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Virginia on
Q: Is it possible to use joint ownership of accounts to avoid probate and transfer money to a non-joint owner heir?

Joint Owner 1 and Joint Owner 2 own Account A (with rights of survivorship).

Joint Owner 2 and Joint Owner 3 own Account B.

JO1 dies. JO2 has access to all the funds in Account A without going through probate.

JO2 can move funds from Account A into Account B. JO3 now has... View More

Dominic Paul Lascara
Dominic Paul Lascara
answered on Sep 12, 2024

Yes.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Virginia on
Q: How do you prove undue influence in West Virginia? The testator was very old and frail and had been diagnosed with

Dementia. Her stepdaughter and stepdaughter’s husband secured an online will and filled it out for her, then had her sign it. They also secured two witnesses who both testified to only seeing her once a year. The will was not signed in the presence of the testator. Two different locations are... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jun 19, 2024

Sounds like you need to consult with a West Virginia lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Products Liability, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Probate for Virginia on
Q: Is there a way to mail in title to seller without meeting them

Seller bought the car and I’m trying to give them the title without meeting them in person

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 4, 2024

A Virginia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. You could look into sending it certified mail. Also check with the local office of your DMV. Their website might offer more complete info about vehicle forms. Good luck

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Virginia on
Q: Probate case (dying intestate) only 1 living heir (sibling). Are nieces & nephews of deceased siblings eligible?

Judge requests that I (only living heir) purchase a probate bond costing $8-10K. Judge said bond was needed to protect the other heirs in case I ran off with the shares of stock. However, it appears that Missouri law DOES NOT RECOGNIZE nieces & nephews as valid next of kin unless there are... View More

Dominic Paul Lascara
Dominic Paul Lascara
answered on Mar 8, 2024

If the level of the heirs at law gets to siblings, then nieces and nephews of deceased siblings (and even great nieces and nephews, if applicable), become heirs at law.

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Virginia on
Q: What is the easiest way to file a petition city of Chesapeake asking a judge to appoint an executor for my mothers estat

Va is a majority rules state and 5/7 siblings have agreed that the property needs to be sold we are not allowed in it by opposing siblings and she prior to mother’s death isolated her until we took legal action

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Aug 2, 2023

AFAIK, Virginia is not a "majority rules" state as to partition or sale in lieu of partition of land. Any owner of jointly held land can more for sale in lieu of partition if the property is inherently indivisible. I don't understand the rest of your question or description, so... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Virginia on
Q: Seeking some clarification on the language used within a Last Will and Testament of a decedent naming two beneficiaries.

The Personal Property clause of the Will states that all of the personal property that has not been directed as specific bequests, or a part of the residual estate, be equally distributed among the two name beneficiaries.

Additionally, the Residual Estate clause states that the property,... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jun 20, 2023

Reviewing your question without actually reading the will and interviewing about the circumstances is, in my view, rank malpractice. Indeed, I just took a CLE class this week that agreed that such a review might create a conflict of interests. Get a lawyer to review the specific facts. Many lawyers... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Virginia on
Q: My mother passed away on 6/22 (no will) . I filed probate received real estate affidavit contacted mortgage co.

5 months later the mortgage co. (sps) files foreclosure after I submit the deed with my name. I have to give them $18, 000 by the first of June what can I do their relationship manager did not file most of the paperwork I sent her

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on May 26, 2023

When the owner of real property in Virginia dies intestate - without a will - title to the real property "drops like a stone" into the names of the heirs. Property inherited by heirs does not pass free and clear of liens or security interests. The heirs take the property subject to all... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Elder Law and Probate for Virginia on
Q: I have a question regarding being POA?

Father has left sister and I POA, we can act jointly or separately. Issue my sister aren't seeing eye to eye on is my father's 3rd largest asset (750K) is his home that is actually a vacation home. Lived there full time before he got sick. House is deteriorating, needs at least 35k in... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 3, 2023

Hire a VA attorney to file a Conservatorship. The POA is not working, and was probably drafted in error.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Virginia on
Q: My grandma had a trust but apparently signed her car title over to me like I had bought it. Does that mean it is mine?
Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Apr 28, 2023

It may depend a bit on the state, but if she signed and delivered the car title to you, you are the title owner. The change of title should be filed an MVA/DMV, and you should make sure the insurance matches the title. You are responsible for the vehicle. On the other hand, if the signing of the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Virginia on
Q: Can an adult child claim part of fathers estate in Virginia if there has been no communication for over 30 years

the child had no desire to be part of fathers life and he has been married for 13 years to his present wife & she has helped in the marriage

finances. The father has passed & his wife is his beneficiary.

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Apr 16, 2023

Co-sanguinity and marriage determine legal rights in an intestate decedent's estate. It is not necessary for a blood relative or cohabitating spouse to have had a close relationship with the decedent, except that a spouse who deserted or abandoned the decedent during his or her life loses... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Probate for Virginia on
Q: If you went to your court date and was granted a motion of continuance but still went to jail what and why ?
Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Feb 8, 2023

This is a question that should be directed to your lawyer. Nobody can give you a competent answer without knowing the facts and the procedural setting.

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Virginia on
Q: My mother's will list my brother & myself. As heir to her estate. My brother pass. What happens now? I'm left executive

Also power of attorney. Does his wife now get half? Or I'm I the sole heir

Shafeek Seddiq
Shafeek Seddiq
answered on Dec 8, 2022

Possibly, yes, his wife and children, if any, may receive the half, but it depends on what the will says, how it says it and when your brother passed away. I recommend you to take the will to a lawyer near you to review it and explain the next steps of Probate. So, it is not as simple as saying... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Virginia on
Q: My mother passed, had no will, my sister was handling the estate. She works for a criminal attorney that is now handling

My mothers estate? But mind you he couldn't represent me in criminal court because of conflict of interest cause my sister works for him. Should be the same with the estate?? I asked my sister for a copy of estate paper work and I'm getting no response? I need to know what my rights are... View More

Ross Cameron Hart
Ross Cameron Hart
answered on Nov 12, 2022

In my opinion lawyers who focus on one area of the law shouldn't dabble in areas of law they aren't familiar with. It can breed malpractice claims.

There are a lot of missing pieces in your short question. I suggest you consult an experienced probate law firm for a consultation...
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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Virginia on
Q: I would like to know how do I move forward on finding what assets my dad who passed away last year had.

My sister sold his house in Chicago and moved him to Virginia three months before he passed away. I checked the Prince William County Probate office and a Will has not been filed. What Kind of attorney should I look for? I need an Virginia attorney.

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Nov 3, 2022

Attorneys who help people with property of an estate of a decedent, typically identify themselves by one or more of the following practice areas: probate, estate administration, elder law, or wills and estate planning. Usually, the last residence of the decedent is the proper place or... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law, Probate and Estate Planning for Virginia on
Q: Suspect Trust having funds dispersed illegally. CA Orange County trust but I'm in VA and executor in Seattle. What to do

Stepmom/Bio Dad created Joint Trust in 2004. Stepmom began making changes to Trust in 2018/19 while Dad having dementia. Wouldn't say what she did . She died in 2020. Financial POA went to elder twin daughter of stepmom. She wouldn't give any info. Then she died in 2022. Now younger... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Oct 1, 2022

There is no competent way such specifics can be resolved in an Internet forum outside of privilege and without reviewing the trust documents. Start with a lawyer in your state, and, if it turns to litigation, you might need counsel that has jurisdiction over the trust or the trustee in California... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Virginia on
Q: How do I obtain a death certificate…

My fiancée of whom we shared a child together passed away unexpectedly from a stroke. And of course it’s a case of I ntestate succession. Vital statistics customer service told me that since our daughter is a minor and I am not next of kin I can’t obtain a death certificate. Is this true??... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Sep 14, 2022

Interesting issue. His daughter plainly has standing, and you are surely eligible to be her next friend. But, let's start simpler by approaching this through the need you have. If he has an estate, are his parents filing it? You don't need the death certificate if they get it unless... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Virginia on
Q: Hello iam the beneficary of my mother's estate and it is in the will to sell her house and to split the preceding with

My 6 siblings and one will not get out for me to sell the house in virginia. What can I do without having to go through probate

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Sep 2, 2022

Without Probate, the Will means nothing. Any of the Heirs as Tenants In Common can file a Partition action.

3 Answers | Asked in Probate for Virginia on
Q: Who gets the house if both husband and wife die without a will and it never went to probate in Virginia?

My sister and her husband are owners of a home. Both have died and their son took over the house but never put it through probate. He is now dying and doesn’t have a will. He has diminished mental capacity at this time. Since the house is still in my dead sister and brother-in-law’s names,... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Aug 31, 2022

The correct answer depends on the form of title and the order of the passing of the grantors, so you start with reading the deed and an interview. But, in a Virginia estate, the property passes outside of probate subject to being recaptured for creditors. If the son is disabled and potentially... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Virginia on
Q: My brother died he and a friend bought a house years ago and he willed everything to me how do I get my half of equity

I live in PA and the house is in VA, what would I have to do to get my half of the equity in the property

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Aug 27, 2022

The answer depends on a number of issues, but, at least theoretically, you already own the property subject to the estate’s need to sell it to pay creditors. What you need to do is determine the liquidity of the estate and the complete title to the property, and, if you share title, determine the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Virginia on
Q: When my Aunt dies, what will need to be done to give out monies/belonging left in her will?

I currently have guardianship and conservatorship over my Aunt. She is elderly and in a nursing home with hospice care. Hospice has asked me to start preparing for her funeral arrangements. She has a living will that will leave everything to myself and my brother. Is there a legal way I am supposed... View More

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Aug 4, 2022

A living will is an advance medical directive. It contains instructions for medical care if the principal becomes incapacitated.

I will assume you mean a will and I will assume that your aunt resides in Virginia, although you appear to be posting from Maryland.

Once your aunt...
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