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Virginia Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: My brother dad wants to buy a house for my brother but has a civil judgement against him. Can house be taken

He has already been pre qualified and both will be on the deed but only my dad will be on the mortgage

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Aug 14, 2022

You need to consult counsel before anyone signs an offer on a home. Depending on the circumstances, it might be possible to contribute funds to the purchase, but I don't know what "brother dad" means; I can't determine from your question who is on the deed and who is on the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Is a verbal commitment legal in the courts.

My parents told me they wanted to leave me their house when they both past away. I sold my house and moved in with them. One year later my father pasted away and not even 2 months later my mom said that she wasn't going to leave me the house because she had 3 other kids to think about. Is this... View More

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Aug 14, 2022

Almost all contracts are verbal, either oral (spoken) or written. A last will and testament requires certain formalities, as does a revocable or irrevocable trust. Both must be in writing and signed. In spite of the absence of a written will, trust, or contract, in some instances a court can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Divorce, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Can my spouse evict my family from while I'm away on deployment?

I currently have my brother and his family residing at my home in preparation for me to leave on deployment since my spouse refuse to take care of the house. My brother is the POA for me while I'm away, however do I need to have additional documents saying I allowed them to live there.... View More

Thomas H. Roberts
Thomas H. Roberts
answered on Aug 8, 2022

You should provide to him a document expressly authorizing him to stay in your house to care for the same.

Here's some old Virginia law: "One joint tenant, co-parcener, or tenant in common, although he has a right to the possession of the whole against strangers, cannot make a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: House deed is in ex wife and my name but the loan is only me, do I need her to get a home equity loan?

The divorce settlement states that she gets the house only once she can obtain a loan. So can I refinance the loan in any way before she takes it over in order to get some money out of the house? Or will I need her to sign anything?

Shafeek Seddiq
Shafeek Seddiq
answered on Jul 31, 2022

See a real estate lawyer, show the PSA and title and loan documents. Then, the lawyer can outline your options and how to proceed.

Not a legal advice nor any attorney-client relationship.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Am I obligated to give my girlfriend 50% equity in the home but it is in my name only after we break up

She has been writing rent on her checks and not mortgage.

Shafeek Seddiq
Shafeek Seddiq
answered on Jul 31, 2022

You need to see a lawyer who will learn more about the arrangements and understanding between you and your girlfriend, then advice, counsel and provide options. Or, it could be as simple as a memo on the check "for rent only".

Not a legal advice nor a an attorney-client...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Environmental and Land Use & Zoning for Virginia on
Q: Bought a 5 bed 3 bath home a yr ago and found out now that it has a 2 persons max 1 bed perk

I bought my listed 5 bed 3 bath home in Jan 2021 . Everything has been great but had a plumbing issue and found after septic people came out and plumber that it has a 2 person max occupancy. It was never disclosed to me . Only reason it has come to light now is that we had the issue of water... View More

Shafeek Seddiq
Shafeek Seddiq
answered on Jul 31, 2022

I am sorry to hear what you just learned and the possible consequences. You might have a recourse against the seller, the seller's agent, your agent, or ask the title insurance underwriter for help. But, without a lawyer reviewing all the relevant documents who can then provide proper advice,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: How can I get a trust accounting if the trustee refuses to communicate with me (a beneficiary)?
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 Jul 15, 2022

Hire a VA attorney to file an Action for an Accounting.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Rental property in Virginia that needs to be fixed but renter is not ready to pay.

Hi i have a rental property in Virginia. The tenant has moved out after the lease completed. They did not do a wakthru. There is mold and appliances have been abused. the repairs are more than the deposit amount. they are refusing to pay. what are my options.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on May 23, 2022

You can ask politely and be ignored; or you can document the evidence, send a demand letter, and sue.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Virginia on
Q: My spouse&I live in a house owned by my dad. I will inherit when he passes. Would it become a marital asset in divorce?
James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on May 5, 2022

Property that is acquired by gift or inheritance during a marriage in Virginia starts as separate property in equitable distribution. This is an exception to the general rule that property acquired during the marriage and before the last date of separation is presumed to be marital property, no... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: currently unmarried and have a VA home loan/title solely in my name.What is best way to have spouse Added once married?

Is it possible to just have spouse added to va loan once married or are the only options: refinancing and adding them, doing a gift deed or quite deed? Mostly curious about having then added to the deed and not necessarily on the mortgage

Ross Cameron Hart
Ross Cameron Hart
answered on Apr 26, 2022

My first thought is "WHY?" Why would you want your (new) spouse to become legally responsible for a loan that you, individually, qualified for. You don't need to.

As for adding your (new) spouse to the title to the property, it's fairly easy and any real estate lawyer...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Land Use & Zoning for Virginia on
Q: Neighbor next door has us constantly moving our vehicle to access water shut off in middle of our driveway.

Shouldn’t they have a shut off valve on their property? Since the property was recently sold or in process of shouldn’t this be remedied? Easement in question.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Apr 21, 2022

The only way to get a competent answer to this is to review the deeds and the survey. If I assume that the water cut off is in the utility easement, then the utility has the permanent right to access that cut-off on your property within their easement as often as needed. The cost of changing that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Can a person advertise property for sale that doesn't belong to them if they don't have permission from the owner?

My sister-in-law advertised my husband's land for sale without his knowledge or permission on a Facebook Online Yard Sale with her name and contact info. She is not a real estate agent, and has never held a real estate license and has no ownership interest in the property. She also told a man... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Apr 11, 2022

You are going to need a WV lawyer, and I am only licensed in Virginia as well as DC and Maryland. Nevertheless, you can't sue for damages unless you are damaged, but your husband can give her a proper notice to stay off the land if he owns it and she does not. As to unlicensed advertising of... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: A 14 acre deed from grandparents, inherited by 9 brothers/sisters, 3 are alive. We are entitled to 1.5 acre. No will.

Or declaration of heirs. 24 houses have been constructed and no one wants to pay Crim, up to $30k owe.

How do I begin this journey to obtain what is mine?

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Apr 7, 2022

Property generally does not descend as you are anticipating. There is generally no right to a specific 1.5 acres or $30,000. What you have — assuming you are a common co-tenant of the whole by descent— is the right to partition or to sell in lieu of partition. That requires a settlement or a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: What is the definition of lease term?

After proper notification of termination of Virginia Association of Realtors Property Management Agreement, can prior property manager continue to collect management fees after new lease agreement is made with tenant by new property manager.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Apr 5, 2022

It depends on what the contracts you signed said. Either read them yourself or retain counsel to help you understand them. It's not a bad idea to read them before you sign them, too.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Ez-fiancee name on mortgage loan (as well as mine) but the deed is in my name only.

I have kept payments current in the mortgage for 3.5 yrs but would like to re-finance it in my name only. Do I have to get permission from him to do this? A bank is telling me he has to sign a form

Ross Cameron Hart
Ross Cameron Hart
answered on Apr 4, 2022

I start with the general principle that banks are stupid, and the bigger the bank the stupider they are.

To clarify: When you bought the property the seller delivered a deed which lists ONLY you as the grantee (buyer). To finance the purchase both you and your then fiancee was on the loan...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: short term 6 month lease was broken by tenant. deposit returned, had to pay broker fee to recruit new tenant. lawsuit

short term lease six month. Renter purchased a home 4 month later. Security deposit returned. I had to pay $,3000.00 broker fee to recruit new tenant. Now she has filed a lawsuit . Looking guidance

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Mar 29, 2022

Your description is not sufficiently clear. The tenant broke the lease. Nevertheless, you chose to return the full deposit without deducting for the rent or brokerage damages. Now, the tenant is suing you? Regardless of whether I understood you, you need a lawyer to review the facts. Perhaps it is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Virginia on
Q: Exemption code and title of deed transfer when selling to family so that you are not charged taxes

I sold a house to family and trying to change the deed from my name to theirs. I was told by the record's office that a General Warranty Deed would charge me taxes and that I needed to add an exemption code and use the correct title.

Shafeek Seddiq
Shafeek Seddiq
answered on Mar 25, 2022

I recommend you go see a real estate lawyer near you to explain how this can be done.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: Should Dad's house be included in his will or should it be listed separately?
Shafeek Seddiq
Shafeek Seddiq
answered on Mar 21, 2022

It depends on what your dad wants. What does separately mean? I would recommend your dad reaches out to an estate planning lawyer and explain what he wants. Then, the lawyer can tell him what estate documents he needs.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Collections and Probate for Virginia on
Q: When a resident of Chesterfield , VA dies, never married or had any children, are medical bills automatically wiped off?

The decedent passed away in 2021 and we were told that the medical bills had to be paid off regardless of the passing away.

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Mar 15, 2022

Yes, the bills have to be paid ... but not by you. The creditors may file a probate estate for the decedent and/or file a claim in an existing estate, and they may get paid from the estate assets. Far more rarely, if the medical treatment was "necessary," which medical treatment is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: My condo has deemed window guards (metal) a violation they were installed many years before I bought 20 years ago.

bought condo in 2002 window guards looked old then and are set in the brick like it is an original feature. I have never heard a word until 2 weeks before my closing of selling my condo. There are several other windows with metal bars including storage rooms owned by the condo. Should I be... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Mar 14, 2022

There is no way to answer your question other than to review all the documents. I can, however, note that, like the First Amendment, the prohibition on ex post facto laws binds the federal government, not your condo board.

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