filing Bankruptcy In these tough economic times, it’s not difficult to run into serious financial problems. Without expecting it, life circumstances such as job loss or reduced pay, a health crisis, rising utility costs, property catastrophes, divorce and more can render you unable to pay your bills. Even when you’ve budgeted carefully but your income doesn’t increase, inflation alone can make paying…[...]

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IRS bank levy Bankruptcy is intended to give those who have found themselves impossibly burdened by debt a fresh start and respite from the stress of collection attempts, creditor telephone calls, some lawsuits, wage garnishments, and other creditor actions. While many debtors think bankruptcy will erase all financial obligations and save their property from foreclosure or repossession, there are certain debts that cannot…[...]

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Living Trust & Estate Planning My friends say I need a Trust, is this true? Who Needs a Trust? Many clients come in for a consult about estate planning and say they have heard that a Trust is necessary. We advise that a trust may, or may not be necessary, depending on a number of factors including the clients’ goals, family structure, including ages of…[...]

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DUI vs. DWI What’s the difference in DUI vs DWI for Virginia law? A police in Virginia pulled you over under suspicion that you were driving while intoxicated and an officer told you they were arresting you for a DUI, it was probably a traumatic, embarrassing and distressing event. But the citation said you were cited for a DWI. Wait a minute, you…[...]

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Beneficiary Designations Manassas Law Firm RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS and Beneficiary Designations Some of the costliest estate planning mistakes involve retirement accounts. Contrary to popular belief, IRAs and 401K's are not normally covered by a will. Beneficiary Designation Form Instead upon the death of the account owner, the funds pass to individuals based not upon the Will of the account holder or the laws of inheritance but…[...]

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Avoid the Probate Process Our clients often come in for a consultation with questions related to probate. They have heard that probate is something they should avoid for the sake of their loved ones. They have heard that the probate process in Virginia can be time consuming and expensive. What is probate? Probate is the legal procedure/process by which the court supervises the transfer…[...]

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Unfair Property Settlement Agreement Clients who have signed a Property Settlement Agreement, also known as a Marital Agreement or Separation Agreement, with their spouse often ask our Manassas family lawyers at MLG whether it is possible to avoid or “get out” of the Agreement. The short answer is that avoiding the obligations set out in a signed Agreement is quite difficult. Our appellate Courts…[...]

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When Does Your Will Not Control What Happens to Your Property A husband and Wife have just signed their Wills. They naturally have every expectation that the language in their Wills is controlling as to what happens to their property when they die. However, if the Will preparer has not become familiar with how the couple owns their property (how the property is titled), there could be problems the couple did…[...]

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