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I assist clients with legal problems in the areas of bankruptcy, divorce, wills and trusts, and probate or estate administration. I am an experienced trial lawyer and have been a member of the Virginia State Bar since 1987. While I am glad to help clients settle their legal matters expeditiously and at the lowest costs to their satisfaction, I welcome the opportunity to litigate contested matters when settlement is not an acceptable option. I particularly enjoy the interplay between different practice areas, and have helped clients with both marital or divorce problems and financial problems such as bankruptcy, or family problems and probate or estate administration needs. I was graduated from the University of Virginia in 1984 with a B.A., and from the University of Richmond School of Law in 1987 with a J.D.
I am happily married with two sons at home. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, reading, chess, and sailing.
- Bankruptcy
- Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
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Free Consultation
Free initial half hour consultation. - Credit Cards Accepted
- Virginia
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- English: Spoken, Written
- University of Richmond School of Law
- J.D
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- University of Virginia
- B.A | Foreign Affairs
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- Virginia State Bar
- Member
- Current
- Activities: Bankruptcy Law, Family Law and Trusts & Estates Sections
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- Henrico County Bar Association
- Member
- Current
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- Richmond Bar Association
- Member
- Current
- Activities: Bankruptcy Law Section
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- Q. My husband and I were together but not married when we bought our home in 2010. Now married, am I entitled to equity?
- A: Equitable distribution is a 3 step process in Virginia. First, the judge classifies all property as marital, separate, or hybrid - a mix of marital and separate. The judge also classifies debt as marital or separate. Second, the judge gives a valuation to all items of marital and hybrid property. Third, the judge performs an equitable distribution of property and allocation of debt.
Title does not control the classification of property, although it may create presumptions. A presumption affects the burden of proof, who must prove something to overcome the presumption.
Property that was originally separate may become marital or hybrid through transmutation. If a property is originally ... Read More
- Q. If the judge says he's not going to hear a case for modification only the case for contempt then makes a ruling on both
- A: Judges have a great deal of discretion in how they run their courtroom. Some judges even change their minds during the course of a proceeding. If a litigant does not like how a judge rules in a particular case, the litigant can either object with reasons to create a record for appeal, if the order is interlocutory or nonappealable at the time, or appeal to a higher court. Trial work is an art, not a science, and the best trial lawyers try to persuade the judge to their clients' position. The best trial lawyers are rather likable. Openly opposing the judge, appearing antagonistic or disrespectful in arguments, and/or complaining about how he or she runs his or her courtroom is a surefire ... Read More
- Q. I owned my before marriage. Is my spouse entitled to any equity accrued to the home. I reside in Virginia
- A: If the spouses are unable to agree on the division of marital property, a judge sitting in equitable distribution incident to a divorce can divide marital property and allocate marital debt. The first step for the judge is to classify all property as separate, marital, or hybrid - a combination of separate and marital. Property acquired during the marriage is presumed to be marital property. Property acquired before the marriage in the name of only one spouse, and property acquired during the marriage by gift or inheritance, is presumed to be separate property, provided the spouse did not transmute it, or a portion of it, into marital property through marital or family use.
With real property, ... Read More
- White v. Llewellyn
- Supreme Court of Virginia
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