(757) 552-6055If you get hurt on the job or develop an occupational illness, you may be entitled to benefits through the Virginia Workers’ Compensation system. With a workers’ comp claim, you can obtain medical benefits to treat your illness or injury as well as financial compensation for your lost wages. When a worker dies as a […]
Law Blog
IRS Audit Reconsideration
There are few things that are more anxiety-inducing than getting an audit letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An audit can be incredibly scary, particularly if the IRS determines that you owe the government money. Fortunately, there is a way to challenge the IRS’ findings by requesting an IRS audit reconsideration. Through an audit […]
Contesting a Will in Virginia
When someone dies in Virginia, they often leave behind certain personal and financial issues that need to be settled. Many of the appropriate directives can be found in that person’s last Will and Testament, known more informally as a will. A will is supposed to facilitate the smooth and efficient settlement of an estate, but […]
Estate Planning for Virginia Empty Nesters and Snowbirds
Summertime represents an important planning time for two categories of individuals, “Empty Nesters” and “Snowbirds.” By “Empty Nester” I am not merely referencing parents whose children have all left home for college or other reason, but rather any parent who has an adult child that is leaving home for an extended period of time. I […]
An Estate Planner’s View of the New Tax Law Changes
At the end of 2017 Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”), which was signed into law by President Trump on December 22, 2017. This new law represents the most significant change to the U.S. Tax Code in three decades. This change necessitates a review of many taxes to which you may […]
Importance of a Will
A Last Will and Testament (“Will”) generally “speaks at death” for the distribution of what an individual owns at the time of death. It is a signed, written document in which an adult directs distribution of his or her property to designated beneficiaries. Typically, a Will directs the distribution of tangible personal property (such as jewelry, […]
Requirements of Making a Will in Virginia
Virginia Will requirements are very straight-forward: you must be 18 years of age and of sound mind. The age requirement is self-explanatory. But what does “of sound mind” mean? This refers to one’s mental competence at the time the Will is signed. Having mental competence is an essential factor in ensuring your Will is legally […]
How Often Should My Estate Plan be Reviewed in Virginia?
Although there are no set rules or requirements about when to review your estate plan, it is important to understand that estate planning is a lifelong process. Poole Brooke Plumlee PC offers the following recommendations: You should review your estate plan immediately after a major life event, such as marriage, divorce, re-marriage when you have […]
What Are the Duties of a Trustee?
A Trustee is the legal name for a person or entity designated in a Will or trust document to hold legal title to the trust property and to administer it for the benefit of the trust beneficiaries according to the specified purposes of the document. In revocable trust documents, it is customary for the person […]
Planning for a Child Who is Disabled or has other Special Needs
Many individuals who are disabled, whether born with a disability or disabled at some point during their lifetime, will apply for and be deemed eligible to receive certain government benefits. Such benefits may include Social Security Disability Income (S.S.D.I.), Supplemental Social Security Income (S.S.I.), Medicare and Medicaid. Some of these benefits are paid to the […]
