Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Oct 10, 2023 |
When parents are no longer together, there may be valid reasons for one parent to want to change the child's name. While it is possible to change a child's name in Virginia, parents do not have free reign to do it and a court has the discretion to approve or deny a name change petition.
If both o...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Aug 17, 2023 |
Written by Ben Brasfield, a native Virginia attorney who focuses on criminal law
There's no one specific way to defend against a domestic violence charge. Each case is unique and depends upon the particular facts and circumstances of the relationship. The consequences of a conviction for domestic...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Aug 16, 2023 |
If you're facing a charge for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you have the right to a defense. However, the idea of going to court to fight a DUI charge can be intimidating, and many people wonder if it's worth the time, effort, and money.
There's no easy answer here — it depends...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Aug 09, 2023 |
Police can detain you for as long as it takes them to conduct an investigation, but every encounter with police is different and can result in a longer detention period. It's important to know your rights and how long you can be detained by the police. Keep reading to learn how long you can legal...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Aug 02, 2023 |
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a set of court-ordered financial payments made from one spouse to the other during divorce proceedings (called pendente lite spousal support) or after a divorce or both. These payments usually occur on a monthly basis and may be ordered either indefinite...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Aug 02, 2023 |
Bringing up a prenuptial agreement (generally called a premarital agreement in Virginia) to your soon-to-be spouse might feel unromantic, but in a state with the 14th highest divorce rate in the country, it should be a consideration for many couples. A Fairfax family lawyer can help you understan...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Aug 02, 2023 |
Asset division is a major part of any Virginia divorce. From real estate to investments, nearly everything owned by spouses must be divided between them.
There are two ways in which asset division may be determined during the divorce process: by a mutual agreement between the spouses, or by allow...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Jun 15, 2023 |
Settling the estate of a loved one after they pass away is complicated and emotional, even when they have a will. For families whose loved one dies without a will, the probate process and allocating their assets becomes even more complex.
Dying without a will
A will outlines how you want your as...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Jun 15, 2023 |
Virginia permits spouses to hold property in a number of ways, some of which offer additional creditor protections unique to married couples. However, regardless of how the property is titled during the lifetime of the married couple and the additional protections it may afford, how property is h...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Jun 13, 2023 |
You've worked hard to build a secure financial future. Unexpected events can put that security at risk, so it's important to have a plan in place that will help protect your assets and ensure their distribution according to your wishes. One way to do this is with a revocable trust.
A revocable tr...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Apr 10, 2023 |
When thinking of estate plans, most people think of wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, however, there are several documents that comprise a complete estate plan. There are different types of trusts and wills, and sometimes the use of one type of will, such as a living trust, will trigger the ...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Apr 05, 2023 |
Losing your job may be one of the most serious consequences that can result from an arrest, and it's often completely legal. Virginia and North Carolina are at-will employment states, meaning most employers can terminate an employee for any reason — including an arrest.
However, this doesn't nec...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Apr 05, 2023 |
Following a divorce, there are several reasons why you might need a copy of your divorce decree. For example, if you're changing your name after your divorce, you'll need to present a certified copy of the decree to the Social Security Administration and the DMV.
You might also need to provide a...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Apr 05, 2023 |
When a judge issues an order in a family law case, the parties are legally required to abide by its terms. If they fail to do so, they can be found in contempt of court.
A contempt action can be either civil or criminal, so the penalty for contempt depends on the nature and severity of the viola...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Apr 05, 2023 |
Divorce inevitably brings a lot of emotional strain. In some cases, this heightened turmoil can lead to harassment by a former spouse. Harassment can take many forms — it's important to understand what constitutes harassment in order to protect yourself.
If you believe you're being harassed by y...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Apr 05, 2023 |
Moving to a new state can be a logistical nightmare. Anything from your vehicle registration to your voter registration may be no longer valid in your new state, and it can feel like you're starting from scratch.
Fortunately, this trend might not apply to your will. When you move to a new state,...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Apr 05, 2023 |
In Virginia, a judge may issue a bench warrant to any person who's found to have violated court rules or orders, including failure to appear in court. The bench warrant authorizes law enforcement to take you into custody at any time, in any place, even if you haven't been informed that the bench ...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Apr 05, 2023 |
Before the police can arrest someone who wasn't arrested at the time of the alleged offense, they must obtain an arrest warrant. This is a legal document that authorizes a law enforcement officer to take an individual into police custody should they come into contact with them or find them.
If a...
Posted by Select Law Partners, PLLC | Apr 05, 2023 |
Having a child brings many changes to your life, including your estate planning needs. When you have a child — whether it's your first or your third — it's important to review your will and make sure that it reflects your current wishes. Your will won't automatically update if you have a child, a...