How to Retitle a Deceased Parent's Car in Virginia
How to Retitle a Deceased Parent's Car in Virginia Short answer: The exact steps depend on how the vehicle is titled (sole owner, joint owner, or with a transfer-on-death beneficiary), whether there is a will, and whether the estate goes through probate. Generally you will need the original title (or apply for a duplicate), a […]
Read article →What to Do if an Estate Administrator Withholds Documents in Virginia
Your rights when an estate administrator withholds documents in Virginia Detailed Answer If you are a beneficiary, heir at law, or other interested party in a Virginia estate, you have legal rights to information about estate assets and administration. The person appointed by the circuit court to manage the estate (often called the personal representative, […]
Read article →Virginia: How to Enforce a Will’s Instruction to Sell a Decedent’s Home
Enforcing a Will’s Instruction to Sell a Deceased Spouse’s House in Virginia — FAQ This FAQ explains the practical steps a personal representative or beneficiary can take when a decedent’s will directs the sale of real property but the surviving spouse resists. It summarizes how Virginia probate and civil processes commonly handle these disputes and […]
Read article →Virginia — Recovering a Cash Bequest When an Executor Refuses to Cooperate
How to Recover a Cash Bequest When an Executor in Virginia Refuses to Cooperate Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Virginia attorney for advice about your specific situation. Detailed answer — practical steps under Virginia law If a deceased sibling’s will leaves you a […]
Read article →How to File a Notice to Creditors in Virginia: Step-by-Step Guide
Filing a Notice to Creditors in Virginia: What to Expect and How to Do It Short answer: A Notice to Creditors is the formal step a personal representative (executor or administrator) uses to alert unknown creditors that an estate is open and to set a deadline for presenting claims. In Virginia you typically must (1) […]
Read article →Virginia: How to Be Appointed Executor When the Named Person Refuses to Serve
Can I become the estate’s personal representative if the person named in the will refuses to serve? Clear, practical steps for someone in Virginia who wants to be appointed when the first-named executor declines Detailed Answer When a testator (your parent) names someone as executor in a will but that person refuses to serve, Virginia […]
Read article →Inherited House, Probate, and Mortgage Payments in Virginia: Can You Avoid Foreclosure?
Inherited Real Estate, Probate, and Mortgage Payments in Virginia: What You Need to Know Short answer: A house you inherit may not be part of the probate estate in Virginia if it passed to you automatically by operation of law or by a written beneficiary mechanism (for example, joint tenancy with right of survivorship, a […]
Read article →Virginia: Can I challenge my sibling’s use of a deceased parent’s bank account before they’re appointed administrator?
Can you stop a sibling from using a deceased parent's bank account for mortgage payments before appointment as administrator? (Virginia) Short answer: Possibly — but the correct path depends on who legally controls the account (sole, joint, or POD), what the bank allows, and whether funds are estate assets. In Virginia you can ask the […]
Read article →Virginia: Enforcing or Disputing an Oral Agreement on Dividing Wrongful Death Proceeds
Detailed Answer Short overview: In Virginia, money recovered for a wrongful death claim is property of the decedent’s estate and is controlled by the decedent’s personal representative (executor or administrator) until it is properly distributed. An oral agreement among beneficiaries about how to split those proceeds can sometimes be enforced, but enforcing or disputing such […]
Read article →How to Apply to Serve as an Estate Administrator in Virginia
Serving as Administrator of an Intestate Estate in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Virginia attorney or the local circuit court clerk to discuss your specific situation. Detailed Answer — How to apply to serve as administrator in Virginia If a […]
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