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Recent Blog Posts

What Happens With Custody Of Children If Both Parents Are In The Military And Deployed At Same Time?

March 14, 2025 | Shelly F. Wood | Virginia

Although the Virginia Military Parents Equal Protection Act helps define situations where a military parent is deploying, it…

Will My Ex’s Unpaid Joint Debt Hurt My Credit?

February 28, 2025 | Shelly F. Wood | Virginia

Yes, as long as your name is on the account or loan. If possible, get the debt entirely in your ex-spouse’s name. Transfer o…

Clearing a Father’s Name: Fighting False CPS Allegations

February 26, 2025 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

A quiet evening at home turned into a nightmare when a father was confronted with shocking allegations of child abuse. A Chi…

What Happens If I Don’t Have A Will?

February 20, 2025 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

In Virginia, statute controls who inherits if you don’t have a Will. If you have a spouse, and all of your children are with…

Estate Planning Options for Pet Owners

February 19, 2025 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

If you are a pet parent, you will do just about anything to keep your furry friend safe and happy. Beyond just food and a wa…

How Does Gray Divorce Affect Your Estate Planning?

February 19, 2025 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

Gray divorce refers to a divorce that happens later in life, often after the couple’s children are grown and gone. A gray di…

Am I Responsible For My Spouse’s Debt Incurred Before Our Marriage?

February 13, 2025 | Shelly F. Wood | Virginia

No. The Code of Virginia classifies property as separate, marital, or a hybrid of both. Property obtained or debt incurred p…

Using Your Estate Plan to Foster Positivity

February 12, 2025 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

Many people avoid thinking about estate planning until much later in life because contemplating one’s later years and death…

Won judgment; LLC closed. How can I collect my money?

February 10, 2025 | Brandon H. Zeigler | North Carolina, Virginia

I Won A Judgement Over A Limited Liability Business And She Shut Down. How Do I Proceed From There And Will I Ever See My Mo…

Will I Be Responsible For My Parents’ Debt After They Die?

February 5, 2025 | Jennifer Rossettini | North Carolina, Virginia

Question – “I am an only child with two parents who don’t have a lot of money and have a fair amount of debt. They don’t hav…

In A Divorce, What Counts As Desertion Or Abandonment? Are They The Same Thing?

February 1, 2025 | Shelly F. Wood | Virginia

While desertion and abandonment are usually used interchangeably in divorce cases, there is actually a distinction between t…

What is a Dynasty Trust and Why Should You Consider One?

January 24, 2025 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

Several estate planning tools can be useful for different objectives, and it can be helpful to be familiar with the various…

Have You Thought About How Your Children Will Divide Household Items?

January 22, 2025 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

Estate planning can feel like a heavy topic, but by thinking ahead for your family, you are doing them a tremendous service…

Creating a Long-Term Care Plan for a Family Member with Dementia

January 14, 2025 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

If someone you love has been diagnosed with dementia, the road ahead can feel daunting. Dementia is the progressive loss of…

Paying for a Nursing Home

November 5, 2024 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

Advances in medicine allow people to live longer, but they are not necessarily healthier. As people age, nursing home care o…

Preparing Your Beneficiaries to Receive Their Inheritance

October 29, 2024 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

Determining how you want your assets to be distributed after your death is only one step in the estate planning process. You…

Charitable Contributions – Which Option is Right For You?

October 21, 2024 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

While most people give to charitable institutions based on their belief system, many also take advantage of favorable tax ru…

What Is a Survivor’s Trust and How Does it Work?

October 8, 2024 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

Married couples often use joint trusts to shelter assets from probate or potential estate taxes while ensuring the surviving…

Understanding Taxes Related to Estate Administration

January 4, 2024 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

Clients are frequently concerned about large taxes being assessed against an inheritance that their children receive. The…

Bail and Bond in Virginia

January 4, 2024 | Jason A. Barlow | Virginia

Virginia Code Section 19.2-119 defines Bail as the pretrial release from custody upon terms specified by a judicial office…

Virginia Divorce Lawyer – Understanding The Issues Relating To Divorce

January 4, 2024 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

For any couple contemplating divorce, understanding the surrounding legal issues can be overwhelming, especially given the e…

Special Needs Planning is More than Just a Trust

August 29, 2023 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

When you discuss special needs planning, there is a lot of talk about special needs trust; however, a trust is just one too…

What is Legal Guardianship?

August 18, 2023 | Jennifer Rossettini | North Carolina, Virginia

Guardianship is a legal arrangement in which an adult is appointed to manage the affairs of another adult because they are i…

What is Considered Assault in Virginia?

August 18, 2023 | Jason A. Barlow | Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia defines assault as an overt act intended to do bodily harm to another individual with a present…

What Does Undivided Real Estate Mean?

August 17, 2023 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

Undivided real estate is the term used when two or more individuals have an interest in a property under the same title. The…

What is a Revocable Living Trust in Virginia?

August 16, 2023 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

A revocable living trust is a trust document created by an individual that has the ability to be changed over time. This typ…

What Rights do Grandparents Have in North Carolina?

August 15, 2023 | Shelly F. Wood | North Carolina

In the state of North Carolina, there are no laws that are legally defined regarding grandparent visitation rights. Neverthe…

Is Missing a Misdemeanor Court Date Serious?

August 14, 2023 | Jason A. Barlow | Virginia

Missing your court date is a very serious offense that the court does not take lightly. If you were not present at court, th…

What is Domestic Assault in Virginia?

August 11, 2023 | Jason A. Barlow | Virginia

The laws of Virginia define domestic assault as assault and battery that is committed against a member of your family or hou…

How to Pay For a Nursing Home?

August 11, 2023 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

A short stay or long-term care in a nursing home can be very expensive. Unfortunately, most private insurance policies and M…

Do You Need an Estate Plan?

August 10, 2023 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

In Virginia, an estate is considered to be all of an individual’s belongings, such as real estate assets, bank accounts, and…

What is a DUI in Virginia?

August 10, 2023 | Jason A. Barlow | Virginia

The basic legal definition of driving under the influence (DUI) in Virginia states that you are considered to be intoxicated…

What is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?

August 9, 2023 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

Both a will and a trust are excellent tools used in estate planning that can ensure that personal assets are managed accordi…

What is the Main Difference Between Speeding and Reckless Driving in Virginia?

August 8, 2023 | Jason A. Barlow | Virginia

In Virginia, speeding is considered to be a traffic infraction and, as such, does not have the potential to carry jail time…

New Virginia Laws in Effect July 1, 2023

July 1, 2023 | Jason A. Barlow | Virginia

Many new laws went into effect on July 1, 2023, here is a quick summary of a few that may impact you: Domestic: House Bi…

Estate Planning – When to Update Your Plan and Why

June 2, 2023 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

Identity Theft is Evolving Identity thieves continue to find new ways to commit fraud and their methods are becoming more di…

Know Your Rights Under The Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act

January 5, 2023 | Shelly F. Wood | Virginia

Virginia’s new Consumer Data Protection Act (“VCDPA”) was signed into law on March 2, 2021 and took effect on January 1…

What You Need to Know Now About Probation in Virginia

November 22, 2022 | Jason A. Barlow | Virginia

Have you ever considered that probation is a good thing and a sign of forward progress? Crime, in some capacity, has oc…

6 Surprising Difficulties You May Face as an Executor of a Will

November 17, 2022 | Jennifer Rossettini | North Carolina, Virginia

The legal process of probate can be very lengthy and time-consuming for an executor of a will, and there are likely mo…

11 Ways to Protect Yourself & Business from Cyberattacks

October 5, 2022 | Brandon H. Zeigler | North Carolina, Virginia

11 Actions You Can Take During Cybersecurity Awareness Month to Protect Yourself and Your Business from Cyberattacks Cybe…

$8 Million Dollar Settlement Reached with Wawa after 2019 Data Breach

August 11, 2022 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina, Virginia

In late July, it was announced that an $8 million settlement was reached with Wawa, Inc. as a result of a 2019 data breach…

7 Questions about Child Support Answered

August 11, 2022 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

At the very root of child support legislation lies the fundamental right for a child to be supported by both of their pare…

Why Everyone Needs an Estate Plan and Why It Probably Should Involve a Trust

August 10, 2022 | Jennifer Rossettini | North Carolina

We all know that you can’t take it with you, but too many people have not taken the time to properly consider an appropria…

Estate Planning 101

June 2, 2022 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

“… in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” – Benjamin Franklin. Estate Planning. Mayb…

Primary And Secondary Traffic Violations

July 29, 2021 | Jason A. Barlow | Virginia

A special session of the Virginia legislature resulted in the passage of laws impacting when the police can pull over drive…

The Largest Bank in Virginia, Capital One, Fined $80 Million – Why You Should Care

August 24, 2020 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina

Capital One Data Security Breach Why the Largest Bank in Virginia Was Just Fined $80 Million and Why You Should Car…

COVIDWISE – The New COVID-19 App in Virginia

August 6, 2020 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina, Virginia

COVIDWISE – The New COVID-19 App Launching in Virginia; What is It and is It Safe? On August 5, 2020, Virginia…

Is It Legal For Me To Leave My Child Home Alone?

August 3, 2020 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

Help! COVID-19 has shut down my child’s daycare. Is it legal for me to leave my child home alone? As we all try…

Getting Started On Your Will And Where To Keep Your Will

June 17, 2020 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

Getting Started on Your Will In order to assist you with your estate planning, your estate planni…

Virginia law mandates reporting all hit-and-run crashes.

March 17, 2020 | Jason A. Barlow | Virginia

Virginia’s Hit-And-Run Requires You To Report All Vehicle Crashes Involving Damage To Property, Injury To Person, Or Both. C…

The Differences Between Violent & Non-Violent Theft In Virginia

February 4, 2020 | Jason A. Barlow | Virginia

Violent Theft Crimes vs. Non-violent Theft Crimes The difference between violent theft crimes and non-violent t…

What Is “The Internet Of Things?”

January 28, 2020 | Kellam T. Parks | Virginia

More Connection, More Vulnerability You may have seen the term “internet of things” showing up in various blogs or…

Our Experienced Virginia Family Law Attorney Explains The Discovery Process

January 7, 2020 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

What Is The Discovery Process? When a lawsuit is filed, it begins a procedure of steps leading up to the trial, provid…

Legal Separation Vs. Divorce: Know the Key Differences

December 31, 2019 | Andrew T. Shilling | North Carolina, Virginia

Legal Separation & Divorce Are Not the Same Thing, and Knowing the Difference is Important if You’re Planning to Divorce…

Can I Sue My Spouse For Adultery?

December 20, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

The short answer to this question is yes. However, there are some things you should consider before making the decision to…

Our Experienced Virginia Divorce Attorney Offers Tips On Reducing Divorce-Related Stress

November 20, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

Reducing the Stress of Divorce Going through a divorce is one of the most stressful events a person can experience. In o…

Viginia attorney explains Veterans Small Business Act benefits

November 15, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | North Carolina, Virginia

Our Virginia Small Business Attorney Discusses The Veterans Small Business Act That Aims To Assist Veteran Entrepreneurs…

Estate size doesn’t matter — VA attorneys ensure security.

November 4, 2019 | Jennifer Rossettini | Virginia

The Size Of Your Estate Doesn’t Matter – Our Experienced Virginia Attorneys Can Provide Security For You & Your Family…

Our Experienced Virginia Attorneys Offer Three Helpful Tips To Maintain Cybersecurity

October 28, 2019 | Kellam T. Parks | Virginia

As Cybersecurity Awareness Month comes to an end, we want to emphasize three important points that you should remember movi…

To Maintain Your Cybersecurity, Don’t Neglect Your Software Updates.

October 21, 2019 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and we’re focusing on ways to keep your digital lives secure. Our first topic focu…

Our Virginia Attorney Discuses The Potential Risks That Come With Using A Voice Assistant

October 14, 2019 | Kellam T. Parks | Virginia

Many people love their voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. They are an easy way to find nearby services, learn informati…

Our Experienced Virginia Attorney Discusses What Happens to Credit Card Debt After You Die

September 23, 2019 | Shelly F. Wood | Virginia

What Happens to Your Credit Card Debt When You Die? Recently we answered a question in our weekly Ask an Attorney that aske…

Lateral Phishing – Malevolent Emails From Trusted Accounts

September 17, 2019 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina, Virginia

There has been a lot of attention on the dangers and frequency of phishing attacks and the threat they pose for small busine…

Are You Considering Your Digital Assets in the Estate Planning Process?

September 9, 2019 | Jennifer Rossettini | North Carolina, Virginia

More and more of our lives are being stored in digital spaces, and while digital natives may be relatively comfortable wit…

Learn How Your Divorce Settlement May Impact Your Estate Plan

September 4, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

Divorce and Your Estate Plan When going through a divorce, it is vital to know how it will affect your estate planning d…

Tips On How To Spot & Avoid Fake Websites And Protect Your Cybersecurity

September 2, 2019 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina

Fake Websites One way that hackers access sensitive information is through the creation of fake websites. Creating websi…

Which Type Of Business Loan Is Best For Your Small Business?

August 22, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | North Carolina

Business Loans and Your Small Business Needs Starting and maintaining a small business requires access to capital, and b…

Is Sharing On Social Media Dangerous? Not Necessarily, But Always Think Twice Before Posting.

August 16, 2019 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina, Virginia

The attention we give to the security of our online lives mainly focuses on protecting “sensitive information.” We pay atte…

Increased Push To Use Alternative Credit Data Presents New Risks And New Opportunities

August 12, 2019 | Kellam T. Parks | Virginia

There have been recent efforts by the major three credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (“CRAs”) to…

Chesapeake Introduces New Hope Cards To Assist Abuse Victims

August 6, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

The Chesapeake courts have started offering Hope Cards, a new way for domestic abuse victims with protective orders to prot…

LLC Vs Sole Proprietorship – Which One is Best for Your Virginia Small Business?

July 29, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | North Carolina, Virginia

When it comes to starting a small business, the two structures most frequently chosen are a Limited Liability Company, com…

Five Common Estate Planning Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

July 22, 2019 | Jennifer Rossettini | North Carolina, Virginia

The Importance of an Estate Plan Ensuring that your estate is in order and that the transfer of assets goes according to…

How Often Should I Update My Passwords?

July 8, 2019 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina, Virginia

Changing Your Passwords Too Often May Put You At Greater Risk When trying to understand how to best create strong p…

Updating Your Will Is As Important As Writing One, Here’s Why

June 21, 2019 | Jennifer Rossettini | North Carolina, Virginia

Ensure Your Will Is Up To Date Everyone should have a Will, but it is equally important to adjust your Will to keep…

What Questions Should You Ask When Meeting With Your Virginia Divorce Lawyer?

June 20, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

What questions should you ask your Virginia lawyer? The decision to meet with an attorney to discuss a separation c…

Most Of Us Don’t Read Those Long-Form User Agreements. What Are We Agreeing To When We Accept?

June 17, 2019 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina, Virginia

The Importance of Reading Terms & Conditions Do you read the long-form “Terms and Conditions” that many web-bas…

Starting A Small Business As A College Student Has Its Advantages

June 4, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

Benefits of Starting Your Small Business in College They say that youth is wasted on the young, but that is not tru…

Is Divorce A Possibility? If So, Meet With One Of Our Family Law Attorneys

May 31, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

Is Divorce A Possibility? If So, Meeting With One Of Our Family Law Attorneys In Virginia Before Making A Decision…

Navigating Summer Camps & Co-Parenting

May 1, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

Three Questions For Co-Parents Picking Summer Camp – Experienced Virginia Family Law Attorney Says You Should Ask When Sel…

Work & Divorce In Virginia – Managing Your Professional Obligations And Personal Stress During Divorce

April 25, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

The Distraction of Divorce When you’re going through a divorce, it can become an all-consuming presence during your…

What Are Your Options If Your Spouse Is Unwilling To Grant A Divorce?

April 16, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | North Carolina, Virginia

Divorce is an extremely difficult and emotionally trying process with two spouses who both agree on the separation, but it…

Virginia Attorney Explains How The Truth In Lending Act Protects Your Small Business From Fraud

April 9, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

Small Business Is Not Immune From Fraud The news is full of stories of small businesses and individuals harmed by online…

Be Aware Of These 3 Social Media Pitfalls

March 27, 2019 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina, Virginia

Social Media Pitfalls When we’ve discussed the potential legal pitfalls of social media, we have emphasized the pra…

Our Experienced Virginia Divorce Attorney Answers A Question About Spousal Support Termination In Virginia

March 12, 2019 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

When Can Spousal Support Be Terminated? I recently had a client ask this question as she was advised by her previous att…

Four Steps That Will Help You Hire The Right Tax Preparer In Virginia

March 8, 2019 | Shelly F. Wood | North Carolina, Virginia

Finding The Right Tax Preparer It’s tax time, and before hiring someone to do your taxes, it’s wise to do some rese…

Be Sure To Bring These Documents When Applying For A Small Business Loan

December 14, 2018 | Brandon H. Zeigler | North Carolina, Virginia

Small Business Loans When starting a small business, access to capital is necessary to get things off the ground. W…

Four Ways To Avoid Smartphone Wars In A Joint Legal Custody Battle

December 4, 2018 | Brandon H. Zeigler | North Carolina, Virginia

Our Lives On Smartphones Smartphones play an important role in our lives, and for families, they offer a lot of a…

Vishing And The Alarming Statistics Of Mobile Scam Calls

October 18, 2018 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina, Virginia

Scams Are Everywhere It seems like two weeks can’t pass without hearing about new techniques scammers are using to…

What Is Synthetic Identity Theft?

September 12, 2018 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina, Virginia

Identity Theft Is Evolving Identity thieves continue to find new ways to commit fraud and their methods are becoming mor…

The Growing Issue Of Student Loan Debt Can Weigh Heavily On New Marriages

September 5, 2018 | Brandon H. Zeigler | North Carolina, Virginia

Marriage and Money While it isn’t the most romantic discussion, debt is an important topic that needs to be addressed in…

Make Sure Your Home Wifi Network is Secure

August 14, 2018 | Kellam T. Parks | Virginia

If Your Home Wifi Network Isn’t Secure, What Can You Do To Make Sure It is? Home WiFi Security These days it is n…

Small Business Owners, Do You Know About Business Identity Theft?

June 27, 2018 | Brandon H. Zeigler | North Carolina, Virginia

What Is Business Identity Theft? The stories on business identity theft are often focused on cybersecurity vulnerability…

What Is Typosquatting? Hackers Find A Way To Capitalize On Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making.

May 3, 2018 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina, Virginia

Typos Can Be a Big Mistake During the course of our day, it is not surprising that we might make typos when doing work o…

A New Proposal Attempts To Even The Playing Field Between Spousal Support Payors And Payees In Virginia

May 1, 2018 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

Spousal Support Changes The future may hold some relief for spousal support payors. Last year Sen. Emmett Hanger of Augu…

Important Points to Remember About Gray Divorces and Virginia Divorce Laws

April 6, 2018 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

Over the past two decades, overall divorce rates have remained stable (some demographics have even seen a decrease), but “…

What Is The Legal Definition Of A Parent Under Virginia Law?

March 27, 2018 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

Parental Rights in a Same-Sex Relationship Attorney Brandon Zeigler at Parks Zeigler recently won a victory for par…

What Is “Porting?” A New Way For Thieves To Commit Identity Theft And Circumvent Two-Factor Authentication.

March 14, 2018 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina, Virginia

What Is Porting? Porting allows you to transfer your current mobile number over to a new carrier. It’s helpful because i…

Tax Reform Brings Changes For Spousal Support In Virginia

March 8, 2018 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

Replacement Tax Law Congress passed sweeping tax reform legislation and it was signed into law by President Trump on Dec…

Tech Support Scams Are A Legitimate Threat To Your Cybersecurity

January 31, 2018 | Kellam T. Parks | North Carolina, Virginia

Tech Support Scams & Cybersecurity Recently, a member of our marketing team was dealing with Microsoft customer supp…

How personal and business credit affect your small business

November 20, 2017 | Brandon H. Zeigler | Virginia

Personal Credit And Business Credit Can Impact One Another, And It’s Important To Understand How For Your Small Business…