You’ve just been pulled over by a police officer, and in addition to dealing with your elevated blood pressure and sweaty palms, you're asking yourself, “How best can I protect myself legally from a potential violation?” Partners at Friedman, Grimes, Meinken & Leischner PLLC, share what to ...
In cases of domestic violence, magistrates often place as a condition of bond that the alleged aggressor is not allowed to have any form of contact with the alleged victim. Partners at Friedman, Grimes, Meinken & Leischner PLLC explain what that means for ind...
If you’re running into conflict with your spouse, locking him or her out of the house may seem like an easy way to resolve the situation. However, as family law attorney Jessica Leischner explains — by locking out a spous...
You’ve probably heard that Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin got married… which is big news on its own. But another detail arose that surprised fans and created a large buzz in the media. The celebrity couple . This shocked many Bieber fans, some of whom fe...
The recent legalization of recreational marijuana use in Virginia has raised more questions than answers, especially when it comes to civil cases like child custody proceedings. With so many legal uncertainties surrounding the new law, many are left asking “H...
Virginia is now the first southern state to legalize recreational marijuana use, as of summer, 2021. In short, the new law legalizes pot, but it comes with some serious caveats. Partners at Friedman, Grimes, Meinken & Leischner PLLC explain the “do’s” and “don’ts” of navigating marijuan...
Firearm legislation differs between states, making it difficult for people to understand what’s legal and what’s not. It is important to be aware of the state laws where you reside, work and visit. Attorneys at Grimes, Friedman, Meinken & Leischner PLLC explain gun laws in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Is There a...
Move over blockbuster breakups — there’s a new (or not-so-new) couple calling it quits. Iconic actor Hugh Jackman, known for his portrayal of Wolverine, is now navigating the world of gray divorce with his wife of 27 years, Deborra-Lee Furness...
Building flexibility into your estate plan allows you to adapt to changing circumstances, evolving tax laws, and new family situations. You can achieve that flexibility by providing your trustee with the ability to decant your trust. “Decanting” Defined ...
Creating and adhering to an estate plan is no simple task. Generally, the end goal of estate planning is to divide up and transfer assets to loved ones at minimal or zero tax cost. Of course, a will is a good starting point, but it may be supplemented by various other estate planning techniques, includ...
A will or revocable trust may form the core of your estate plan, but for many people, a substantial amount of wealth bypasses these traditional estate planning tools and is transferred to their loved ones through beneficiary designations. These “nonprobate assets” may include IRAs and certain emplo...
While much of your estate plan focuses on actions that take place after death, it’s equally important to have a plan for making critical financial or medical decisions if you’re unable to make them for yourself during your lifetime. This is why including a power of attorney in your estate plan is a...
Typically, an estate plan includes accommodations for your spouse, children, grandchildren and even future generations. But some members of the family can be overlooked, such as your parents or in-laws. Yet the older generation may also need your financial assistance. ...
When creating or revising your estate plan, it’s important to take into account all of your loved ones. Because each family has its own unique set of circumstances, there are a variety of trusts and other vehicles available to specifically address most families’ estate planning objectives. ...
Owners of closely held businesses typically have a significant portion of their wealth tied up in their enterprises. If you own a closely held business with your relatives involved, and don’t take the proper estate planning steps to ensure that it lives on after you’re gone, you may be placing your...
