Wakefield Law Blog

As a parent of a young child, you know that your number one priority is your child’s safety and security. On a daily basis, you enact this priority a hundred different ways: from checking the car seat, to cutting up their food, to putting child locks on all the cabinet doors. All of these small acts of love are done to safeguard your young child from any possible danger.

The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing on. We are a little more than nine months into this thing, and there is no clear sign of an end ahead. I don’t write this to be a downer -- but rather to take honest stock of what is going on in the lives of those in my community.

If you have recently been named an executor or administrator in a loved one’s Virginia probate administration, you are probably wondering, “how long will probate take?” You may have heard that the probate process can be long and fairly costly. In fact, there is a lot of variation in how the probate process works.

The transfer of “stuff” from the deceased to his or her loved ones can cause the most conflict because the value of the property is often more sentimental than financial.

Despite the out-of-control feeling many of us parents may have this Fall, it is important that we approach this new school year with positivity and with a clear intention for what lies ahead. That’s why I want to invite you to create your very own New School Year Resolution.

A lot of parents don’t realize that, once their kid turns 18, they may not be legally entitled to their child’s medical information. Without express documentation, parents could be kicked out of the hospital room, excluded from treatment decisions, and left out of the loop when their kids need them most.

As you begin thinking about your estate plan, take some time to shop around and find the right attorney for you. While price may be a factor, finding an attorney whose process and philosophy aligns with your goals is essential. Estate planning doesn’t need to be a painful process. In fact, it can be a gratifying, rewarding experience if you choose well.

In the past, pets were not formally included in an estate plan. When a pet owner passed, the pet would either be taken in by a family member or put up for adoption.

Just like our family and friends, it is important to create a plan that ensures that our beloved pets will be cared for in the future.

This year, the “going away to college” thing looks a little different. However, your teen is growing up, starting their own life, and pursuing their dreams. Sooner or later, it will likely lead them away from the home.

You know what’s rarely talked about? What comes after you create your estate plan? How do you actually fund your trust once you’ve created it?

When many people think about “estate planning,” they think about it in terms of age. Estate planning is often associated with retirement, prolonged illness, or preparing for passing. For that reason, it’s not something that is talked about often outside of post-retirement communities. However, estate planning is crucial no matter where you are in your life.