Categories
Downgrading of Minor Traffic Offenses in Virginia
In a special legislative session in late 2020 the Virginia Assembly passed a series of laws that will make it so that a police officer will not be able to stop a vehicle for certain minor traffic violations. These new laws will become effective on March 1, 2021....
Virginia Bans No-Knock Warrants
In late 2020, the Virginia Governor signed into law a bill that prohibited the use of no-knock warrants. This law came into being after Breonna Taylor was tragically shot and killed by an officer who entered her home without first announcing that he was...
So, You Want to Open a Marijuana Dispensary in Virginia?
By 1930 most states had criminalized the possession of marijuana. In 1970 the federal government outlawed all cannabis use. Nearly 100 years later, in 2020, the Virginia Assembly essentially decriminalized the personal use of marijuana by reducing the penalty to a...
Virginia’s New Gun Control Laws
Virginia passed several new gun control laws in 2020. Some of those laws include: Virginia Code section 18.2-308.2:5 was amended to add the requirement of a background check on all firearm sales. Virginia Code section 19.2-152.14 created an Emergency Substantial Risk...
Distracted Driving and Cell Phones
The year 2020 shocked our nation and the world with the Covid-19 Pandemic, deaths, closed schools, closed businesses, mask mandates, and more. Thousands have died, millions have lost their jobs and businesses, leading to frustration, worry, and anxiety. So, you could...
Will Filing Bankruptcy Impact my Security Clearance?
Almost once a week I receive the question, “Will declaring bankruptcy result in me losing my security clearance?” Typically, the answer to this question is no. In most cases, filing for bankruptcy will help you keep your security clearance. Once you file bankruptcy and discharge your debt, you are far less susceptible to blackmail, bribery, or the desire to steal.
What Happens to My Home Equity after I Convert my Chapter 13 Bankruptcy to Chapter 7?
Occasionally, during a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, one may find that they have a significant life change that causes them to need a modification to their monthly plan payments. While it is possible to alter the plan and keep you in the Chapter 13 bankruptcy, there are...
The Elderly, Bankruptcy & Reverse Mortgages
Are there people that a bankruptcy cannot help? Unfortunately, yes. There are many well deserving people that are beyond the help of the bankruptcy code. There are waiting periods between bankruptcies; so, if you have recently filed, then you may not be able to file...
The 20/20/20 Rule & Military Divorce
Hampton Road's Military Heritage The Hampton Roads area is a major hub for military individuals and their families. However, the stress of base life and deployment may cause strains on a military family that can lead to divorce. While divorces are fairly common, it is...
Imputed Income in Virginia Child Support Cases
Statutory Authority Virginia Code § 20-108.1 creates a rebuttable presumption that the courts shall order child support based on the applicable guidelines set forth under § 20-108.2. The guidelines take into account how much both parties earn and how much time they...
Categories
Downgrading of Minor Traffic Offenses in Virginia
In a special legislative session in late 2020 the Virginia Assembly passed a series of laws that will make it so that a police officer will not be able to stop a vehicle for certain minor traffic violations. These new laws will become effective on March 1, 2021....
Virginia Bans No-Knock Warrants
In late 2020, the Virginia Governor signed into law a bill that prohibited the use of no-knock warrants. This law came into being after Breonna Taylor was tragically shot and killed by an officer who entered her home without first announcing that he was...
So, You Want to Open a Marijuana Dispensary in Virginia?
By 1930 most states had criminalized the possession of marijuana. In 1970 the federal government outlawed all cannabis use. Nearly 100 years later, in 2020, the Virginia Assembly essentially decriminalized the personal use of marijuana by reducing the penalty to a...
Virginia’s New Gun Control Laws
Virginia passed several new gun control laws in 2020. Some of those laws include: Virginia Code section 18.2-308.2:5 was amended to add the requirement of a background check on all firearm sales. Virginia Code section 19.2-152.14 created an Emergency Substantial Risk...
Distracted Driving and Cell Phones
The year 2020 shocked our nation and the world with the Covid-19 Pandemic, deaths, closed schools, closed businesses, mask mandates, and more. Thousands have died, millions have lost their jobs and businesses, leading to frustration, worry, and anxiety. So, you could...
Will Filing Bankruptcy Impact my Security Clearance?
Almost once a week I receive the question, “Will declaring bankruptcy result in me losing my security clearance?” Typically, the answer to this question is no. In most cases, filing for bankruptcy will help you keep your security clearance. Once you file bankruptcy and discharge your debt, you are far less susceptible to blackmail, bribery, or the desire to steal.
What Happens to My Home Equity after I Convert my Chapter 13 Bankruptcy to Chapter 7?
Occasionally, during a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, one may find that they have a significant life change that causes them to need a modification to their monthly plan payments. While it is possible to alter the plan and keep you in the Chapter 13 bankruptcy, there are...
The Elderly, Bankruptcy & Reverse Mortgages
Are there people that a bankruptcy cannot help? Unfortunately, yes. There are many well deserving people that are beyond the help of the bankruptcy code. There are waiting periods between bankruptcies; so, if you have recently filed, then you may not be able to file...
The 20/20/20 Rule & Military Divorce
Hampton Road's Military Heritage The Hampton Roads area is a major hub for military individuals and their families. However, the stress of base life and deployment may cause strains on a military family that can lead to divorce. While divorces are fairly common, it is...
Imputed Income in Virginia Child Support Cases
Statutory Authority Virginia Code § 20-108.1 creates a rebuttable presumption that the courts shall order child support based on the applicable guidelines set forth under § 20-108.2. The guidelines take into account how much both parties earn and how much time they...