Articles By: Melone Hatley, P.C.

There are two primary reasons for having an estate plan: To make sure that your family and loved ones are taken care of to the best extent possible following your death, and To provide clear instructions on what should happen to your estate follo…

A special needs trust, also referred to as a supplemental needs trust, provides for a person with a mental or physical disability and allows the beneficiary to receive gifts, lawsuit settlements, or other funds and yet not lose his or her eligibil…

Your divorce is final, assets have been divided, child support, custody, and spousal support have been determined, and you’re ready to move forward with your life.  But you’re not quite done yet.  The final step in your divorce is an appointment …

Your dog, cat, bird, horse, rabbit, guinea pig… are all important members of your family.  As part of the estate planning process, pet owners need to consider who will care for their pet(s) when they no longer are able to provide care themselves …

An advance medical directive, also sometimes called an advance health care directive, or living will is a legal document that gives you control over who makes medical decisions during times when you cannot make them for yourself because of incapac…

The Internet has made it very easy to find answers and instructions on just about anything, including how to develop a do-it-yourself (DYI) estate plan. There are websites and software packages, along with DIY estate planning books and kits that t…

We’ve all heard the term probate, or that a will has to go through probate.  But, what exactly does the term mean, what is involved once probate begins, and how does it affect beneficiaries? Probate is the official way that an estate gets settled …

In our last blog, we discussed revocable living trusts and their benefits.  In this blog, we’ve created a simple case study to illustrate the value of a living trust and estate planning, and how it is used once the grantors have gotten older, inca…

A revocable living trust in Virginia, also called a living trust or inter vivos trust, has become a popular estate planning option because of the many benefits it offers.  A revocable living trust is flexible and the terms can be changed at any t…

Spousal support can be a major aspect of divorce cases in Virginia. The court may order temporary support while the case is pending and may order time-limited or even permanent spousal support at the end of the case.  Spousal support, also known …

Drunk driving offenses are aggressively prosecuted in the commonwealth of Virginia. Even a first-time offense can result in harsh financial penalties, loss of driving privileges, and even jail time, as well as several other negative consequences….

    When it comes to estate planning, most families have the same objectives: to provide income for their children or other descendants. Parents want their children to continue having the sa me comfortable lifestyle and the freedom to p…