Virginia Conservatorship - Calculating the Conservator's Fee By Attorney Jennifer Kahl - June 30, 2022 (updated August 2023) One of the more nuanced aspects of conservatorship administration is the calculation of the fee which the Conservator can take as payment for...
Virginia Probate
Virginia Probate — A Guide to Estate Expenses
Virginia Probate -- A Guide to Estate Expenses By Attorney Jennifer Kahl. September 9, 2021 One of the most frequent mistakes made by executors is that they use estate money for inappropriate expenses. This guide is designed to help you (the personal representative of...
Virginia Probate – Calculating the Executor’s Fee
Virginia Probate -- Calculating the Executor's Fee By Attorney Jennifer Kahl, July 13, 2021 One of the more nuanced aspects of estate administration is the calculation of the fiduciary fee. Most people refer to this as the “executor’s fee.” This isn’t precisely...
Virginia Probate – Estate and Gift Taxes
By Attorney Jennifer Kahl September 19, 2019 (Updated July 8, 2021) Many people are concerned about the potential of the “estate tax.” However, the vast majority of estates will not owe any estate tax. The Unified Tax Credit The Unified Tax Credit is the amount that...
Virginia Probate – Shortcuts for Small Estates
Virginia Probate -- Shortcuts for Small Estates By Attorney Jennifer Kahl, August 19, 2019 (Updated June 6, 2023) When a person dies, the first step in the administration of the estate is to calculate the probate estate. Depending on the size of the probate...
Virginia Probate – Inheriting Real Estate
Virginia Probate - Inheriting Real Estate By Attorney Jennifer Kahl, August 12, 2019 (updated July 8, 2021) What happens to real estate in Virginia when someone dies? It depends on how the real estate was titled and whether the person had a will. The titling of real...
Virginia Probate – The Laws of Intestacy
Virginia Probate -- The Laws of Intestacy By Attorney Jennifer Kahl, July 16, 2019 (updated July 8, 2021) What happens when a person dies without a Last Will and Testament? This is called dying “intestate.” The distribution of these estates is governed by the...
Virginia Probate – Do I have to Refinance the House When the Owner Dies?
Virginia Probate - Do I have to Refinance the House When the Owner Dies? By Attorney Jennifer Kahl, July 9, 2019 If you have inherited real estate from a person who died, you may be wondering if you have to refinance the mortgage. Often, the mortgager will lead you to...
Virginia Probate – Titles of the Personal Representative
Virginia Probate - Titles of the Personal Representative By Attorney Jennifer Kahl, June 25, 2019 The term “personal representative” refers to the individual(s) or entity which has been appointed by the court to manage the estate of a deceased person. “Personal...
Virginia Probate – Who is the Commissioner of Accounts?
Virginia Probate - Who is the Commissioner of Accounts? By Attorney Jennifer Kahl, June 18, 2019 Let's suppose that, after consulting with an experienced estate administration attorney, you have determined that it is necessary to open a formal probate estate (click...
Virginia Probate – Consequences of Joint Ownership
Virginia Probate -- Consequences of Joint Ownership By Attorney Jennifer Kahl, June 10, 2019 When someone dies, the first step in administering the estate is to identify the decedent’s assets and determine how the assets are titled. The title of the assets plays a big...
Virginia Probate – Overview of Administering a Formal Probate Estate
Virginia Probate -- Overview of Administering a Formal Probate Estate By Attorney Jennifer Kahl on Monday, January 28, 2019 Let's suppose that, after consulting with an experienced estate administration attorney, you have determined that it is necessary for you to...
Virginia Probate – Initial Steps to Determine the Proper Probate Strategy
Virginia Probate -- Initial Steps to Determine the Proper Probate Strategy By Attorney Jennifer Kahl on Monday, January 21, 2019 (updated July 14, 2021) Your loved one has died, and your head is spinning. During this stressful time, it can be hard to know what...
Virginia Probate – Calculating the Probate Estate
Virginia Probate - Calculating the Probate Estate By Attorney Jennifer D. Kahl on Monday, January 14, 2019 (updated July 26, 2021) People often use the term “probate assets” to refer to any assets owned by a person when the person dies. However, in Virginia, only...
Virginia Probate – Rights of the Surviving Spouse
Virginia Probate - Rights of the Surviving Spouse By Attorney Jennifer D. Kahl on December 10, 2018 (updated July 26, 2021) If your spouse has just died, you are probably experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. Things are even more stressful if you are concerned about...
Virginia Probate – Do I have to Pay my Parents’ Debts When They Die?
by Attorney Jennifer D. Kahl on Monday, December 3, 2018 Losing a parent is always a difficult experience. Stress about the financial implications of the death can make things even worse! If your parent had debt when he or she died, you may be wondering if you are...
Virginia Probate – Tips for a New Executor
By Attorney Jennifer D. Kahl on November 17. 2017 Congratulations! Dad trusted you and selected you to be the executor of his estate. But now, Dad has passed away and you are up to your ears in funeral arrangements, bills, and siblings pestering you for their...