Patricia M. Wood has been selected as a 2015 Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star. No more than 2.5% of lawyers in a state are named to Rising Stars, who are 40 years old or younger. Patricia focuses her practice on helping clients with personal disputes, estate planning and family law matters, as well as the representation of businesses…

What did Janay Palmer do to Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice after he punched her, knocking her out? She married him. That is rare. Usually divorce — not marriage — follows domestic violence. Rice’s recent notoriety and numerous other episodes surrounding athletes and celebrities highlight the breadth of family abuse. Virginia defines family abuse…

Christopher J. Habenicht has joined the firm’s litigation section. Chris was formerly an associate in the ligitation section at Hunton & Williams and was most recently a partner at Hopson, Habenicht and Cave in Chesterfield Country. His practice includes business and real estate litigation, family law, and estate administration.  

  When the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) passed into law 18 years ago, its vague terminology led many to speculate about how expansively it would be read by the federal courts that would be called upon to implement it.  But much to the relief of employers, the federal courts have been willing to read…

Pete Goergen of MeyerGoergen PC will speak on “The Perfect Storm: When Divorce, Bankruptcy and Real Estate Collide” to the Real Estate Section of the Richmond Bar Association. The program is designed to help domestic relations, bankruptcy and real estate attorneys deal with the many issues involved when a client facing divorce and/or bankruptcy and…

New Simplified Estate Planning For Married Couples: Portability of the Estate Tax Exemption Most married couples prefer to own property jointly with the right of survivorship and to provide through their wills or otherwise that when one spouse dies, the other spouse receives everything.  So, generally speaking, married couples want what are known as “I…

Part 2: What to Look for in an Executor A good executor will combine “people skills”, trustworthiness, and financial acumen.  Thus, you should consider your selection carefully before simply nominating your spouse, your child, or a close relative.  Think of the appointment as employment — not a way to reward (or punish) a friend or…

Part 1: What Executors Do The purpose of your will is to assure that your property is conveyed after your death the way you wish, and to see that your loved ones are protected.  One of the most important decisions to make in preparing your will is the choice of your executor, the person who…