Loudoun Monoliths: How Data Centers are Changing Your Estate Valuation
Yes, we’re talking about those things today. Data centers. They are the monoliths currently reshaping the Loudoun County landscape, pulling high-voltage lines through scenic rural views, and offering astronomical buyouts for land that has been held by small families for generations. If you spend any time online, you’ve seen the advocacy work. There is a […]
Top Traps In Testacy – Unintentional Liability
Whether you’re using a will or a trust, there are a few major pitfalls that can trip up even the best intentions. When you’re pulling together an estate plan (or interacting with one at all, really) keeping these issues in front of mind is critical. A little bit of thought today can save your administrators […]
This is, Definitionally, a Problem
Definitions and glossaries in contracts are robbing you. Concerned yet? In my time in the commercial and government contracts world, I’ve seen this problem time and time again. Every attorney knows to rush to indemnification, limitation of liability, representations and warranties, and termination clauses. What few pay attention to—and what usually takes opposing counsel aback […]
Who I Help: The Self Starter
Who I Help: The Cautious
Who I Help – Picking Yourself Back Up
You’re picking yourself up off the mat. You took a shot and it blew up in your face – whether it was slow burn post-Covid, tragedy striking or just tough lessons in practice, you took a shot and now have a mess on your hands. Let’s start off with this first; you bet on yourself, […]
Who I Help – Preserving Family Legacy
You’re looking to set up a long term vision for your property, your family, and their families – a legacy. You’ve worked hard your entire life and you know you have to have something in place to ensure things are sorted but you don’t know what. A will or a trust? What’s probate? How do […]
Who I Help: A Profile Series
I practice law based on my professional and personal ethics. I grew up rural in upstate New York where the median income is a tourism-driven $40,000.00 per year (At best). My grandparents (Who raised me) instilled a strong belief in real value, community ethos, and having the integrity to speak plainly and honestly, regardless of […]
Estate Planning Basics: Trusts
We’ve reached the last article in our “What is an estate plan?” series. Last week we went over wills and the week before, we went over powers of attorney. Today, we’ll tackle one of the most popular estate documents – the trust. As usual, let’s start with some definitions. The grantor or settlor is the person […]
Estate Plan Basics: Wills
This week in our “What is an estate plan?” series we’ll be looking at wills. In case you missed it, last week we went over powers of attorney. Today’s spotlight is on the document that comes to mind when you think estate planning – the will (Or the Last Will and Testament). Before we get […]