James H. Wilson Jr.

I assist clients with legal problems in the areas of bankruptcy, divorce, wills and trusts, and probate or estate administration. I am an experienced trial lawyer and have been a member of the Virginia State Bar since 1987. While I am glad to help clients settle their legal matters expeditiously and at the lowest costs to their satisfaction, I welcome the opportunity to litigate contested matters when settlement is not an acceptable option. I particularly enjoy the interplay between different practice areas, and have helped clients with both marital or divorce problems and financial problems such as bankruptcy, or family problems and probate or estate administration needs. I was graduated from the University of Virginia in 1984 with a B.A., and from the University of Richmond School of Law in 1987 with a J.D.

I am happily married with two sons at home. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, reading, chess, and sailing.

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Virginia

James H. Wilson, Jr., Attorney & Counsellor at Law

Current

University of Richmond School of Law

J.D

1984 - 1987

University of Virginia

B.A | Foreign Affairs

1980 - 1984

Virginia State Bar

Member

Current

Activities: Bankruptcy Law, Family Law and Trusts & Estates Sections

Henrico County Bar Association

Member

Current

Richmond Bar Association

Member

Current

Activities: Bankruptcy Law Section

Q. My mother passed away in Virginia and have been told there was a will.

September 27, 2024

A: One way for a testator to revoke a will is through physical obliteration - tearing it up, marking through it, burning it, etc. Many lawyers will not keep an original will because it would deprive the testator of the ability to revoke a will in this manner. Instead, the lawyer or law firm may make a copy of the original and give the original to the testator for safekeeping or future revocation. It is often advisable for any testator to provide his or her heirs or beneficiaries with a copy of the will, so they will know that one was made. There is a presumption in Virginia that a lost will has been revoked by the testator. It is a crime in Virginia for someone in possession of a will, other than a testator, to refuse to disclose its existence, or to destroy it.

Anyone with an interest in an estate in Virginia should consult with an experienced Virginia probate lawyer. ... Read More

Q. I retained my lawyer 3 weeks ago after my consult, and I have yet to receive any followup communication. is this normal?

September 15, 2024

A: It is important for a lawyer and his or her client to discuss expectations regarding communications and the preferred method of communication. In general, lawyers communicate with clients when it is necessary to the purpose of representation. Some lawyers and clients prefer e-mail, some prefer telephone calls, and some will use text. Because a client has paid the lawyer a considerable amount of money, some clients expect daily, weekly or frequent status updates from the lawyer. That is not really what most lawyers do, or how they efficiently spend their limited time. Most successful lawyers have a large number of clients with active cases. The lawyers' activities are determined according to a scale of priorities. The lawyers are meeting deadlines, appearing at required court appearances, and giving priority to matters that demand priority. Some clients just enjoy talking with their chosen counsel, but that is not really practical. As an example, if a lawyer has 30 active cases, the lawyer would have to spend 2 and 1/2 hours to have an unnecessary 5 minute chat with each client for an update. Thirty phone calls from clients means thirty interruptions from work that must be done according to a schedule. Some matters require intense concentration and an absence of distractions.

You should e-mail and call your lawyer to discuss preferred methods of communication and where your case stands in the order of priority of other matters. ... Read More

Q. Who inherits property after the last spouse dies?

September 4, 2024

A: When a Virginia resident dies intestate - without a will - property may pass through nonprobate transfers, such as survivorship, POD account beneficiaries, TOD account beneficiaries, retirement plan beneficiaries, or other nonprobate measures, or according to the law of intestacy in Virginia, which appears in Virginia Code Section 64.2-200 et seq. If a married couple holds title to real property as tenants by the entirety with the common-law right of survivorship, title remains in the name of the surviving spouse upon the death of either spouse.

Anyone facing probate in Virginia should consult with an experienced Virginia probate lawyer.

White v. Llewellyn

Supreme Court of Virginia