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Welcome to my law practice! As a casual, approachable, affordable attorney, I am excited about the opportunity to serve your legal needs.
I am a part-time lawyer and full-time mom, which means I get the best of both worlds: nap-times, court-times, snack-times, and meeting-times. I love it! And because I operate out of a home office, you'll never pay for the expensive overhead of a pricey law firm. I provide top-quality legal services at affordable rates.
Whether your legal needs involve estate planning, small business operations, family law, or civil rights, I can help. If you're a parent wanting a will with guardianship and monetary provisions for your children, I can help. If you're thinking of starting your own business, I can help. Give me the opportunity, and I can help you with your legal needs.
Check out my article "4 Facts of Life... and Death" in Richmond Family Magazine. Click on the link to the left.
Profile Kelly A. Hall, Attorney
BAR ADMISSION
Virginia State Bar
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2009
Top 3% of Class Order of St. Ives Scholastic Excellence Awards for highest grade in Criminal Law (Fall 2006), Legal and Medical Reproductive Rights (Spring 2008), and Trial Practice (Spring 2009) Awarded full-tuition Chancellor's Scholarship for entire law school education, based on academic achievement and commitment to public service Awarded USA Funds Scholarship for academic excellence Bachelor of Arts, Theology, Santa Clara University
Magna cum laude Member, Theta Alpha Kappa PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
American Bar Association, Solo Member's Division Metro Richmond Women's Bar Association Virginia State Bar Wills & Trusts What happens if I don't have a will?
If you die without a will, courts will determine who will inherit your assets and who will serve as the guardian of any minor children you may have. You likely find this proposition completely unacceptable, but you may have some outlying areas of uncertainty about whom you want to receive your money or who you want raising your children. A trained estate planning attorney can help guide you through that decision-making process, ultimately protecting your interests and wishes.
How do I choose a guardian for my children?
In your will, you can designate back-up guardians to raise your children in the unlikely event that you arent around to do so. Some factors to consider include (1) shared faith, worldview, and moral values, (2) shared parenting style, and (3) where the guardians live. Many people choose family members, but a large number of people decide on good friends to serve as back-up guardians.
How can I make sure my children get the inheritance I want to leave to them?
In Virginia, a minor under the age of 18 cannot own property or money. In the event that your child inherits money from you upon your death, the court will appoint a custodian of that money. The bad news is that the custodian will get paid to manage your child's money. A testamentary trust will protect your child's assets and allow you to appoint a money-manager (usually a good friend or family member). The testamentary trust can also be set up to reflect your wishes for
expenditure of the money. For example, the trust can instruct that a certain amount of money be used
solely for education, and the trust can direct when you want your children get the money (many people
choose the age of 25 for full vesting of inheritance).
When is a living trust a good idea?
A living trust is beneficial in many ways, the most prominent being that it avoids probate the court process of overseeing the distribution of a person's estate. Avoiding probate saves money and considerable time and hassle for your loved ones.
In the event of your death, trust assets transfer immediately to your beneficiaries (the people you name to receive your
assets), and there is none of the waiting or fees associated with probate. Additionally, trusts remain private, wheras
wills become public information once admitted to probate. If you own any real estate or business holdings, have a
complex estate, or otherwise desire privacy, a living trust is a good option for you.
Articles Direct Links to Recent Articles
Click directly on the title.
Four Facts of Life... and Death
Published Writings
In my free time, I enjoy writing as the legal columnist for Richmond Family Magazine, a parenting resource available at all area Martins, Krogers, and Wawas (in addition to most libraries, medical offices, and many retail establishments).
Of particular interest to my clients may be the article I penned on estate planning for parents with minor children, "Four Facts of Life and Death." Click on the link to the right to access the article directly online.
Upcoming articles will touch on topics such as tax deductions for families, adoption laws, and post-divorce estate planning.
Small Business Savvy
Collaborative Divorce: A Civil Approach to Ending Marriage
Insurance Questions: Basics for Homeowners
Family Leave: How It Works for Working Parents
Exploring IEPs
Learn About Sexting
Boing, Spash: Backyard Safety & Liability
Safe Travels: Kids, Cars and Virginia Laws
Fee Schedule Half hour consultation to determine estate planning needs: FREE
Basic Will Package: $250 single, $450 couple
Designation of who will inherit your assets Appointment of an executor Will for Parents of Minor Children: $500 single, $900 couple
Everything included in the Basic Will Package, plus: Establishing guardians for minor children Drafting of a testamentary trust to ensure the financial security of minor children Appointment of trustee Advance directives (health care wishes) Financial durable power of attorney Living Trust Package: $1700 single, $2000 couple
Revocable Living Trust with provisions during lifetime, incapacity, and following death Accompanying will with guardianship provisions Financial durable power of attorney Advance directives (health care wishes) Certification of trust Re-titling of primary residence into the trust Special Needs Trusts, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts: Inquire
Small business needs, including LLC filings, drafting of contracts, etc.: Inquire
Family Law: Inquire
* Fees may vary if individual needs exceed package specifications.
Contact Us Kelly A. Hall, Attorney at Law
PO Box 13364
Richmond, Virginia 23225
Phone: 804-912-4036
Fax: 804-381-0562
Email: kelly_KellyHallLaw.com
**Please note that the use of the Internet or this form for communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. There is no duty on behalf of the attorney to maintain the confidentiality of any information sent via this contact form.