Ross Cameron Hart

I was born and grew up in the area - my family has served the legal needs of the area since 1892, over 120 years. My goal is to explain the legal process in plain English and to avoid the 'technical lawyer words' which only confuse many people. The primary focus of my firm is now "Elder Law" which broadly includes estate planning, Nursing Home admissions and Medicaid applications and adult guardianship. After a family member dies, we advise and assist in the estate administration process. In short, we help families plan and deal with aging and death and navigating the legal system.

University of Virginia School of Law

J.D. (1976)

1973 - 1976

Monmouth College

B.A. (1973) | Business Adm

1969 - 1973

Owner/President

Hart & Hart Attorneys Ltd

1976 - Current

Family firm begun by my grandfather and his brother (Hon. John L. Hart) in 1892

SuperLawyer

SuperLawyers

2019

Recognition of top 5% of lawyers in field of law

Chapter Member of Year

Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (VAELA)

2018

VAELA is a group of around 200 lawyers focusing on Elder Law; award recognizes member of chapter who contributes time, expertise, etc. for the chapter and other members.

Pro-bono Award, 2008 (23rd Circuit)

Virginia State Bar

2008

Award for pro-bono (low income clients)

NAELA

MEMBER

2008 - Current

Virginia Academy Elder Law Attorneys

Director

2008 - Current

Salem/Roanoke County Bar Ass'n

Member

2004 - Current

Virginia State Bar

Member

1976 - Current

Virginia

Since 1976

4th Circuit

Since 1981

Elder Law

Probate

Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

Estate Planning

Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Real Estate Law

Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law

Business Law

Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes

Q. Can it be argued that even if 2 people are on the deed of a house, the one who pays the mortgage is entitled to more?

3 March 2021

A: Nope - unless a divorce court judge sees it differently.

Q. Are my grandmothers nieces and nephews entitled to land that was owned by my great grandmother but never deeded ?

25 February 2021

A: The lawyer you talked to is correct. The interests of children of your great-grandmother goes to THEIR children on their death. I suggest you get deeds for whatever shares you can, then approach the others for their shares. This can be very complicated and time consuming. And you absolutely need an experienced lawyer to help you through it. If anyone wants to force a sale of their interest they have to go to court - which is expensive no matter which side you're on.

Q. Currently I live in a rental apartment of which my lease will auto renewal on March14th, 2021. A new property owner just

25 February 2021

A: It depends on the exact terms in the lease. Most leases that 'auto-renew' (1) state that the renewal will be for a specific period (such as a year, but some are 'auto-renewing' only month-to-month) and (2) have a 'notice' requirement that if either the landlord or the tenant don't want to renew they have to send notice at least xx days before the renewal date. (xx could be 30, 60, sometimes 90 or more). The second issue is whether your rent is paid monthly on the first of the month or on the 14th of the month. Again, your lease speaks to that. The third issue is when the 'new owner' sent you notice of the rent increase. If you just got it around the time you posted your question, that is not enough time under any theory. If you got in January, it might be sufficient notice. You need to consult a landlord-tenant attorney - with a copy of your lease and ALL documents - for a more definite answer to your problem