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

First listed as SuperLawyer in 2019 and annually since. 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

• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  We charge a modest consultation fee which is less than half of the normal hourly rate for professional services. Our consultation usually takes an hour and frequently provides advice and information that the individual can use immediately. The fee for continued services is discussed at the consultation.

Elder Law

Probate

Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

Estate Planning

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

Q. When does the statue of limitations began on breach of fiduciary duty in va?

May 10, 2022

A: If a fiduciary mis-handles an estate, then having them pay improperly handled money and property is technically called a 'surcharge' and is suing on the bond. That statute is ten years - see Virginia Code 8.01-245, here: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-245/.

Q. My stepsister sold house that my dad and her mom owned together without permission from her stepsiblings. No will. Ok?

May 9, 2022

A: Mr. Sternberg is absolutely correct: it depends on how the deed was written when they got the house, or if your dad owned it before they were married, did he change the ownership to a survivorship with step-mom. If the deed has both names with either the phrase 'tenants by the entirety' or 'joint tenants with survivorship' then on Dad's death stepmother completely owned the property and her daughter as sole heir became the only owner of the property. This happens a lot on second marriages.

Q. currently unmarried and have a VA home loan/title solely in my name.What is best way to have spouse Added once married?

April 27, 2022

A: My first thought is "WHY?" Why would you want your (new) spouse to become legally responsible for a loan that you, individually, qualified for. You don't need to. As for adding your (new) spouse to the title to the property, it's fairly easy and any real estate lawyer can do it. It will not result in the loan having to be refinanced due to a law called Garn-StGermain passed in 1988