The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) introduces unparalleled transparency requirements for numerous legal entities. The Act demands that most entities disclose specific details concerning their owners, leaders, and key stakeholders to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). One of the more pervasive questions surrounding it—outside of its ramifications—is what sparked the initiation of the CTA. There was Read More

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges often come with a flurry of questions. Because of how many people consume alcohol recreationally, people generally offer a wide range of advice regarding your rights when you are pulled over. For instance, can you refuse a breathalyzer? At Norton Pelt, we understand the complexity and confusion that may surround these questions. When asked to take one, your decisions will Read More

You’ve seen them. When you go to a parking garage, grocery store, gas station, or shopping mall, you’d be hard-pressed not to see an electronic vehicle (EV) charging station. Though technology will evolve, the average EV can run on one charge for about 250 miles. The distance they can run on one charge is impacted by the battery's size, the vehicle's weight, driving conditions, and the use of the car’s accessories. Read More

If you were inclined to do so, you could look up § 18.2-178.1 in the Code of Virginia to learn about the penalties associated with the financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. Although we will explain what a vulnerable adult is and what exploitation looks like, it is essential to note that this is now a crime. Previously, they were strictly civil matters, but breaches of fiduciary duties are now criminal Read More

Consider the following scenario: John and Jane give birth to their first and only child, John Jr. Shortly after the child is born, John and Jane separate and begin dissolving their marriage. John Jr. was only a year old when the divorce decree was issued. However, there are no provisions in the divorce decree concerning custody of John Jr. Ultimately, John Jr. remains with his father, and Jane has visitation rights. Read More

States have incorporated “drug courts,” which offer sentencing alternatives to specific individuals. After defendants accept a plea, they enter into a supervised process to break their addiction and avoid being sent to prison. Though most jurisdictions offer these, few have begun offering something along the same lines to veterans known as “veterans dockets.”  This program is in its early stages and has only Read More

When forming your business, you may choose to structure it as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation. Each type of structure offers different levels of asset protection and affects how much you pay in taxes. But owners can exert further control over their business—both while alive and after they pass away—by placing business interests in a trust.   Typically associated Read More

When forming your business, you may choose to structure it as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation. Each type of structure offers different levels of asset protection and affects how much you pay in taxes. But owners can exert further control over their business—both while alive and after they pass away—by placing business interests in a trust. Typically associated with Read More

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces live under an umbrella of unique circumstances. For example, their actions are governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and are subject to the constant possibility of relocations and deployments. Although a military divorce follows the same process as a civilian one, several factors must be considered. One of the biggest concerns that many military members have is how Read More

Most Americans have limited interactions with the police but are only aware of this once they get pulled over. Imagine that you are pulled over because your inspection sticker expired last week. The police officer asks you to step out of the car because they want to search your vehicle. Do you have to comply? Are they within their rights to ask you if you have been drinking? These questions surface, and you become Read More