The Wrong Way to Avoid “Trust Fund Kids” And Other Lessons from Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Will

Written by on
Jason Smolen, Co-Founding Principal

According to media reports, the late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman didn’t leave any money to his three children directly because he feared they would become “Trust Fund Kids”. While his concerns were understandable—many people worry about giving their children too much money too soon—there are a number of estate planning strategies that he could have used to better provide for his family after his death. Hoffman died in February 2014, leaving an estimated $35 million estate to his long-time companion, Marianne O’ Donnell. Read more »

In the Media: Daniel Ruttenberg Discusses Hillman v. Maretta on Money Matters

Written by on
SmolenPlevy's Daniel Ruttenberg discusses Hillman v. Maretta on Money Matters

Major life events—marriages, birth of children and deaths—should make you re-consider and update your estate plan and change of beneficiary designations. SmolenPlevy Principal Daniel Ruttenberg recently appeared on TV’s Money Matters with Tom Spottiswood to discuss his role in tackling this very issue last year before the U.S. Supreme Court […] Read more »

Domestic Violence Is More Common Than You Realize

Written by on
Alan Plevy, Co-Founding Principal

Article from SmolenPlevy’s Winter 2014 Report from Counsel Many people don’ t realize that they’re victims of domestic violence because they don’ t understand the sometimes insidious form that domestic violence takes. While physical abuse is what one initially associates with the term, emotional and financial abuse can also be […] Read more »

Divorce: A New Year’s Resolution

Written by on
Kyung (Kathryn) Dickerson appears on Fox 5 DC to discuss divorce as a New Year's resolution.

While no one can predict the future, it is safe to guess that the New Year will bring change: new opportunities, new friends, new diets, and possibly a divorce. Divorce is a common New Year’s resolution. According to Kyung (Kathryn) Dickerson, principal at SmolenPlevy, a number of people begin the process of divorce in January and February — mainly […] Read more »

Daniel Ruttenberg’s Supreme Court Experience Featured in Northern Virginia Magazine

Written by on
A screenshot of the article The Case of the Preemptive Strike and the Wronged Widow.

It’s difficult to think of a more intimidating situation for an attorney than arguing in front of the United States Supreme Court, but this past April, SmolenPlevy principal Daniel Ruttenberg did just that. Ruttenberg argued the case of Hillman v. Maretta before the nine Supreme Court justices – a challenging undertaking for an […] Read more »

In the Media: Bank of America Spotlights SmolenPlevy’s Jason Smolen on the Need for Businesses to Have Counsel

Written by on

A business can only be successful if it capably handles its legal issues. This is especially true for small businesses, according to Jason Smolen, co-founding Principal of SmolenPlevy, in a just published interview with Bank of America’s Small Business Community. Smolen stresses the importance of having a legal advisor for your […] Read more »

Alan Plevy on When Switching Attorneys Makes Sense

Written by on

It’s a battle over children and billions of dollars.  Rupert Murdoch’s soon-to-be ex-wife, Wendi, just hired a new divorce attorney (her second). Alan Plevy, Co-founding Principal of SmolenPlevy in Vienna, VA, notes that he regularly has clients come to him after first starting off with another attorney. “They may be […] Read more »

Tips for Social Media During Your Divorce

Written by on
Tips for social media during divorce

Stay off Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,  or other social media platforms if you are or may be in court. 81% of attorneys discover social networking evidence worth presenting in court. Social media can be used as evidence during divorce procedures to show proof of infidelity, gains in income, and even affect […] Read more »