**Please note that all new clients must complete a conflict of interest check before this law firm can provide legal services. Please do not send details about your case to the law firm until we have verified that representing you would not create a conflict of interest. Sending information about your case to the law firm without an invitation to do so does not create an attorney-client relationship and the information that you send is not protected by the attorney-client privilege. ***
THIS LAW FIRM ACTS AS A DEBT COLLECTOR. COMMUNICATIONS WITH THIS LAW FIRM MAY BE USED TO COLLECT ON A DEBT.
As a Virginia licensed attorney with more than a decade of experience, I have represented and successfully counseled and advocated for a diverse group of clients, ranging from successful businesses to vulnerable individuals.
The law firm offers a wide range of services including civil litigation, housing law, real estate law, estate planning, guardianships and conservatorships, collections, landlord-tenant law, contract and business law, protective orders and mental health law.
My education includes a Juris Doctor degree from the American University Washington College of Law and a Master of Business Administration from the San Francisco State University. My education in the school of life provided me with diverse work experiences and the ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds.
I am an active member of numerous bar associations and community organizations including the Women's Bar Association of Washington DC, the Fairfax Bar Association, the Academy of Special Needs Planners, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and Women in Film and Video. I also work as a Guardian Ad Litem for incapacitated adults and children in Virginia. I am currently active and in good standing with the bar of Virginia, Washington D.C., and New York.
- Landlord Tenant
- Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Rent Control, Tenants' Rights
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- Elder Law
- Real Estate Law
- Condominiums, Easements, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights
- Special Needs Law, Mental Health/Civil Commitment Law
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Credit Cards Accepted
All major credit cards and debit cards are accepted. Wireless transfers and interbank transfers are accepted. We also accept money orders, checks, and cash. -
Contingent Fees
Contingent fees depend on the nature of the case. -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Consultations offered online and by phone. A portion of consultation fees are applied to legal services fees if you hire the law firm.
- District of Columbia
- District of Columbia Bar
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- New York
- New York State Office of Court Administration
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- Virginia
- Virginia State Bar
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Owner/Attorney
- The Law Office of Maria T. Patente PLLC
- - Current
- Represented thousands of clients in General District Courts and Circuit Courts in civil matters in Virginia.
- American University Washington College of Law
- J.D. | Juris Doctor
- Honors: Magna Cum Laude
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- San Francisco State University
- MBA | finance
- Honors: Beta Sigma Kappa- High Honors
- Activities: International Exchange at Arnhem Business School- Holland
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- University of Maryland - College Park
- B.S. | Biology and Molecular Genetics
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- National Association of Elder Law Attorneys
- Current
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- Virginia Association of Elder Law Attorneys
- Current
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- Washington DC/Maryland Association of Elder Law Attorneys
- Current
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- Women's Bar Association of D.C.
- Member
- - Current
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- Q. Good day, thank you! Is it possible to say if probate is required for a revocable living trust in VA, US? Details below.
- A: My condolences on the passing of your friend or family member. One of the primary purposes of creating a revocable living trust is that the trustmaker can dispose of assets upon his/her death and avoid probate. In order to successfully by pass probate, (1) the trust must have been valid and (2) the title to property must have been transferred to the trustee of the trust during the trustmaker's lifetime. When assets are found that were not properly transferred to the trustee during the trustmaker's lifetime, then those assets pass through probate. Most people create a "pour over will", such that the assets that do go through probate are "poured" into the trust. ... Read More
- Q. Can i have a tenant assessment removed from record?
- A: Your terminology "tenant assessment" does not have meaning in Virginia. Do you mean an Unlawful Detainer? If you had an unlawful detainer that was dismissed, then you had a good outcome. You can file for expungement of a dismissed unlawful detainer 30 days after the date of dismissal.
- Q. I rented a room from a friend,he kicked me out, no warning,his gf kept all my belongings what can I do to get it back?
- A: I'm sorry this happened to you. If you lived in Virginia, it sounds like you have been "Unlawfully Excluded" from your residence, which is unlawful under Section 55.1-1243.1 of the Code of Virginia. If a judge finds that you have been unlawfully excluded, the judge can award you numerous remedies, including (i) statutory damages of the greater of $5,000 or 4 months rent; (ii) actual damages (iii) possession of the premises (iv) attorney fees (v) court costs (vi) termination of the lease. Many judges will also take actions for you to recover your personal belongings.
Virginia General District Court is form driven, and a Petition for Unlawful Exclusion is commenced by ... Read More
