Start with clarity.
Then decide what comes next.

Basis Law focuses on federal tax controversy, Virginia business law, and Virginia estate planning and administration. Federal tax controversy matters may include IRS audits and examinations, administrative appeals, collection matters, federal tax liens and levies, spousal tax issues, and U.S. Tax Court matters. Virginia services include business formation and agreements, governance matters, estate planning, and estate administration.

Chavioleyette “Chay” Fenelus, Founder and Managing Attorney of Basis Law PLLC, is licensed to practice law in Virginia. She is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Virginia, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and U.S. Tax Court.
Business law and estate planning and administration services are currently limited to matters governed by Virginia law.

For certain federal tax matters, yes. Basis Law may represent taxpayers located outside Virginia in federal tax controversy matters when permitted. Business law and estate planning and administration services are currently limited to matters governed by Virginia law.

No. Contacting Basis Law, submitting information through the website, or scheduling or attending a consultation does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. Representation begins only after Basis Law agrees to undertake the matter and the required engagement agreement has been completed.

Potentially, yes. Basis Law can evaluate an IRS matter that is already underway, including matters previously handled by the taxpayer, a return preparer, CPA, enrolled agent, or another representative. The first step is understanding what has already occurred, what has been submitted to the IRS, what positions have been taken, and whether any deadlines or procedural rights remain. Prior involvement by another professional does not necessarily prevent an attorney from becoming involved later.

The appropriate professional depends on the issue. CPAs and enrolled agents can represent taxpayers before the IRS within the scope of their authority, and they may be well suited for many tax matters. An attorney may be particularly useful when the matter involves significant legal or procedural questions, interpretation of tax law, development of legal arguments, potential litigation, privilege considerations, or coordination with other legal issues. In some matters, Basis Law works alongside the client’s existing tax professional rather than replacing them.

Not necessarily. The options available will depend on what was submitted, what the IRS has done since then, the procedural stage of the matter, and any applicable deadlines. Basis Law can review the prior correspondence and submissions, identify the issues that remain open, and evaluate what options may still be available.

Yes, when appropriate. A client’s existing tax professional may have valuable knowledge of the returns, records, accounting, or history underlying an IRS dispute. With the client’s authorization and when appropriate for the matter, Basis Law can coordinate with the client’s CPA, enrolled agent, return preparer, or other tax professional while providing legal representation for the controversy.

Yes. Basis Law can review an existing contract, template, or other business document and advise on what its provisions mean, how they may affect the client, and whether changes should be considered. A document that works for one business or transaction may not address the legal or practical issues that matter in another.

A written agreement can address important questions while the parties are still aligned, including authority, responsibilities, decision-making, financial arrangements, and what happens when circumstances change. The appropriate agreement depends on the business structure and the relationship among the parties. Putting expectations in writing can also make it easier to determine what everyone actually agreed to later.

Yes. Legal review can still be useful after an agreement has been signed. Basis Law can review an existing contract and advise a client about its terms, rights, responsibilities, deadlines, and other obligations. What options may be available if a concern has already developed will depend on the agreement and the circumstances.

Forming an LLC with the state creates the entity, but formation is not necessarily the end of the legal work involved in establishing the business. Depending on the circumstances, additional considerations may include governing documents, ownership and management arrangements, contracts, required registrations, and how the business will document important decisions. The appropriate next steps depend on the business and how it will operate.

There is no single answer that works for every client. Whether a will-based or trust-based plan is appropriate depends on your family, assets, goals, concerns, and how you want the plan to operate during your lifetime and after your death. Basis Law begins with a consultation to discuss those circumstances before recommending an approach. If you engage the firm, the plan is further developed through a detailed questionnaire and collaborative design process

Yes. You do not need to have originally worked with Basis Law for the firm to review your existing estate-planning documents. A review can help determine what your current documents provide, whether they still reflect your wishes and circumstances, and whether changes or additional planning should be considered.

Yes. Real estate can be an important part of an estate plan, and how property is titled can affect how it fits within the overall plan. When appropriate to the representation, Basis Law can prepare Virginia deeds and coordinate real property with the client’s estate-planning documents and objectives.

No. You do not need to select your own documents or package before meeting with Basis Law. Every new estate-planning matter begins with a consultation to discuss your goals and circumstances and consider whether individual documents or a more comprehensive plan may be appropriate, including whether the plan should be will-based or trust-based. If you decide to engage the firm, the plan is then developed in greater detail through the questionnaire and design process.

Consultations can be scheduled online by selecting the consultation type that best matches your matter and choosing an available appointment time. The length and fee for each consultation are displayed before booking. Payment is required as part of the scheduling process.

A consultation is a focused meeting to discuss your legal issue, relevant background and documents, and the questions or decisions that may require attention. The goal is to better understand the matter, identify relevant considerations and possible next steps, and determine whether Basis Law may be the right fit for the representation.

A consultation does not guarantee that Basis Law will accept the matter, and you are not required to hire the firm for additional legal services.

No. The consultation fee covers the scheduled consultation and is displayed before you book. If Basis Law offers to represent you after the consultation, the scope of the proposed representation and the applicable legal fees will be explained separately before you decide whether to engage the firm.

Depending on the matter, representation may be offered for a flat fee, hourly fee, or another fee arrangement described in the engagement agreement.

Please do not send sensitive documents or confidential information through a general website inquiry or unsolicited email. If documents are needed for a consultation or representation, Basis Law will provide instructions for submitting them through the appropriate secure process. Providing information to the firm before an attorney-client relationship has been established does not by itself create one.