Virginia · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Virginia: get back what you're owed

Eight free guides for Virginia, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Virginia

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$5,000
Court
small claims court
Filing fee
$46–$55
Lawyers
No lawyers

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Virginia

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
45 days
Security deposit limit
2 months' rent
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
14 days
Notice before the landlord enters
72 hours (routine maintenance)

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Virginia

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
Minimum wage (2026)
$12.77
Final paycheck if fired
Next payday
Deadline to file a wage claim
3 years

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Virginia

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
18 months
What makes it a lemon
3 repairs · 1 if unsafe · 30 calendar days
Covers used cars
Yes
Before you sue
Optional

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Virginia

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
Varies by locality (often April-June)
Where you appeal first
Administrative review by the local assessor or Commissioner of the Revenue
Median effective tax rate
0.73%
Median yearly tax on a home
$2,790

VariesIn most large localities the 2026 windows have closed (Fairfax County and Loudoun County Board of Equalization deadlines were June 1, 2026; Virginia Beach's was June 30), but each county and city sets its own dates, and some counties finishing a reassessment mail notices at other times of year, so check your notice. You can still challenge a 2026 assessment in circuit court for years, and 2027 notices are usually mailed in late winter or early spring (Loudoun in February, Virginia Beach in March). (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Virginia

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
No general exemption
Homestead deadline
See the guide
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
Full exemption (100% rating)

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Virginia

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
Virginia Unclaimed Property Program (vaMoneySearch.gov)
Held by the state
See the guide
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Virginia

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
6 months
Waiting period
See the guide
Filing fee
Varies by county

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Virginia

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Virginia
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract5 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement3 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage5 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit45 daysTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent14 daysTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claim3 yearsWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedNext paydayWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period18 monthsLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineSue within the 18-month lemon law rights period.Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appealVaries by locality (often April-June)Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineSee the guideExemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file6 monthsDivorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting periodSee the guideDivorce Law Map

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Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.

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