VA BAR Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield VA BAR facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A lawyer collects a $10,000 retainer from a client and deposits it into her operating account to pay for anticipated expenses. This is: → A violation of Rule 1.15 requiring client funds to be held in a separate trust account
2. Under Virginia equitable distribution law, 'active appreciation' of separate property during the marriage is classified as: → Marital property subject to equitable distribution
3. Under the doctrine of promissory estoppel, a promise is enforceable without consideration when: → The promisee reasonably and foreseeably relied on the promise to their detriment
4. What is the right to a speedy trial? → The Sixth Amendment right to be tried without unnecessary delay after being charged
5. When a bankruptcy petition is filed, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 immediately halts which of the following? → A secured creditor's attempt to repossess collateral
6. When are Miranda warnings required? → During custodial interrogation by law enforcement
7. Virginia follows which doctrine regarding a plaintiff's own negligence in a tort action? → Contributory negligence
8. Which doctrine allows Congress to consent to state laws that would otherwise violate the Dormant Commerce Clause? → Congressional authorization/consent
9. The doctrine of unconstitutional conditions holds that the government may not condition a benefit on: → The recipient's waiver of a constitutionally protected right
10. Under Virginia Code § 20-124.3, which of the following is explicitly listed as a factor in custody determinations? → The role each parent has played and will play in the child's upbringing
11. To effectively disclaim the implied warranty of merchantability under UCC §2-316, the disclaimer must: → Mention the word 'merchantability' and, if written, be conspicuous
12. A valid holographic will under Virginia law must be: → Entirely in the testator's handwriting and signed by the testator
13. A quitclaim deed differs from a general warranty deed primarily because: → A quitclaim deed conveys only the grantor's current interest with no covenants of warranty
14. Which of the following contracts is REQUIRED to be in writing under the Statute of Frauds? → An oral contract for the sale of land
15. What is a testamentary trust? → A trust created by the terms of a will that takes effect upon the testator's death
16. What is an agency's enabling statute? → The law enacted by Congress that creates the agency and defines its authority and powers
17. A lien creditor (judgment creditor who has levied on collateral) has priority over a secured party when the secured party: → Filed its financing statement after the lien creditor acquired the lien
18. Which standard applies when the government classifies on the basis of sex under the Equal Protection Clause? → Intermediate scrutiny — substantially related to an important government interest
19. The Contract Clause of Article I, Section 10 prohibits states from passing laws that impair the obligation of contracts. This prohibition applies to: → Both private and public contracts, with stricter scrutiny for public contracts
20. What is specific performance as a contract remedy? → A court order requiring the breaching party to perform their contractual obligations
21. Under Virginia Code § 20-89.1, which of the following is a statutory ground for annulment of a voidable marriage? → A party's prior undisclosed conviction of a felony before the marriage
22. An easement by necessity is created when: → A grantor severs land such that a portion is left without any access to a public road
23. Which of the following circumstances would most likely justify modification of a child support order in Virginia? → The child incurs substantial ongoing medical expenses due to a newly diagnosed condition
24. Virginia law permits a property owner to transfer real property at death outside of the probate process through: → A revocable transfer on death deed recorded during the owner's lifetime
25. A promise to deliver goods 'if I feel like it' is unenforceable because it is: → An illusory promise lacking as consideration
26. When may character evidence be used to prove conduct? → In criminal cases, the defendant may offer evidence of pertinent good character traits
27. Under Virginia's Uniform Trust Code, the trustee's duty of loyalty requires the trustee to: → Act solely in the interests of the beneficiaries
28. Under Virginia's equitable distribution statute, marital property is generally valued as of what date? → The date of the evidentiary hearing or trial
29. According to Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, which of the following scenarios requires a lawyer to withdraw from representing a client? → The client demands that the lawyer take an unethical action.
30. Under the objective test for determining whether an item has become a fixture, courts primarily consider: → The manner of annexation and the intent as objectively manifested by the circumstances