Virginia Estate Planning Attorney
What Can a Virginia Estate Planning Attorney do For You?
Do you have an estate plan? Are you waiting until you get married, buy a home, begin a family, or obtain a higher-paying job to begin estate planning? If so, I strongly urge you not to wait any longer. Everyone needs an estate plan regardless of their financial or family situation. Estate plans include much more than just a simple will. Your estate plan provides for your incapacitation besides your death. Your plan also protects your property and provides for your retirement and your heirs. As an experienced Virginia Estate Planning attorney, I can help you develop your estate plan to meet your goals, needs, and desires.
Virginia Powers Of Attorney
Do you need a Power of Attorney? A Virginia Estate Planning attorney will review the powers of attorney available and the pros and cons of each power of attorney. Powers of attorney allow you to authorize an agent to decide for you. You can also give someone the power to make health care decisions for you, including decisions related to end-of-life medical treatment. By utilizing powers of attorney, you may avoid the need for a court-appointed guardian or conservator. Learn more...
Virginia Wills
If you have no other estate document, you need a will. A will is typically the core of your estate plan. Failing to execute a valid will may cause unnecessary stress, time, and cost for your family because of the need to file an intestate estate. Instead of allowing Virginia intestate laws to decide how to distribute your property after your death, talk to a Virginia Estate Planning attorney about drafting a will soon. Learn more...
Virginia Trust Preparation
Trust agreements can reduce estate taxes when used correctly. In addition, trust agreements can protect your assets from your creditors and your heirs’ creditors. There are many types of trust agreements you can use during your lifetime and after your death. Review the types of trust agreements available with a Virginia Estate Planning attorney. Your attorney can guide you in choosing the correct trust based on your goals and needs. Learn more...
Virginia Probate Administration
Administering a probate estate can be overwhelming, especially if the person died without a will, has substantial assets, or involves probate litigation. A personal representative may hire a Virginia Estate Planning attorney to represent the personal representative and the estate. A probate administration attorney prepares the documents to probate the estate while advising the personal representative about his or her duties and probate law. Learn more...
Virginia Guardianships
A guardianship may be necessary to protect an adult unable to make financial, personal, or medical decisions because of a physical or mental impairment. Guardianships for minors include guardian of the person (responsible for the care and well-being of the child), guardian of the estate (responsible for the minor’s property), and testamentary guardian (named in a will to manage inheritance and/or care for a child).
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Virginia Qualified Domestic Relations Order
The division of retirement accounts during a divorce is often a highly contested matter. Both parties allege they are entitled to a portion of the retirement account. However, obtaining the funds from a retirement account can be very difficult. The retirement plan may not permit distributions before retirement, or the distribution could be subject to substantial penalties and taxes. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is used when the court awards a percentage of the retirement account to a non-owner. Learn More...
Estate Planning: Top 50 Questions Answered
Estate planning can be an uncomfortable and overwhelming process. It doesn’t have to be. Armed with the information you need, estate planning can be an empowering process that takes a load of stress off of you and your family. Get the answers to the top 50 estate-planning questions from an experienced Maryland estate-planning attorney.