Estate Planning

One of the things that motivates many younger adults to begin the estate planning process is the birth or adoption of a child. It is always wise to obtain or update wills when your first child comes along, so you can choose a legal guardian for them in case something...

Estate plans typically include a will that itemizes a testator's assets and a list of people who will inherit them. A will may also name an executor of the estate, who will perform all the necessary actions of preparing the estate for distribution, such as validating...

The contents of your estate planning documents determine who acts on your behalf in an emergency and also your legacy when you die.  If you have these documents in place, you likely put a lot of consideration into them, and so you might take for granted that you have...

Estate planning is often associated with old age. However, it’s never too early to have an estate plan. Given the unpredictability of life, you are better off with a proper arrangement of how your affairs should be handled if you become incapacitated or no longer...

A will is a key component of any estate plan. It can designate who will inherit assets once its creator has passed away. It can also serve other functions such as naming a legal guardian to look after young children after the deaths of their parents. However, a will...

Nobody relishes the prospect of talking about death, and this is why many people avoid estate planning. Some people attempt to avoid the stress of confiding in family members and seeking assistance by drafting a will on their own. While this is legal in Virginia, is...

When you hear the term “estate plan,” you may think it’s only for older people or those with a high net worth. However, you may not realize that this couldn’t be further from the truth.  The truth is, there are a lot of misconceptions floating around about estate...

If a family member or friend has asked you to be the executor or trustee of their estate, you know that means they trust you with a big responsibility. But do you know if you should take it on? Even if the person is developing a clear, detailed estate plan with the...

If you create an estate plan, it means you have done the responsible thing and planned for your family’s future. However, you may not realize that estate plans aren’t “set-it-and-forget-it” documents. Because of this, regular updates are needed to keep things...

Estate planning isn’t listed on most wedding planning checklists in books or on websites, and it’s probably not in your top 10 to-do list right now. It’s more likely you want to focus on kicking up your heels on your honeymoon, settling into your new routine as...