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...
Experienced, Compassionate and Effective Advocacy
Estate Planning
What is a power of attorney?
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...
3 crucial estate planning steps for those about to divorce
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...
It’s not too soon to start your estate planning
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...
When can a last will and testament be contested?
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...
Why creating your own will might be a bad idea
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...
Don’t believe these 2 estate planning fallacies
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...
Are you really prepared to be an executor or trustee?
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...
When is it time to update your estate plan?
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...
Newly married? Give yourself the gift of estate planning
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...