Estate Planning

If you have an estate plan, then congratulations are in order. You have completed a task that almost two-thirds of American adults haven’t even begun. But did you realize that updating your estate plan is just as important? It’s easy to forget about your estate plan...

Parents creating estate plans often want to leave as much as they can for their children. That is as true for those with adult children as it is for parents concerned about protecting minors in the event of a tragedy. For many Virginia parents, the home where they...

A power of attorney (POA) lets you decide who manages your money and healthcare if you cannot speak for yourself. Without one, a judge decides for you. Your family may spend months in court and thousands of dollars to gain authority over your own accounts. That delay...

Many parents assume that their children will eventually inherit family assets simply because “that’s what we intended.” Unfortunately, second marriages often inspire estate planning problems that families don’t see coming.  Without careful planning, children from a...

Close-knit families often assume that disagreements over money and property only happen to other people. Unfortunately, even close siblings may find themselves divided after the loss of a parent or loved one. Grief has an unfortunate way of magnifying old tensions,...

The goal of estate planning is to provide clear instructions, limit conflict and establish a meaningful personal legacy. Wills play a critical role in modern estate planning. For some people, a will is the only document they draft. Even those with robust estate plans...

When parents think about leaving an inheritance to their children, they often picture it helping them build a secure and stable future. A financial gift can help create opportunities, provide comfort during difficult times and carry on a family legacy for generations....

Blended families begin when parents with children from previous relationships decide to marry. This new dynamic may create a challenging transition. In addition to the shifting interpersonal dynamics within the household, there are also unique legal and financial...

When an individual passes away, families often assume their belongings will naturally go to the people who were closest to them. It may feel like an unspoken understanding that everything will be able to fall into place without much complication. In reality, the...

Planning for the future involves making important decisions about how your assets will be handled. Two of the most common tools used in estate planning are wills and trusts. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes and offer distinct benefits....