Estate Planning

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....

Many people show up to their first estate planning meeting with good intentions and zero paperwork, you included. Then you watch your Arlington, Virginia attorney spend an hour asking questions that a single folder could have answered. You leave without a finished...

Life rarely stays the same for long. When major events occur in Virginia, your estate plan may no longer reflect your wishes or comply with current Virginia law. Why major life changes should trigger an update An estate plan works best when it reflects your current...

Some people decide to add Totten trusts to their comprehensive estate plans. It’s a wise strategy for many with beneficiaries who may not be traditional or legally-protected heirs. As Totten trusts are not actually trusts, but payable-on-death accounts, beneficiaries...

Going through a divorce necessitates updating legal documents to reflect your new status. And one of those documents is your will. You need to update provisions in your estate planning documents that benefit your former spouse. Here is what you should know: Automatic...

Many people assume estate planning is something to handle later in life. In reality, creating an estate plan often makes sense much earlier than most expect. Estate planning can start when you become a legal adult In Virginia, you can create a valid will once you...