A will is a document that contains directions for the distribution of your property upon your death. A will can contain a variety of provisions, including directives regarding personal property, real property, guardianship of minors and testamentary trusts. If you pass away without a will, your estate will be distributed according to the current applicable Virginia statutes. We can help you determine whether your current will is sufficient, or if you do not have one, we can help you draft a will that contains the provisions you desire.

A revocable trust is a written document that provides the same essential functions of a will, while adding the benefits of continued control over your assets, the ability to easily change or revoke its provisions, and the potential to greatly reduce the tax burden on your estate. In addition, a trust can greatly reduce and even eliminate the need for your assets to go through the probate process upon your death – which saves time and money. We recommend a complete review of your current estate to determine whether a trust would be right for your needs.

An advance medical directive is a legal document that sets forth your desires regarding certain medical decisions, and authorizes one or more persons to make certain medical decisions on your behalf if you are permanently incapacitated. Decisions regarding organ donation, life support, resuscitation, feeding tubes, and other life-prolonging procedures are very personal. We recommend having a document that speaks to all of your concerns, and lets your family and care providers know exactly what you want.

A power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes one or more persons to act on your behalf. Depending on your needs, the power of attorney can be general or specific, temporary or durable. We recommend that everyone have a power of attorney in place to designate who should take care of your personal and /or financial concerns in the event that you are unavailable or incapacitated.

An essential part of any estate plan is the transfer of property. If you create a trust it will only be useful if it is funded with the appropriate assets. If you create a will, you may need additional documents to ensure that your estate includes only the assets you desire. We can assist you in transferring your assets to the right place, so that your estate plan is complete.