Virginia Estate Planning Lawyer
Are you looking for an attorney to help you create your estate plan? We offer a no cost / no obligation
initial consultation with an attorney to discuss how we can help. You can also download a copy of our free book on estate planning and other helpful resources.
Estate Planning
We help clients cut through the complexities of estate planning to create a professionally crafted estate plan. Our focus is on making access to assistance with your case easy and affordable. Our process is designed to make it easy for clients to work with an attorney and create their plan quickly and conveniently.
What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is the process of organizing your legal and financial affairs so your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes if you become incapacitated or pass away.
A good estate plan doesn’t just address death—it also protects you during your lifetime.
Free Consultation Available
Click on the link below to schedule your free consultation with an attorney or call us at (703) 249-9007.
What documents are included in a typical Virginia Estate Plan?
Most comprehensive plans include:
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Last Will and Testament – directs who inherits your assets and names guardians for minor children
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Revocable Living Trust (optional, but common) – helps avoid probate and manage assets during incapacity
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Durable Power of Attorney – allows someone to handle financial matters
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Advance Medical Directive – outlines healthcare wishes and appoints a decision-maker
Each document plays a different role, and they work together as a system.
What documents are included in a typical Virginia Estate Plan?
Probate is the court-supervised process of administering your estate.
The complexity of probate increases as the complexity of your estate increases. In some cases clients wish to avoid probate out of concern that the process can be too lengthy, too administratively burdensome or too public. In other cases, probate can be streamlined and less of a concern.
Many people use trusts or beneficiary designations to minimize or avoid probate, but avoidance isn’t always necessary—it depends on your goals.
What is a revocable living trust, and do I need one?
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement where you place assets into a trust during your lifetime.
Benefits can include:
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Avoiding probate
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Maintaining privacy
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Easier management if you become incapacitated
You may benefit from a trust if you:
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Own real estate in multiple states
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Want to simplify administration for your family
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Prefer privacy over a public probate process
How does an estate plan protect my children?
If you have minor children, estate planning allows you to:
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Name a guardian to raise them
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Create a trust to manage their inheritance
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Control when and how they receive money
"Professional, responsive, and exceptionally knowledgeable. Chris helped us navigate the entire process efficiently. I can’t say enough good things about his work, and would recommend him to anyone."
-Hannah S.
"Mr. Mays took my call today and answered my questions regarding some needed advice. He was understanding regarding the situation. Extremely knowledgeable and very nice. Highly recommend!"
-Clayton J.
"So thorough and easy! Chris was so great to work with, had great communication, and addressed all of our needs and beyond! He did a great job listening to us and explaining things in a way we could understand."
-Matthew R.
What is a Power of Attorney, and why is it important?
A General Durable Power of Attorney allows someone you trust to handle financial and legal matters if you’re unable to do so.
Without one:
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Your family may need to go to court for a conservatorship
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This process can be expensive and time-consuming
What is an Advance Directive?
An advance medical directive (also called a healthcare directive or healthcare power of attorney) allows you to:
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State your medical treatment preferences
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Appoint someone to make healthcare decisions for you
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