Estate Planning

Writing your will, drafting financial and healthcare powers of attorney, and ensuring you have a living will in place are all steps that give you and your family the peace of mind that comes with careful estate planning. However, if you and your loved ones do not have a secure, memorable, and accessible place to store these documents, you may…Read More

For many people, the idea of planning what to do with their estate can seem like an overwhelming amount of work. They may also be worried about the expense involved. Furthermore, nobody enjoys thinking about their own death or about how their loved ones will go on after the fact. However, it is an eventuality that will come to us…Read More

Thinking about what will happen if your physical or mental health starts to decline can be a daunting prospect. Even more overwhelming can be the idea of imagining how the people you love will manage after you die. However, it is important to plan for these eventualities to ensure that your affairs will remain under control while you’re still alive…Read More

Right now, there are billions of dollars worth of unclaimed property across the United States. This is because sometimes a person dies without having accounted for all their assets, which they may have accidentally forgotten or abandoned. The good news is that it is often possible for family members or estate administrators to locate and obtain this property so that…Read More

Women face unique challenges when establishing their estate plans. Your needs and values may be different than those of your male counterparts. Creating a solid estate plan involves addressing these issues so that you don’t face hardships years down the road. While no one wants to dwell on what their death will look like or how it will impact their…Read More

Estate planning can seem overwhelming and confusing, especially when it comes to leaving assets to minors. Often, parents or grandparents want to include children in their estate plan and leave an inheritance for them. Yet, how can you give a gift to a minor and ensure that they will get it? Can you be sure that your gift won’t be…Read More

If you are a first responder – police officer, firefighter, EMT, etc. – you put your life at risk every day when you go to work. Beyond the workplace, the high level of occupational stress also puts you at greater risk for long-term health problems, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, cancer, and suicide. That is why first responders…Read More

If you are a widow or widower, meeting a new partner after the death of a spouse can bring a mixed bag of emotions. Having a refreshed sense of hope about the future in the wake of a major loss may even feel exciting and invigorating. However, as unromantic as it might seem, it is important to remain aware of…Read More

If your estate plan includes a revocable living trust, you may consider including a pour-over will to ensure that any remaining assets transfer to your trust when you die. This can simplify the probate process, saving your family time and money. Managing the deceased person’s finances can be an added stress for a family during their time of grief, so…Read More

Northern Virginia estate planning lawyers are often asked by their clients to explain what comprises a basic estate plan. Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to this question because an estate plan all depends on the situation and the needs of the individual. For instance, a basic estate plan for one person might include a Revocable Living Trust, while for another,…Read More