Your Northern Virginia Estate Planning Lawyer
Wills, Trusts, and Probate for People with Modest Estate Planning Needs
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy - everyone should have a plan for taking care of what matters most. The Herndon Law Firm offers straightforward estate planning services for people who need to protect who and what is important to them. From a simple will to a designation of guardianship, we can help you get whatever legal protections you need in place. Whether you are starting from scratch or need to update an existing plan, a Northern Virginia estate planning attorney from The Herndon Law Firm can help.
Our Approach
Good estate planning starts with a conversation. We get to know you, what matters to you, and what your hopes are for the future. From there, we help you inventory all of your assets that should be accounted for in thinking about the future. We can also help you choose a personal representative and a guardian for your dependents. We then draft the documents for your review to ensure that they serve your needs, answering any questions that you may have and making any requested revisions. We then make the arrangements to ensure that your documents are properly executed according to Virginia law.
Wills
For most people, a well-drafted last will and testament will provide all of the protection they need. Your will can determine who will inherit your assets after you die and make sure that those who depend on you are taken care of. Without a will, you risk your estate administered according to Virginia’s intestate succession laws. This means that your assets will be distributed in a way that may not necessarily align with your wishes.
Trusts are a popular option in estate planning practice. Trusts offer a variety of benefits over the traditional last will and testament, even for people with modest estates. They offer considerable flexibility and allow you to bypass the probate process. That said, they aren’t necessarily for everyone. We can review your situation and discuss whether creating a trust makes sense for you. Whether you need a will or a trust, an estate planning lawyer from The Herndon Law Firm can help.
Advanced Medical Directives
These are documents that direct your medical care in the event that you become incapacitated and are unable to make decisions on your own behalf. They can provide much-needed guidance to your loved ones during one of the most difficult times of their lives concerning your care and end-of-life decision. We can help you draft a medical directive that will provide the guidance your loved ones need.
Powers of Attorney
Powers of attorney allow someone to make decisions on your behalf. A healthcare power of attorney is often part of an advanced medical directive, appointing someone to make decisions concerning your medical care. A financial power of attorney allows someone else to make financial decisions on your behalf once you are no longer able to. Having the right powers of attorney in place can bring peace of mind for your loved ones and simplify the administration of your estate.
