Key Takeaways:
- Everyone would benefit from an estate plan regardless of age or wealth.
- Having a local Virginia lawyer help with your estate plan is a great way to stay compliant with the Commonwealth’s unique rules and regulations.
- The Virginia laws of intestate succession do not always coincide with one’s wishes, so having a will in place is essential.
- In an estate plan, you need to include power of attorney, advance medical directive, and a will.
A key point is that you have to have these documents BEFORE you need them because once you need them, you can’t get them.
Creating an estate plan and deciding which documents to draft can be daunting if you try to do it yourself. However, an estate plan is essential, as it allows one to protect their possessions and savings should the worst come to pass. To properly plan for your family’s future and protect your assets, you need an estate plan drafted with the help of an experienced attorney.
At Virginia Beach Law Group, our experienced professionals have worked with estate planning law in the state for years. Our attorneys can help you create a well-detailed estate plan that will keep your family’s future protected and avoid fighting over assets. Take a closer look at how Virginia Beach Law Group can help with all your estate planning needs.
Why Clients Choose Virginia Beach Law Group
Virginia Beach Law Group has extensive experience working in estate planning within Virginia, abiding by the unique state laws that set this area apart from the rest of the country. We strive to meet our clients exact needs drafting wills and documents that accurately represent what our clients want for their family’s future.
Our team has worked with complicated cases in the past and can offer customized solutions unique to each individual situation. Handling estate planning in scenarios with multiple marriages and children from different people is incredibly difficult to take on without a lawyer, but our team is happy to work out the details for you. Take a closer look at what some of our previous clients had to say.
Testimonials
“Mr. Johnson is an amazing lawyer. He has a great personality, professional ethics, honesty, and integrity. He is extremely upfront and helpful with his advice which steers his clients for the high road. He showed that he had our best interest in mind, especially once we were in the courtroom. Mr. Johnson not only went above and beyond, but took the extra time to get the situation resolved. If anyone is looking for an amazing attorney who cares about your best interest, choose him! We couldn’t thank him enough for what he’s done!!” – Taylor R.
“Best Law Firm in the Hampton Roads area! Very diligent, professional and friendly. David Johnson and his team are second to none and you are sure to be a winner when you retain his firm. A total team effort with no stones left unturned. Thank you for making a difficult situation easy.” – Jeff O.
“Our lawyer at Virginia Beach Law Group was very professional and courteous in preparing our wills for my wife and me. I highly recommend her for your legal needs in her area of expertise.” – Robert R.
Why You Need an Estate Plan
Everyone needs an estate plan regardless of age or the size of one’s estate. As long as you have any possessions whatsoever, having an estate plan will allow your possessions to be distributed in accordance with your wishes. After all, the distribution will default to Virginia’s standard strategy without an estate plan in place, and that rarely coincides with what people actually want.
Leaving a well-written estate plan minimizes the likelihood of disagreement among your loved ones.
Additionally, an estate plan can create a plan for dealing with the end of your life regarding healthcare and who can make decisions on your behalf. An estate plan can also include an executor who will make sure that your wishes are carried out after you’re gone in accordance with your will.
The following reasons justify an estate plan for all ages and wealth statuses:
- Asset distribution
- Healthcare planning
- Future investment of finances and accounts
- Arranged trusts
- Executor designation
- Arrange guardianship for minors
- Future business protection
- Avoid high taxes
- Arrange for charitable gifts
Legal Services Our Office Provides
Virginia Beach Law Group offers a range of services related to estate planning and elder law for those in Chesapeake.
- Wills
- Living Wills (Medical Directives)
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Trusts
- Guardianship and Conservatorships
Additional Resources
- Virginia Wills and Estate Planning Q&A – Take a look at some of the most common questions people tend to have about estate planning in the state of Virginia.
- Expected Costs of Estate Planning in Virginia Beach – Discover how much estate planning in Virginia tends to cost, and see why the cost is ultimately worth it for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wills and Estate Planning
Do I Need an Attorney to Write a Will?
You do not need an attorney to write a will, but you will need one if you want the will to be a good one. Specifically, a legal professional will know how to phrase certain aspects of a will to accurately portray your wishes. Homemade wills often lead to unintended consequences. Additionally, the attorney will know what to include so you don’t leave anything important out. Opting for a lawyer serving Chesapeake residents will also help you abide by the specific local regulations regarding wills.
What Legal Documents Make Up an Estate Plan?
The most important legal documents in an estate plan are the power of attorney, an advanced medical directive, and a will. While not everyone will need a trust, everyone will likely need the aforementioned three legal documents.
What Happens If a Family Member Dies Without a Will?
If a family member dies without a will, then the default Virginia laws of intestate succession come into effect. This succession of the assets of the deceased is as follows:
- Surviving spouse of the decedent (split ⅔ to surviving children of the decedent who are not children of the surviving spouse)
- Children of the decedent and their descendants
- The decedent’s parent(s)
- The decedent’s siblings and their descendants
- The decedent’s grandparent(s)
- The decedent’s uncles, aunts, and their descendants
- The decedent’s great grandparent(s)
- The siblings of the decedent’s great grandparent(s)
- Nearest lineal ancestor and their descendants
- Escheat to the Commonwealth of Virginia
Why Do Some Families Contest a Will?
Family members most often contest a will because they do not agree with how the inheritance is set up. By defeating a decedent’s will, the rules of intestate descent will take over, and sometimes the survivors prefer that.
Visit Our Office and Make Plans For Your Future
Virginia Beach Law Group offers estate planning services for Chesapeake families driven by years of experience and intimate knowledge of the particular rules and regulations unique to the state of Virginia. Get in touch with our team today to get started by calling 757-486-4529 or by filling out our online contact form.
