Virginia Estate Planning Lawyer

Everyone’s circumstance is different, and a cookie-cutter, boilerplate estate plan that many firms offer does not do justice to the client’s life work which is being protected. Our firm marries our technological advantages with personalized client attention to provide the best services possible. Our Virginia estate planning lawyers work with you to design a personalized plan to ensure your assets are protected, and your wishes are fulfilled.

The Services Our Estate Planning Attorneys Provide Include

• Business Succession Planning
• Conservatorship
• Elder Law 
• Estate Administration
• Financial Powers of Attorney
• Guardianship
• Medicaid Planning
• Medical Power of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directive
• Personal Injury Settlement Consulting
• Probate
• Special Needs Planning
• Trusts
• Trust and Estate Litigation
• Wills

What is an Estate Plan?

An estate plan is usually thought of as a few documents put together to legally redistribute assets and finances like life insurance, real estate, and personal belongings after someone dies, in the form of a last will and testament. While the last will and testament are crucial, there are other legal documents that need to be drafted to complete the full estate plan. These documents consider the needs of family members, the property and other assets you own, your personal wishes, and even end-of-life planning, such as an Advance Medical Directive. It is an incredibly individualized process that requires a seasoned estate planning attorney in Virginia to complete successfully.

Who Needs an Estate Planning Attorney?

Everyone needs a personalized plan for his or her estate. It does not matter your net worth – that just determines what is involved in creating the plan; that you need one is without question. An estate planning lawyer in Virginia wants to help you create the best plan for your circumstances, from the modest estate to a more comprehensive plan involving complex tax considerations and multiple trust documents.

Do I Really Need an Estate Plan?

Yes, you do. It is a common misconception that only elderly people need to have estate plans, when really, it is wise for everyone over the age of 18 to have one in place in case of an emergency. When deciding if you need to create an estate plan, try and answer these questions for yourself:

• Do you want to make sure your belongings and assets are given to the right people?
• Do you want to ensure that someone you trust is handling your money and financial records?
• Do you want some of your finances to be donated to a charity you are passionate about?
• Do you want to decrease the chances of loss of your assets from estate taxes?
• Do you want to be able to control whether you are to be given CPR, or other life-saving choices regarding your health in an emergency?
• Is there someone in your life with special needs that you want to financially support?
• Is there someone you trust to make difficult choices regarding your health care for you?
• Do you want to protect your family from having to make the decision to “pull the plug?”

If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, it would be wise for you to create an estate plan. Without one, if you die, your family must guess your final wishes; or, you are leaving your assets in the hands of Virginia written law. Because these default laws may never truly satisfy your best interests, it is important to contact a skilled Virginia attorney to help you draft an estate plan.

Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Probate Attorneys at Parks Zeigler

Our legal team of Virginia estate planning attorneys is committed to making the often-confusing process of wills, estates, and estate planning easy to understand for our clients. From the paralegals to the wills and trusts lawyers, we believe in a hands-on approach to ensure every issue is highlighted, addressed, and that the estate plan that is generated is the perfect fit for each individual client.

Benefits of Having an Estate Plan

No matter your age or net worth, there are many benefits that ensue from having a solid estate plan in place. Besides having peace of mind, some of the other benefits include:

• Your assets will be guarded.
• You may be able to reduce your tax liability.
• You have the chance to decrease family conflict.
• Your family’s time and money are protected.
• Your final interests and wishes will be respected.
• You have a plan set in case of incapacity.

Understanding the Probate Process

What happens if you or a loved one dies without an estate plan? If you or a loved one dies without an estate plan completed, the belongings and finances will be redistributed based on written Virginia law. The process is public, time-consuming, and can be expensive for the family. The final wishes of the deceased may not be fully implemented, and it can be an excessively difficult process for the family. Though this can be frustrating, the talented estate plan lawyers at Parks Zeigler will work with you or your loved ones going through the Virginia probate process.

Protect Your Legacy and Interests by Contacting our Virginia Estate Planning Attorneys Today

For a consultation with an experienced estate planning lawyer, please contact our office.