Estate planning is not just one afternoon of dedicated dictation. You have a lot to work through when it comes to communicating with your family and making sure your will describes your wishes clearly. In the event that you change your mind about any of it, you may...
Wills
3 reasons to consider a revocable living trust
When you create your Virginia estate plan, you have many different avenues through which to make arrangements. While a will is an important foundation for any estate plan, there are limits to what you may do with a will. Sometimes, you may have specific goals in mind...
What is a codicil?
Your wishes may change over the years, which means your will may change as well. There are several ways to update your will including making a whole new will to replace the old one or going through the process of altering your current will. Another method is to make a...
How are revocable and irrevocable living trusts different?
There are multitudes of ways to organize your estate, and trusts are a powerful component of that. There are many things that trusts can do that wills cannot, and most estate planners benefit from making use of trusts. The two varieties of a living trust are revocable...
What things cannot go in a will?
Putting together a will is an important first step when you create your estate plan. This document allows you to dictate how to distribute your personal property after your death. According to a recent Gallup poll, only 46% of Americans have created a will. If you...
Important estate planning documents other than your will
There is a lot more to estate planning than writing out your last will and testament. If you want to ensure your heirs can follow out your wishes in the quickest and most effective manner after your passing, you will need to provide as much detail about your estate as...
What can a trust accomplish that a will cannot?
While a will is a part of most Virginia estate plans, far fewer state residents have trusts. However, trusts offer many different benefits, depending on the type of trust you establish. There are also many things a will does not do that a trust might be able to help...
How often should you update your will?
Have you written a will but are unsure when to update it? In general, you should go over your will every five years with an estate attorney. Besides regular checkups, you should also keep track of significant life events and incorporate them into your updated will. If...
Should you name your child as your trustee?
There are many reasons to create a trust. You probably have family members you want to provide for or you want to spare your family a lengthy period in probate. You may even know who you want as your trustee. Perhaps you wish to name a son or daughter. However,...
Intestate succession in Virginia
If you are like many people in Virginia (and throughout the rest of the U.S., for that matter), then you likely have yet to begin the process of planning out your estate. Your reasons may be due to you not wanting to upset any potential beneficiaries. You may think it...