There are several invaluable reasons to create a trust, especially if you have young children. After an estate planning attorney has established a trust, you can place your assets, money, and property inside it. By doing this, you are funding the trust. When you pass away, a trustee distributes these assets per your instructions. If you have a young child, you can choose when and how they inherit the contents of the Read More

There are many myths about trusts including what they are for and who should use them. Most commonly, it is believed that trusts are only for wealthy individuals or families. This misconception results in too many people missing out on the many benefits of revocable trust planning including probate avoidance, privacy, and creditor protection for their beneficiaries. In addition to this myth, this post explores three Read More

When people hear the term “pet trust,” they may think that it is not possible to create such a trust or that a pet trust is only for extremely wealthy people with very lucky pets. In reality, pet trusts do exist and they are an important tool for every pet owner for both incapacity and death planning. They exist because there is a need to address who will care for your pet if you cannot do so. A pet trust can provide Read More

sad children hugging his mother Naming a guardian for your minor child and your child’s property is a vital (yet often overlooked) element of the estate planning process. Though it may come as a surprise, the person you choose to be the child’s guardian does not have to be the same person who oversees their assets. The person who oversees their assets is referred to as the “Trustee.” Without the proper nomination Read More

Estate planning offers more than you may realize. Experienced attorneys will provide you with various ways to protect your assets while ensuring that your chosen beneficiaries receive them. An overlooked and essential element is that when you create one, you can be prepared for the uncertainties of the future. Everyone is exposed to the risk of being incapacitated. People who must undergo complicated or relatively Read More

People may dismiss the idea of creating an estate plan because they aren’t wealthy or elderly. People who choose to believe that might be underestimating what an estate plan is capable of. For example, young couples may meet with an estate planning attorney because they have chosen a guardian for their child if they should pass away unexpectedly.  An experienced attorney can walk you through ways to even plan for Read More

There is a considerable amount of overlap between a civilian and military divorce. When you file for divorce in Virginia, a court will be following the equitable distribution laws of Virginia. However, applying these laws to someone serving the military (or another branch of government) may be complicated. For instance, Virginia requires you or your spouse to reside here for at least six months before you can file Read More