The Virginia State Bar offers tips to help people put together a will that reflects their objectives. We have guided clients through the process of preparing a will that helps achieve their estate planning goals. Writing your will starts with a thoughtful examination...
Simple Wills
What estate planning moves should you make prior to vacation?
Estate planning is the last thing that anyone wants to think about, particularly before a vacation. However, just before the recreation season, it is important to give some thought to your estate plan. You want to be able to protect your family, regardless of what...
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
Whether you have just started a family or you have recently retired from a job, it is important to have a last will and testament in place. You never know when a tragic accident or catastrophe will warrant the need of this critical legal document. Yet, even if you...
New parents need a will
Since the moment you first found out you were pregnant, you and your husband have been focusing on the miracle of life. However, this is no time to ignore that death is a fact of life, too. New parents need a will. Expectant couples may begin the process even before...
When a person cannot sign a will
In order to properly validate a will, you need to add your signature to it. However, some people have older parents who, although they need to make out a will, suffer from health challenges that do not make it possible to legibly sign a document. Fortunately, Virginia...
What changes your will?
One of the advantages of creating a will is that this document can adapt as your life circumstances change. Even if you are not yet completely sure how you want your assets divided upon your death, creating a will gives you peace of mind that your estate will follow...
Holographic wills in Virginia
A holographic will is one that the testator writes out by hand. Over half of the states in the country, including Virginia, recognize the validity of a holographic will. Eleven states do not recognize holographic wills at all, while nine states recognize them only in...
How to establish a guardianship in Virginia
If your parent or another loved one is no longer able to manage his or her affairs, a guardianship may be the best choice for your family. With this arrangement, the appointed guardian can make decisions about where the person will live, the medical care he or she...
Helping your parent set up a will
For older adults, various daily stressors can get in the way of estate planning. For example, some may be dealing with a lot of stress and financial uncertainty as a result of their retirement, or they may be working through a health issue that drains them of their...
Are holographic wills allowed in Virginia?
In Virginia, there are laws in place that dictate what does or doesn’t make a will valid. If you do not follow these rules, you could potentially risk your entire will being considered invalid. It would, therefore, be disregarded by the court and your wishes will not...
