Top best Estate Planning Lawyers Near me in ZIP 20191

We have represented clients across Virginia and beyond for many years. From starting a business, growing a business, and selling a business, to helping the owners, their families and others with planning and implementing the disposition of their estate, to guiding families through probate or the administration of an estate or trust, it has been and continues to be a pleasure to serve each of our clients.. How can we help you, your business and/or your family?

Stephanie has been a practicing attorney for over 22 years, and she firmly believes that everyone needs an estate plan. She is a member of the bars in Virginia and Washington, D.C., and is also a seasoned litigator with experience in complex commercial contract litigation, government contracts, and construction law, as well as negotiating and drafting commercial contracts. She is Of Counsel for Jennifer Porter Law, PLLC, focusing her practice on estate planning.. Stephanie originally hails from Louisiana but grew up living around the world with her military family. After college at the University of Miami and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, she met her husband, a proud Navy man, before moving across the country to Virginia. She attended George Washington University School of Law, where she was the Executive Notes Editor of the International Law Review. After more than a decade of practice as a litigator, Stephanie co-founded Blue Star Families, an influential nonprofit supporting military families.. Stephanie now lives in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia with her husband and three boys, expanding Jennifer Porter Law's practice across the Commonwealth. She strongly believes in giving back to the community and is an active volunteer, having served as the president of the board of directors for her children’s swim club, PTA secretary, high school band booster club treasurer and secretary, and contracts chair for the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach.. In her spare time, Stephanie also serves as a stroke and turn official for USA Swimming, the Virginia High School League, the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association, and the Virginia Beach Swim League. On the weekend, you can find Steph and her family on the pool deck at swim meets or cheering on Virginia Tech at football games. (But she still roots for the Canes when Miami and Virginia Tech face off!). Associations & Court Admissions:. Commonwealth of Virginia BarDistrict of Columbia BarCourt of Appeals for the 4th CircuitCourt of Appeals for the Federal CircuitCourt of Appeals for the District of Columbia CircuitCourt of Federal ClaimsEastern District of VirginiaDistrict Court for the District of Columbia

Since being admitted to the Virginia State Bar, Molly Garrett's practice has focused solely on estate planning and administration, domestic relations, and family law matters. Ms. Garrett represents clients in the Circuit Courts and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts in the Northern Virginia area.. On the estate planning side, Ms. Garrett has extensive experience in estate planning, including preparation of trusts, wills, powers of attorneys, special needs trusts and the like as well as more complex estate planning for high asset families including Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRAT), Residence Trusts, Charitable Remainder UniTrusts (CRUT) and Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLAT). She also has assisted families in handling guardianship and conservatorship matters.. Ms. Garrett is a graduate of George Mason University and received her Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law, in White Plains, New York. She is admitted to practice law in Virginia and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.. Ms. Garrett is an active member of the Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (VAELA),the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), the Fairfax County Bar Association, the Alexandria Bar Association and the Virginia Women's Attorneys Association (where she is the past President of the Northern Virginia Chapter 2016-2017 and previously served as Secretary and Judicial Chair for many years). She previously served as the Chair of the Family Law Section of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.. She is a Top Lawyer according to the Washingtonian Magazine and Nothern Virginia Magazine.. In 2016, Ms. Garrett was inducted as member of Ten Leaders - Matrimonial and Divorce Law, Age 45 & Under. Ms. Garrett has also been included in the Top 50 Women Virginia Super Lawyers List and has been designated as a Top Rated Attorney in Super Lawyers® every year since 2014.. Ms. Garrett has authored many articles including those which have been published in the Virginia Family Law Quarterly published by the Family Law Section of Virginia State Bar, Virginia Lawyers Weekly and Fairfax Woman Magazine.. Ms. Garrett has organized, prepared and hosted Continuing Legal Education classes for many organizations including the Fairfax Bar Association and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.. Ms. Garrett is a member of the Old Dominion Boat Club in the City of Alexandria, Virginia.

Schedule a complimentary phone consultation online.. Alvi advises individuals and families on the design and preparation of estate plans, wealth transfer taxes (estate, gift, generation-skipping), the administration of trusts and estates after a death, guardianships and conservatorships of adults, the out-of-court resolution of disputed matters, the modification and termination of irrevocable trusts, the transition of family businesses, the formation and operation of LLCs and other business entities, and other matters.

Sara Barr Entis, Attorney (Licensed in VA, DC and MD). Like Evan, Sara attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1992.  Sara then received her law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law in 1997.  Sara handles Probate and Trust administration for the Farr Law Firm, and is also part of our Estate Planing and Elder Law team. Sara lives in Great Falls with her two children, two dogs and three cats.  She enjoys hiking, reading, travel, riding on rollercoasters with her son, and cooking with her daughter.

Richard E. Phillips is an Associate Attorney at PJI Law. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from James Madison University, Mr. Phillips obtained his Juris Doctor Degree from the George Mason University School of Law. He is currently admitted to practice in all Virginia state courts as well as the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.. Mr. Phillips specializes in estate planning and estate administration law. Whether clients choose to create estate plans based on a Revocable Living Trust or a Last Will & Testament, he makes sure each client’s estate plan is customized to that particular client’s needs and family situation. Mr. Phillips has conducted hundreds of speaking engagements to the general public about the benefits of proper estate planning for families. He has also lectured on estate planning topics to lawyers, accountants, tax professionals, and people walking by his favorite park bench.. In addition to his extensive estate planning experience, Mr. Phillips has represented clients in business litigation and transactional matters, and in small business planning. Among the highlights of his career is his participation in the investigation of suspicious claims and identities related to the BP oil spill claims process.

Rebecca Geller is President/CEO of The Geller Law Group. She is a seasoned lawyer committed to providing affordable, high-quality legal services to businesses and families. In April 2015, The Washingtonian Magazine selected Rebecca as a “person we would like to have dinner with.” She has been in numerous tv interviews such as MSNBC Your Small Business and the Washington Business Report program to offer legal advice to entrepreneurs. Well known for her legal experience and activism, Rebecca was selected as a 2015 Rising Star Super Lawyer and was recognized by the Washington Post magazine for this award. In 2015, was interviewed by a multitude of news outlets including the WTOP Radio and The Washington Post for her leadership in drafting and successfully passing Virginia legislation that now makes it legal for a woman to breastfeed a child in public places. Rebecca is involved in the community as a lawyer and activist and regularly gives speeches and presentations to organizations and groups about legal issues impacting families, individuals, and business owners.. Before launching her own law firm in 2011, Rebecca worked as a corporate lawyer at a major international law firm representing Fortune 500 companies. Her experience is varied, including work with wills/trusts, corporate, trademark, family law, litigation, housing, political law, telecommunications, employment, and non-profits. Rebecca’s clients include families, individuals and businesses from all walks of life. She has vast experience working with businesses from all industries including restaurants, technology companies, internet start-ups, health and wellness businesses, medical practices, landscaping and home construction contractors, family care providers, media and communications firms, government contractors, mortgage companies, financial advisors, entertainment personalities, and everything in between.

Paul J. Abraham is the founder and CEO of PJI Law. After growing up in Northern Virginia, Mr. Abraham earned two academic majors at Cornell University and came back to Northern Virginia to obtain a Juris Doctor degree at the George Mason University School of Law.. Mr. Abraham has represented clients in trusts & estates, litigation, and business law for over ten years. Additionally, Mr. Abraham has been an active participant in several legal pro bono programs, including the Family Legal Assistance Project, Wills on Wheels, and the Housing Law Project, aside from providing business coaching advice.. Mr. Abraham has appeared on several radio and television shows, and his written work as a nationally syndicated columnist has been published in newspapers from coast to coast. He has been quoted in forums ranging from the nation’s leading talk radio shows to the pages of work appearing on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Mr. Abraham has earned Avvo’s Clients’ Choice award multiple times. He has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers (every year from 2016 through 2025), Top 40 Under 40 in Virginia by both the National Trial Lawyers (every year from 2014 through 2025) and the National Advocates (every year from 2017 through 2024), Top 10 Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Probate Law by the National Advocates (every year from 2017 through 2024), Virginia Top 10 - Business Tort by the National Trial Lawyers (every year from 2019 through 2025), Legal Elite by Virginia Business Magazine in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, Top Attorney by Arlington Magazine in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024, Top 10 Probate & Estate by the National Trial Lawyers Association in 2025, and has a rating of “Superb” from Avvo, the highest rating it confers.

My philosophy as a lawyer is to establish a strong attorney-client relationship.  My goal is to connect with each client and deliver quality work, personalized service, and exceptional value.  As your counselor and representative, you can be confident that everything possible will be done to protect your rights. You will receive individual attention through every part of the legal process in order to achieve your goals quickly and efficiently.  Please contact me to discuss your legal issues, strategies, and solutions in a straightforward and collaborative manner. I am currently located in Fairfax, Virginia and serve the Northern Virginia area.  My practice focuses primarily on Juvenile and Family Law, Elder Law and Estate Planning, and Immigration Law matters. Contact me today to get the legal representation you deserve!

Mr. Langone has been practicing law for twenty-five years and has been in the Northern Virginia Area since 1999. Mr. Langone was employed in the financial service and insurance industries before his legal career. After graduation from law school, Mr. Langone had a successful career as a prosecutor in the state of Florida and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mr. Langone's areas of practice have included contract and insurance disputes, business and construction law, commercial litigation, class actions, bankruptcy law, and personal injury including toxic mold, and wrongful death. Mr. Langone has extensive civil litigation and trial experience in state and federal courts in VA, DC and MD and has performed a broad spectrum of litigation including intense document review for legal sufficiency, discovery, and depositions. Mr. Langone has provided legal support to many businesses in the area and acted as their general counsel in managing litigation. Mr. Langone has served in the United States Coast Guard, Auxiliary as a legal assistance attorney and as a Staff Judge Advocate in the Virginia State Guard, commonly known as the Virginia Defense Force.

Melinda provides holistic multi-generational income and wealth transfer tax planning advice and estate and trust services to individuals, families, and business owners. She also advises fiduciaries and beneficiaries on probate and estate and trust administration, and serves as a technical expert on estate and trust litigation matters.. Melinda has over 25 years of experience in the estates and trusts area, and brings a unique and diverse perspective from her work in private law practice, Big Four accounting firms, and private banking/trust services. With her focus on advising clients in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection, business succession and pre-sale planning and charitable giving, Melinda pursues her passion for helping clients and their families successfully navigate the process to protect and preserve their wealth.. McCandlish Lillard, P.C. has been providing creative legal advice and advocacy to meet the legal needs of businesses and individuals for more than a century. The firm provides legal services in the following practice areas: Business, Elder Law/Special Needs, Family Law / Domestic Relations, Health Care, Information Technology, Litigation, Real Estate, Taxation, and Wills, Trusts and Estates.

Jay R. Pelkofer, Attorney At LawExperience:After several years of experience in the financial services industry, I worked for four years as a tax policy analyst with the United States Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C. While attending law school, I then began my legal career as a law clerk for a small firm in Maryland that focused on real estate and small business transactions. Upon graduation from law school, I worked for a large northern Virginia law firm that focused on wills, trusts and estate planning. Since that time, I have established a successful legal practice dedicated to providing my clients with quality legal service at reasonable cost. It is my goal that every client receives my utmost personal attention and the benefit of my substantial legal experience and expertise. Practice Areas:. Education:. Memberships:

In addition to basic wills and trusts, I also help families and business owners with incapacity planning, legacy, and business succession planning, funding, and other specialty planning services. I provide regular review of clients’ estate plans to ensure they are still properly configured to meet their goals.

I believe in taking a client-centered approach to the practice of law. I want to make sure that you as a client are seen and heard, and that your concerns are fully addressed every time we connect. I also believe in taking a measured and efficient approach to advocacy, one that maximizes your resources and time.. It gives me great satisfaction to assist clients with their estate planning matters. I want to make sure that you and your loved ones are kept at ease when planning for the future. In addition to estate planning, I handle probate and estate administration matters, including judicial probate and Will Caveat matters. I also have over a decade's worth of disability benefits experience, specializing in Social Security disability benefits, FERS disability retirement benefits, and short-term and long-term disability insurance claims, including ERISA litigation.. Outside of the firm, I serve as a Social Security Benefits Advisor for Christian Legal Aid of DC, where I guide and train volunteer lawyers on how to represent Social Security Disability claimants before administrative law judges at the Social Security Administration.. Originally from Queens, New York, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from the George Washington University in Washington, DC, where I majored in Religion with a concentration in Judaic Studies. I earned my Juris Doctorate from the George Washington University Law School, where I served as Senior Managing Editor for the law school’s Journal of Energy and Environmental Law.. I am admitted to the Virginia State Bar, Maryland State Bar, D.C. Bar., as well as the United States District Courts for the District of Maryland, Eastern District of Virginia and the District of the District of Columbia.

I am an attorney primarily focused on helping families in Virginia navigate the world of estate planning and elder law. With over 20 years of legal experience, I have been honored to represent individuals, businesses, and our wonderful community in a wide range of legal matters. Most recently, I had the privilege of serving as the Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County, a jurisdiction of around 1.2 million people. I have been named to SuperLawyers and I am Peer Review Rated as AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell.. Having spent years representing clients in litigation, I understand the most valuable service a lawyer can provide is keeping their clients out of court. The court process is long, it is extremely expensive, and it is very stressful for clients. Moreover, regardless of an attorney’s talent, court outcomes are highly unpredictable given that human beings are involved in the decision-making process.. In some legal areas, such as criminal law, the case almost always starts with a court filing so avoiding court is not possible. However, with estate planning, avoiding court is entirely possible with proactive planning. Moreover, the cost savings and other benefits of avoiding court and probate are substantial – greatly exceeding the expense of planning.. As a parent myself, I understand the concerns that many people with young children share. Questions like, "What will the court do with my children if something happens to me today?" or "What other decisions will the court make for my family if I don't plan ahead?" or “What will happen to me and my affairs if I become incapacitated in an auto accident or have a medical emergency?” weigh heavily on the minds of parents. I'm here to help address these concerns and plan accordingly.. I also recognize that for those that are more senior, they may be facing a long-term care crisis. Seniors have a 70% chance of needing long-term care services and support in the final third of their life. However, the average cost of inpatient long-term care is between $10,000 and $12,000 a month, and Medicare does not cover any long-term care costs. Absent proactive planning, seniors needing long-term care are required by Medicaid rules to spend down their entire life savings to below $2,000 before Medicaid will cover any of the monthly cost. While some states exempt certain retirement assets from this spend down, Virginia does not.. While we will talk a lot about your home, and possibly your IRA, or other assets, at its core, estate planning is about retaining control over your future and the future of your loved ones.. Planning is about taking control and making sure that YOU, not a court or a third party, decides what happens if you become incapacitated, or to your children if you pass when they are minors.. It’s about making sure that the assets you have are immediately available (rather than tied up in court proceedings), and are not unnecessarily depleted (by court costs, appraisal fees, outside financial guardians, lawyers, etc.), in the event of your incapacity or death, and used fully to support the choices you make as to how you want to be cared for, and how you want your loved ones to be cared for.. On a personal note, I am a father of three children. What they bring to this experience for me is an awareness that planning is something you do for the people you love the most. You may or may not be the one to benefit from the plan we design, but your loved ones surely will. I am guessing that is why you are here. I look forward to talking with you about those people and how we can ensure that they are cared for and protected.

Evan Farr is widely recognized as one of the leading Elder Law and Estate Planning attorneys in Virginia and one of the foremost experts in the Country in the field of Medicaid Asset Protection and related Trusts.  Evan is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (through the National Elder Law Foundatio) and a Member of the Council of Advanced Practitioners through the the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Evan's firm is dedicated to helping protect seniors and their families by preserving dignity, quality of life, and financial security. Evan is also a 3-time National Best Selling Author. Evan is AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, is listed in Best Lawyers in America, has been named one of America's Premiere Experts, and has been named by SuperLawyers.com as one of the top 5% of Elder Law and Estate Planning attorneys in Virginia every year since 2007, and in the Washington, DC Metro Area every year since 2008. In 2011, Evan was named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the top attorneys in the DC Metropolitan area, by Northern Virginia Magazine as one of the top attorneys in the Northern Virginia area, and by Newsweek Magazine as one of the top attorneys in the country.. Evan is a nationally renowned author and frequent educator of attorneys across the U.S. As an expert to the experts, Evan has educated tens of thousands of attorneys across the country through speaking and writing for organizations such as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the American Law Institute-American Bar Association (ALI-ABA), the National Business Institute (NBI), the Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (VAELA), the Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Virginia Continuing Legal Education (Virginia CLE) , and the District of Columbia Bar Association. In addition to his Best-Selling books: Protect and Defend, The Nursing Home Survival Guide, How to Protect Your Assets from Probate and Long-Term Care, Evan has published dozens of articles that have appeared in the popular press, and numerous scholarly publications for the legal profession, including two legal treatises published by and available through ALI-ABA: Planning and Defending Asset Protection Trusts and Trusts for Senior Citizens.. --. Virginia has no procedure for approving certifying organizations.

Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), Elizabeth has demonstrated her expertise in elder law and special needs law for nearly 20 years. Elizabeth focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, guardianships, and the administration of estates. She provides experience, compassion and a meticulous attention to details in all of her work. This includes the drafting of trusts (including special needs trusts, pet trusts, trusts to minimize income taxes and capital gains), wills, powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney (also known as advance medical directives), and other succession planning documents. Elizabeth has the experience to find solutions to each client’s individual needs rather than simply using forms or other “boiler plate” materials. She has developed a reputation among her peers in the legal community as the “go to” person in the areas of elder law and special needs planning.. In addition, Elizabeth is a member of the Special Needs Alliance – an invitation-only nationwide attorney organization. She is a Past-President and the 2011 recipient of the “Outstanding Member” award of the Virginia chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA); a member of NAELA’s invitation-only Council of Advanced Practitioners; and former co-chair of three different sections of the Fairfax County Bar Association. She is a current member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and sits on the Board of Directors of Brain Injury Services.. Her other accolades include: AV® Preeminent™ ranking by Martindale-Hubbell and a “Superb” rating on AVVO. Elizabeth has been listed in Best Lawyers of America each year since 2012, an honor given to only 5% of attorneys; a recipient of the Influential Women of Virginia class of 2012; a SuperLawyer in Elder Law for Virginia and Washington, D.C. each year since 2009. Named in Washingtonian Magazine among the top elder law attorneys in the Washington, D.C. area since 2009; and listed in Northern Virginia Magazine among the top elder law attorneys in the Northern Virginia area since 2011. Additionally, in 2015 Elizabeth was recognized by her legal peers as “Lawyer of the Year” in Elder Law for Metropolitan DC in U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Lawyers – 2015” guide.. The award she is most proud of is the “Legal Assistance Distinguished Service Award” from the American Bar Association for helping victims of the September 11 attacks.. Quoted in such publications as MSN Money and The Washington Post, Elizabeth provides frequent educational seminars for the public and helps fellow attorneys hone their skills by teaching Continuing Legal Education classes (CLE).. Elizabeth Gray has been practicing law since 1996. She is a member of the bar of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Rather than going to a typical law school, Liz is a Virginia “law reader.” Under the law reader program, the student apprentices with an attorney under the guidelines issued by the Virginia Supreme Court and at the end of the program the student is eligible to take the Virginia Bar Examination. This unique way of obtaining her legal education has given her a down to earth attitude and an approachable style.. When she is not working, you can find Elizabeth watching her teenage son play soccer, reading, jogging, or just spending time with her family – her son, husband, and their beloved Weimaraner, Casper. A little-known fact: Elizabeth is a former professional violinist, having played with the Binghamton Symphony Orchestra and the Binghamton Pops.

Benjamin Griffitts is a Northern Virginia native who has spent the past 14 years representing individuals charged with criminal and traffic offenses in Manassas and throughout Virginia. He appears in courts across Prince William County, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fauquier and Fairfax, handling every type of case—from homicides and serious sexual offenses to drug, theft and violent crimes, as well as misdemeanors and traffic infractions. Mr. Griffitts is known for his diligent, zealous advocacy and his thorough knowledge of Virginia’s court systems—which he uses to his clients’ advantage in every matter.

At GuideOn Legal Services, founder and principal attorney Jack Grimes, J.D., LL.M., doesn’t believe estate planning and business succession planning are about end-of-life scenarios. Instead, under his Live Long, End Strong® philosophy, he guides clients to develop plans that embrace life, protect their families and preserve values and assets for future generations.. After serving in Iraq as an Army NCO, Jack spent 15 years as an Air Force JAG. He's held positions in the White House and Congress, trained at the SEC and was VP at a Fortune 500 company. Jack and his wife (a law enforcement professional) are proud and busy parents of three. Call Jack for your legal needs.

Alexis received her Bachelor of Arts (magna cum laude) in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University and earned her Juris Doctor from George Mason University Law School. She is admitted to practice in all courts throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.. After graduating law school, Alexis joined M.H. Lawrence, P.C., a private practice representing clients with their estate planning, estate administration, special needs planning and elder law issues. M.H. Lawrence, P.C. merged with ShounBach in May 2021. Alexis handles all aspects of estate planning and administration, from routine to complex. She has drafted complicated trust agreements including irrevocable life insurance trusts, spendthrift trusts, bypass trusts and intentionally defective grantor trusts. She has helped clients settle estate disputes and navigate the complex probate court process. She has helped clients plan for their special needs children through special needs trusts, guardianship and conservatorship proceedings and representing clients in administrative appeals to the social security administration.. Alexis is passionate about human rights and social justice and she is dedicated to helping close the justice gap. While in law school, Alexis volunteered for a summer with Legal Services of Northern Virginia and interned a semester with the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Alexis continues to volunteer as a pro bono attorney with the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center and has been involved with the Wills on Wheels and Housing Advocacy programs.. Alexis is a member of the Virginia Bar Association, Fairfax Bar Association (where she is a member of the Wills, Trusts and Estates section), the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Northern Virginia Estate Planning Council.

A properly conceived estate plan is more than just a series of documents. It is the by-product of extensive interactions between you and your attorney. Our responsibility is to listen to your concerns and wishes, answer your questions, ask you questions, and finally, recommend documents and procedures that will meet your needs. It is these documents, which have been produced after a careful discussion with you, that form the cornerstone of a successful estate plan.