Estate Planning Recommendation - Loudoun County, VA

Non-investing personal finance issues including insurance, credit, real estate, taxes, employment and legal issues such as trusts and wills.
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flanders81
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:28 pm

Estate Planning Recommendation - Loudoun County, VA

Post by flanders81 »

I'm looking for recommendations with someone who can assist with estate planning in Loudoun County, VA. Long story short, I'm very delinquent and do not yet have a will not to mention any of the other documents that I should have in place. If it matters, I'm early 40's, married and have two pre-teens. Approximate NW of ~3 million with a mix between retirement accounts, taxable and housing.

Also interested in feedback from Bogleheadland on what types of documents that I should have in place. I.e. Living will, advance care directive, etc.

Thank you in advance!
Parkinglotracer
Posts: 3945
Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2019 2:49 am
Location: Upstate NY

Re: Estate Planning Recommendation - Loudoun County, VA

Post by Parkinglotracer »

You and your darling spouse should have wills, power of attorneys, health care power of attorneys, and advance directives. Your estate documents should include a plan for who will take care of your kids in case something happens to you and your spouse. Your wills may include how you and your DS’s estate should be distributed to your minor children in case of you and DS’s death. Your IRA’s and 401K’s should have designated beneficiaries. You might want to have an umbrella policy. You and your wife may want to have life insurance and disability insurance.

Thanks all I can think of - good luck!
virginiavanguard
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2020 2:25 pm

Re: Estate Planning Recommendation - Loudoun County, VA

Post by virginiavanguard »

From right here in Loudoun County, I recommend Melanie Hammelman. https://www.hammelmanlaw.com/

She just helped us with all of that and did a great job. We set up a revocable trust to direct what happens to our assets after we die.
Topic Author
flanders81
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:28 pm

Re: Estate Planning Recommendation - Loudoun County, VA

Post by flanders81 »

Thank you both very much. I really appreciate the advice and the recommendation.

I've gone through all of the investment accounts and made sure the beneficiaries are correct and we both have life insurance policies as well as an umbrella policy. However, need to get moving on the other documents you mentioned!
alexbogle
Posts: 293
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2022 8:01 pm

Re: Estate Planning Recommendation - Loudoun County, VA

Post by alexbogle »

I had an excellent experience with the law office at 2800 Shirlington: https://northernvirginiamag.com/best/la ... e-bushman/ . They may have moved now to Alexandria. It was about a decade ago when I interacted with them. I think this is their current website: https://www.bushmanlawgroup.com/ .

They took their time and explained everything to me. Walked me through what would happen with and without a will.

I'd suggest having a conversation with each of the recommendations you have here and see who you mesh with the best.
"Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It’s cheaper!” -- Jack Bogle
Theseus
Posts: 1247
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 8:40 am

Re: Estate Planning Recommendation - Loudoun County, VA

Post by Theseus »

I recommend John Laster - https://trusttolast.com. I found is name through another boglehead on a thread. He was not mentioned by his name. But in the thread discussion one of the boglehead lawyer applauded John's level of understanding and knowledge of minute nuances in Virginia law. I reached out to the OP and got the name. Got our estate plan in place with him. He was a solo practitioner but was probably hiring someone as he is really busy.
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