Plan Your Legacy With A Carefully Crafted Will

Everyone should have a will, even if they don’t have many assets. In a will, you can direct to whom your assets will go upon your passing. If you die without a will, then your assets will pass pursuant to the intestacy laws for the state in which you were residing upon your passing.

Creating a will requires knowledge of legal requirements to prevent problems and ensure the document meets all formal requirements for validity. A licensed attorney is the only professional with the proper qualifications to advise you about your will, prepare the document, and oversee its execution. Your attorney should also provide guidance on how to title your assets and designate beneficiaries appropriately.

If you die without a will in Virginia, then your estate will be administered and transferred pursuant to the intestacy laws for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

It depends. Generally, it’s a good idea to update your will after any significant life events (marriage, divorce, birth/adoption of a child, addition of a grandchild, death or incapacity of your spouse or significant other), any significant changes in assets, and/or the death of any beneficiaries named in the will. There may be other reasons one may want to update their will depending on their individual circumstances.

Any previously executed estate documents (wills, power of attorney’s, healthcare directives, trusts, etc.), copies of deeds for any real property, and documents for any asset and/or accounts which you have named a beneficiary (such as life insurance policy, retirement account etc.).

It depends on the assets that the decedent owned at the time of their death. Generally in order for real property and solely owned personal property to pass, some form of probate is necessary.