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Top Virginia Beach, VA Wills Lawyers Near You

Wills Lawyers | Virginia Beach Office

4768 Euclid Road, Suite 103, Virginia Beach, VA 23462-3810

Wills Lawyers | Newport News Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

601 Thimble Shoals Blvd, Suite 210, Newport News, VA 23606

Wills Lawyers | Virginia Beach Office

1206 Laskin Road, Suite 101, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Wills Lawyers | Norfolk Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

101 W Main St, Suite 920, Norfolk, VA 23510

Wills Lawyers | Virginia Beach Office

2100 Mediterranean Avenue, Suite 214, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Wills Lawyers | Norfolk Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

426 East Freemason Street, Suite 200, Norfolk, VA 23510

Wills Lawyers | Newport News Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

688 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601

Wills Lawyers | Williamsburg Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

1311 Jamestown Road, Suite 203, Williamsburg, VA 23185-3391

Wills Lawyers | Virginia Beach Office

3061 Brickhouse Court, Suite 101, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Wills Lawyers | Virginia Beach Office

2492 North Landing Road, Suite 104, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Wills Lawyers | Virginia Beach Office

258 North Witchduck Road, Suite C, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Wills Lawyers | Virginia Beach Office

3097 Brickhouse Court, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Wills Lawyers | Williamsburg Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

1100 Professional Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Wills Lawyers | Chesapeake Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

2006 Old Greenbrier Road, Suite 4, Chesapeake, VA 23320

Wills Lawyers | Norfolk Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

109 E Main Street, Suite 200, Norfolk, VA 23510

Wills Lawyers | Chesapeake Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

Wynngate Business Park at Greenbrier, 516 Baylor Court, Chesapeake, VA 23320

Wills Lawyers | Williamsburg Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

461 McLaws Circle, Suite 2, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Wills Lawyers | Newport News Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

708 Thimble Shoals Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23606

Wills Lawyers | Virginia Beach Office

222 Central Park Avenue, Suite 1300, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Wills Lawyers | Williamsburg Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

905 Richmond Rd, PO Box 339, Williamsburg, VA 23187

Wills Lawyers | Suffolk Office | Serving Virginia Beach, VA

332 West Constance Road, PO Box 1458, Suffolk, VA 23439

Wills Lawyers | Virginia Beach Office

780 Lynnhaven Parkway, Suite 330, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Virginia Beach Wills Information

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Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys In Virginia Beach

Lead Counsel independently verifies Wills attorneys in Virginia Beach and checks their standing with Virginia bar associations.

Our Verification Process and Criteria
  • Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
  • Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
  • Annual Review Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
  • Client Commitment Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.

Find a Wills Attorney near Virginia Beach

Visit our free Wills Resource Center.

What Is a Will?

A will can help ensure your loved ones are provided for after you pass away. A will is a document that provides for how you want to distribute your assets after death. Without a will, the government will have to handle your estate administration according to Virginia law, which may not be the same as how you would provide for those around you. If you have questions about making a will, an experienced Virginia Beach estate planning lawyer can give you legal advice and help you provide for your family.

What Do I Need for a Will?

The specific requirements for a will depend on the state. In most states, the requirements for a will include:
  • Be of legal age and sound mind
  • Make a will in writing
  • Signed by qualified witnesses
The age requirement for most states is 18, but older or younger in a few states. A will has to be made in writing in most states, but some states will also accept oral wills in limited circumstances. Some states also accept a will that is not witnessed if it is in the testator’s handwriting. It is important to make sure the will is valid or it may not be enforceable. Talk to a Virginia wills attorney to make sure your will is valid and enforceable to provide for your loved ones.

What Happens If I Die Without a Will?

If you die without a will, you are considered to be dying “intestate.” Intestate means that there is no will or estate planning tool to determine how to distribute your assets in death. The probate court will take account of your property and debts and distribute your remaining assets under Virginia intestacy laws. Intestacy will distribute the assets to family relations based on the relationship to the deceased, starting with the spouse and children. If there are no relatives, the property will go to the state.

What Is a Living Will?

A living will is different from a last will and testament. A living will is also known as an advance healthcare directive or medical directive. An advance directive can provide for medical decisions in the event that you are no longer able to communicate your wishes because of incapacity or illness. A living will can let doctors know what kind of care you want or don’t want if you have a terminal illness or are incapacitated. An elder law or estate planning attorney can give you more information about living wills.

Are There Alternatives to a Will in Virginia?

There are alternatives to a will that can provide for distributing your property after death. The most common will alternative is a trust. A living trust is another type of estate planning document where the trustee holds the property and assets for the benefit of the beneficiaries. A trust can allow you to still maintain the use and control of your property while you are living and avoid probate after death.

When Should I Make a Will?

Many people put off making a will because they don’t think they need one. A will can be an important tool for any adult to make sure their wishes are carried out after they pass away. In most states, anyone 18 or older can make a will. Making a will is important if you have children, family, or loved ones you want to provide for in the event of death. Without a will, your assets will be distributed to family members based on Virginia intestacy laws.

How Much Does an Attorney Charge for a Will?

An average will can cost from $500 to $2,000 or more. For most people, an attorney can prepare a basic will for a flat fee. Other lawyers may charge an hourly rate for legal services. The cost for a will depends on the type of estate, the amount of assets, and the individual needs of the client. To get an estimate for how much it will cost to prepare a last will and testament in your case, contact a Virginia Beach estate planning law firm for a quote.

Best Time to Seek Legal Help

No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.

Top Questions to Ask a Lawyer

  • What is the usual process to resolve my case? How long will it take to resolve this?
  • What are likely outcomes of a case like mine? What should I expect?

An experienced lawyer should be able to communicate a basic “road map” on how to proceed. The lawyer should be able to walk you through the anticipated process, key considerations, and potential pitfalls to avoid. Once you’ve laid out the facts of your situation to the lawyer, he/she should be able to frame expectations and likely scenarios to help you understand your legal issue.

How to Find the Right Attorney

  • Determine the area of law that relates to your issue. Attorneys specialize in specific practice areas around legal issues within the broad field of law.
  • Seek out recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. A successful attorney or practice will typically have many satisfied clients.
  • Set up consultation appointments to get a better understanding of your case as well as gauge your comfort level with different attorneys. Find the attorney who is the right fit for your needs.

Common legal terms explained

Pro se – This Latin term refers to representing yourself in court instead of hiring professional legal counsel. Pro se representation can occur in either criminal or civil cases.

Statute – Refers to a law created by a legislative body. For example, the laws enacted by Congress are statutes.

Subject matter jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority to hear the claim based on the specific type of issue brought to the court. For example, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court only has subject matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy filings, therefore it does not have the authority to render binding judgment over other types of cases, such as divorce.

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