From Legacy Law Centers – Planning Today. Protecting Tomorrow. Our team has helped many families navigate heartbreaking situations when a loved one is nearing the end of life—without a will or any plan in place. One of the most stressful calls we’ve received sounded like this: “Our father has been given weeks to live. He never created a will. Now he wants to sell his property and divide the proceeds between me, my sister, and his current wife. He is still mentally competent—for now.” This is what we call a deathbed estate planning nightmare—a moment when time is short, emotions…Read More
Succession planning is more than just preparing for leadership changes; it’s about creating a stable, resilient organization that can thrive well into the future. Whether you're running a small family business or a large enterprise, planning for transitions ensures your company remains strong, even when key people move on. At Legacy Law Center, we help businesses design personalized succession plans that protect their people, processes, and legacy. Understanding Succession Planning in VA What is Succession Planning? Succession planning is a long-term strategy for identifying and developing new leaders who can replace old ones when they leave or retire. Its purpose…Read More
If you’ve been putting off estate planning, you're not alone. Many people procrastinate making a plan, not because they don’t care—but because they’re busy, overwhelmed, or simply unsure where to start. At Legacy Law Centers, we understand. We’ve seen how an estate plan can bring peace of mind—and how the lack of one can cause unnecessary stress, confusion, and financial hardship. Because the truth is: estate planning isn’t about paperwork—it’s about people. What’s at Stake? The Six Major Risks of Skipping an Estate Plan Family Conflict Over Decision-Making Without legal documents like powers of attorney or advanced medical directives, your…Read More
When music legend Jimmy Buffett passed away in 2023, his $275 million estate appeared to be in good order. He had a will. He had a marital trust. He had co-trustees in place. But just months later, his widow and longtime accountant were locked in litigation, each accusing the other of mismanagement and bad faith. So what went wrong? And more importantly—what can everyday homeowners in Virginia learn from it? The truth is, you don’t need to be worth hundreds of millions to experience these same challenges. If your primary asset is your family home, an unclear or poorly made…Read More
Business Succession planning is the process of preparing your business for the future by identifying and developing new leaders to take over when current leaders step down, retire, or move on. It’s not just about preparing for the unexpected—it’s about ensuring that your business consistently thrives, no matter what. Key Benefits for Businesses With the right plan in place, you help your business maintain stability, preserve its culture, and avoid unnecessary disruption. A solid succession plan gives your team confidence and shows that you're thinking ahead, not just for yourself, but for everyone who depends on the business day to…Read More
Setting up a trust can be one of the best ways to protect your assets, plan for your family's future, and ensure your wishes are honored. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different types of trusts available in Virginia, their benefits, the legal requirements, and the step-by-step process to create a trust that aligns with your goals. Understanding Trusts: Types and Purposes Trusts come in several forms, each serving different purposes. Understanding your options is important before choosing the one that suits your needs. Revocable Living Trusts Purpose: A revocable living trust allows you to retain control over…Read More
All About Estate Planning: Understanding the Role of an Estate Planning Attorney Estate planning might sound intimidating, but with the right attorney, it becomes a straightforward process. Whether you're looking to protect your assets, care for your loved ones, or simply get your affairs in order, an estate planning attorney helps you make smart, confident decisions for the future. At Legacy Law Center, we guide Virginia families through every step of the estate planning process, making it as clear, effective, and personal as it can be. The Importance of Estate Planning Why Everyone Should Have an Estate Plan Estate planning…Read More
In this article, you can discover… How to hand down your business successfully. Whether or not to inform employees of your succession plans. How an attorney can help you and your family navigate succession plans. Is Business Succession Planning Only For Large Companies? Business succession planning is actually more critical for smaller businesses than it is for larger ones. This is because larger companies typically have formal structures and plans in place since there tend to be multiple stakeholders involved, such as stockholders or LLC arrangements. Small businesses, on the other hand, often lack these predefined systems, which can lead…Read More
In this article, you can discover… How to choose the right successor for your business. Ways to minimize tax liabilities in Virginia. The best ways to plan for and structure a buyout agreement. How Do I Choose The Right Successor For My Business? Choosing the right successor for your business depends largely on the nature of your business and its structure. Here's how we approach this decision: Sole Proprietorships Or Consulting Businesses If your business revolves solely around you think of something like a consulting practice its value may primarily consist of physical assets like a car or office equipment…Read More
The First Step To Creating A Will To create a will, you need to consider a few key details: who you are, what assets you have, and who you want to inherit them. After this, you simply write down your wishes, sign the document in the presence of two witnesses, and ensure those witnesses are available for probate if necessary. This simple process ensures that your wishes are carried out, instead of leaving the distribution of your estate to the State. You see, if you die without a written will in Virginia, your assets will be distributed according to Virginia’s…Read More
