Many residents of Northern Virginia believe that estate planning is only for people who are particularly wealthy, have elaborate plans in mind for passing their money to their heirs, or for people who are acutely ill and contemplating their death. This could not be further from the truth! Estate planning is for husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, grandparents, business owners, professionals, college students, or anyone else over the age of eighteen.
Whether you have someone you care about, are concerned about who will manage your financial affairs and medical decision-making should you become disabled, concerned about who will care for your minor children when you pass away, or wish to make a difference in the lives of others, estate planning is needed.
But estate planning is complicated, and typically is a multi-disciplinary process that involves the client, an estate planning attorney, often a financial planner, and insurance agent. At the end of the day, the goal is to understand your wishes, determine options to accomplish those wishes, and advise you so you can then make an informed decision about which course of action is best for you and your loved ones.
Based in Northern Virginia, we have an in-depth understanding of the region’s specific legal requirements and regulations.
We take the time to get to know you and your family, crafting estate plans that align with your goals and aspirations.
From wills and trusts to probate and asset protection, we offer a wide range of estate planning services to cover all your needs.
Our team of experienced attorneys is committed to providing you with exceptional guidance and support throughout the estate planning process.
Before your initial consultation, please download our Estate Planning Worksheet (EPW), fill it out, and send it to us. This is the most effective and efficient way to start your estate planning project. It helps us understand your needs and objectives. Also, our website has some of the typical questions that need to be answered during your initial consultation, so you may want to check it out.
During your initial consultation, we review your EPW, answer your questions, and focus on your objectives. This consultation allows us to determine the best estate planning approach for your situation. Initial consultations are billed at the attorney’s hourly rate.
After gathering information from your EPW and initial consultation, we prepare an estate plan design to map out your unique plan, including various selections such as: fiduciaries nominations, guardians for minor children, tax planning, beneficiary designations, specific bequests, final disposition plan for ultimate beneficiaries and asset re-titling. Estate plan design is billed at the attorney’s hourly rate
Upon completion of the estate plan design, we will provide you with a flat fee quote to implement your unique estate plan and a retainer agreement to memorialize the terms for your project.
After you retain us to prepare your estate plan as outlined in the estate plan design and retainer agreement, we will draft your estate planning documents. We will send you drafts of your estate planning documents for your review ahead of your review conference and signing meeting discussed below.
We’ll have a review conference to answer questions and make any necessary corrections or changes to your draft estate planning documents.
In a separate meeting about a week after your review conference you’ll execute your estate planning documents. Typically, you will execute your estate planning documents in our offices under our supervision to ensure all statutorily required formalities were followed in the signing of your documents.
If your plan includes a revocable trust, it should be funded to avoid probate. We can assist you with trust funding, billing you for our services either hourly or with a flat fee.
Our simplified estate planning process ensures a smooth and cost-effective experience, with a focus on open dialogue, clear communication, and achieving your specific estate planning goals.
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Phone: (703) 383-9000
Fax: (703) 383-9530
Office Location:
Ruddy Law Firm
10427 North Street, Suite 200
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
