Estate Planning in Northern Virginia

At The Ruddy Law Firm, we understand the importance of securing your legacy and protecting your loved ones’ future. Our dedicated team of estate planning professionals is here to provide you with expert guidance and tailored solutions to meet your unique needs. With years of experience serving the Northern Virginia community, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you plan for the future with confidence.

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!

Who is Estate Planning For?

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.

Virginia Estate Plans by the Ruddy Law Firm
Fairfax Estate Planning by the Ruddy Law Firm
Virginia Estate Planning by the Ruddy Law Firm
Adult Guardians and Conservators by Ruddy Law Firm

Why Choose The Ruddy Law Firm?

Local Expertise:
Based in Northern Virginia, we have an in-depth understanding of the region's specific legal requirements and regulations.
Personalized Solutions:
We take the time to get to know you and your family, crafting estate plans that align with your goals and aspirations.
Comprehensive Services
From wills and trusts to probate and asset protection, we offer a wide range of estate planning services to cover all your needs.
Dedicated Team:
Our team of experienced attorneys is committed to providing you with exceptional guidance and support throughout the estate planning process.

Our Services

Wills and Trusts

Ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes and provide for your loved ones with our comprehensive wills and trust services.

Estate Planning

Craft a personalized estate plan to protect your assets, minimize taxes, provide for financial and medical decision-making during incapacity, and secure your family’s future.

Probate and Estate Administration

Navigate the complex probate process with our expert assistance, making it as smooth as possible during difficult times.

Business Succession Planning

Ensuring the long-term success of your business through planning to help you transition your business smoothly, protect its legacy, and provide for your family and employees.

Asset Protection

Safeguard your wealth from potential creditors, lawsuits, and unforeseen financial challenges.

Specialized Trusts

Explore options like revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and more to meet your specific needs.

Trust Administration

Advise Trustees in the management of assets held in trust and carrying out the grantor’s intentions for the beneficiaries. Whether you are a trustee or a beneficiary, our firm provides guidance on trust administration responsibilities, compliance with legal requirements, necessary tax filings and resolution of disputes that may arise.

Guardianships and Conservatorships

Setting up a guardianship and conservatorship for a loved one who is unable to manager his/her own affairs due to age, disability, or other incapacitating factors is crucial for providing for their medical care, managing their finances/assets, safeguarding their financial well-being, and protecting them from exploitation.

Our Process

Step 1: Complete Our Estate Planning Worksheet (EPW)
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.  See F.A.Q.
Step 2: Initial Consultation

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. Billing for the initial consultation will be at the attorney’s hourly rate.

Step 3: Estate Plan Design

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. Billing for the estate plan preparation will be at the attorney’s hourly rate.

Step 4: Flat Fee Quote and Retainer Agreement
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.
Step 5: Document Drafting
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.
Step 6: Review Conference
We’ll have a review conference to answer questions and make any necessary corrections or changes to your draft estate planning documents.
Step 7: Document Execution
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.
Step 8: Trust Funding (If Applicable)
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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    Contact Information

    Phone: (703) 383-9000

    Fax: (703) 383-9530

    Office Location:
    Ruddy Law Firm
    10427 North Street, Suite 200
    Fairfax, Virginia 22030

    Office Hours:
    Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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