Hire an Estate Planning Attorney
in Fredericksburg, VA
Planning for the future often involves buying a home, raising a family, and retirement – it should also include planning for our loved ones after we have passed. At HB Law we will provide you a clear understanding of the different estate planning options available to you. Allow HB Law to assist you in planning for the future.
HB Law will provide you legal services in these and other areas:
Wills – Having a will is vital to ensure your lifetime of hard work passes on to your loved ones or charities that you support. A well drafted will can provide peace of mind.
Trusts – A trust can protect your assets and ensure the future for yourself and loved ones. Trusts are an excellent tool to manage the distribution of your estate for generations to come.
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Special Needs Trust – Providing long-term care for a family member is stressful enough without having to worry about eligibility requirements. This type of trust ensures the beneficiary remains eligible for government benefits while still supplementing and enriching their lives.
Our Estate Planning Process
No two estates are the same because no two individuals are the same. When we work together, I will collaborate with you to create an estate plan that best suits your unique personal situation.
Here is a high-level overview of our legal process for
Estate Planning in Fredericksburg VA.
Schedule an Appointment
We’ll schedule an appointment with you where we discuss your plans for the future and how to best take care of your loved ones.
Review Different Options
Then we’ll share the different options available to you to help make your wishes a reality. If you are comfortable with the plan, we’ll send a questionnaire for you to complete.
Approve Plan & Finalize
After you approve our mutually agreed upon plan, we will draft the documents for you. Then you simply sign off on the legal paperwork and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be fulfilled after your passing.
Please note: Trusts generally take longer as they are more nuanced – there are assets that typically need
to be transferred into the name of the trust, which we assist with as well.
Important Estate Planning Statistics You Should Know.
Lack of Wills: 2 out of 3 American adults do not have a will or estate plan. This means that a majority of people risk leaving their assets and wishes to be determined by state laws. (Source: Caring.com's 2023 Estate Planning and Wills Study).
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Healthcare directives: While 92% of Americans say it’s important to discuss their wishes for end-of-life care, only 32% have had such a conversation. 95% of Americans say they would be willing to talk about their wishes, and 53% even say they’d be relieved to discuss it (The Conversation Project National Survey, 2018).
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Estate Tax Threshold: For 2023, the federal estate tax threshold is $12.92 million for individuals. For married couples the threshold is $25.84 million. This threshold is subject to change with legislative updates.
​Probate Costs: Probate can be expensive, consuming up to 3-7% of the total estate value. Effective estate planning can reduce these costs and ensure more assets go to beneficiaries. (Source: Investopedia).
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Long-Term Care Planning: Long-term care can be financially draining. Estate planning can help you prepare for these costs and ensure they don't deplete your assets, leaving nothing for your heirs. The median yearly cost of a private room in a nursing home in the United States in 2021 was $108,405. The daily rate for a private room in a nursing home ranged from $195 in Missouri to $1,036 in Alaska. (Source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey).
What Our Former Clients Have to Say About Working With Us.
Cindy Harvey
Melissa was amazing at helping me open a Special Needs Trust for my disabled son! She was very accommodating and flexible with where and what time to meet. She is very approachable and easy to talk to. She was very considerate when presenting me with legal documents, and made sure I understood everything.
I highly recommend her to anyone needing a lawyer who treats you like you matter and not just an appointment block to check off. I plan to use her again as I get my legal affairs in order.
Dan Goodwin
I personally worked with Melissa to set up wills, POAs and Medical directives... She went through each section, explained each item and made it easy for my wife and I to understand.
I have sent many of my clients to her as well and would gladly recommend her and her firm!
Mac Church
Melissa is awesome at her job. She met with me to create a will and then when I got married she helped me change it to accommodate my wife. She provided excellent guidance for something not easy to prepare and I feel confident that when I pass, things will be taken care of as they should. Thank you Melissa for helping me!
Frequently Asked Questions about Estate Planning
What is the best age to start planning for an estate?
The best age to start planning for an estate is when you have assets, such as real estate or high-value personal property or you have a major life-changing event, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.
What will be included in a proper estate plan?
A proper estate plan includes a will, durable springing power of attorney, advance health care directive, and a trust (if necessary).
What is the most important component of your estate plan?
Each situation is unique and incredibly fact dependent. Some examples include tax planning, or protecting assets from a wayward child, or ensuring children and grandchildren have their education paid by the trust.
What is the best trust for estate planning?
It depends – for most, a revocable trust (while the settlors are still living) is the best option.
What happens if you die without a will?
Passing away without a will means that Virginia law will dictate how your estate is distributed – which may be counter to your desires. To prevent that scenario, consult with an attorney to create your will.
What is an irrevocable trust?
A trust that cannot be revoked but by law or other reasons determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. For example, a beneficiary, on their own, would likely not be able to dissolve an irrevocable trust.
Other Practice Areas
In addition to estate planning, HB Law provides small and mid-size businesses the legal planning considerations needed in establishing and operating a business, including contract drafting and review, dispute resolution, and employment law. We also provide real estate litigation services for HOA disputes, Landlord/Tenant, and real property contract breaches.
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HB Law, PLC provides legal services for estate planning, business law and real estate litigation in Fredericksburg, VA and the surrounding areas. Beyond being a Fredericksburg attorney, Melissa Huntley-Bosco is also a veteran and a member of the U.S. Army Quartermaster Association. You can reach Melissa via the HB Law website or email her at info@huntleyboscolaw.com.