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Protect Your Family. Preserve Your Legacy. Estate Planning, Asset Protection, Elder Law, Business Formation and Succession in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

With over two decades of experience, the attorneys at J.S. Burton can help you navigate the complexities of the law and provide you peace of mind.

Virginia Estate Planning Attorney

Also Providing Services in Washington, D.C.

J.S. Burton is a multifaceted law practice offering informed legal counsel and skilled representation, focusing on estate planning, trust and probate administration, elder law, asset protection, business law, and charitable entity formation.

When you choose to work with us, you are working with a boutique law firm committed to making lifelong connections with our clients. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge required to help you protect your family’s future and preserve your financial well-being. 

Estate Planning & Business Law in Virginia Beach, Williamsburg & Northern Virginia 

With over 20 years of experience at our disposal, you can rest easy knowing that J.S. Burton can help you navigate the complexities of your legal needs. We are aware of the intricacies you encounter when you begin the process of planning for your estate or business. Our practice can help you navigate through the legal planning process and design a plan that is uniquely tailored to you, your family, and your business.

Our Values

What Our Work Means To Us
  • Boutique, Holistic Legal Representation
  • Personalized Service and Attention
  • Free, No Obligation Initial Estate or Business Planning Consultations
  • Client-Focused Care
  • Committed to Protecting Your Legacy

How We Can Help

Begin Your Free Consultation with our Team Today

You’ve worked hard to achieve success and acquire your personal and business assets. You can rest easy knowing that our lawyers at J.S. Burton are dedicated to helping you find effective long-term legal solutions that protect the financial interests of you and your loved ones for years to come.

  • CEP
  • Estate Planning Council
  • Top 100 Lawyers
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    Opinions That Matter Most

    Read What Our Former Clients Have to Say


     

      "Very professional, friendly, thoughtful, and highly knowledgeable, Fallon expedited preparation and delivery of my documents. Overall, this was an awesome experience"

      I just had a great experience with this firm in preparing my estate planning documents. I needed to update some wishes and also ensure everything is in line for the state of Virginia, as I moved here from Pennsylvania. I worked with Fallon Francesca Whi

      - Wendy V.
      "I would highly recommend him."
      I have met with Mr Burton several times and always found him to be professional and personable
      - Bonnie T.
      "Highly recommended for estate planning"
      We were heard and guided to do the best for our families needs
      - Fred S.
      "Friendly and personable service."
      J S Burton, PLC has helped with my estate planning. All aspects of my trust are clearly defined in an easy-to-understand folder. They coordinated with my financial planner seamlessly. The staff is friendly and personable. I highly endorse J S Burton.
      - Elizabeth M.
      "Thorough, responsive, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this firm!"
      Thorough, responsive, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this firm!
      - Krystin R.
      "Truly impressive and caring."
      J S Burton, PLC has been our family's trusted estate planner for over 20 years. Their professionalism, knowledge, and dedication are unmatched. They guide us through complex decisions with ease and clarity, always with a personal approach.
      - Ryan D.
      "Highly skilled and compassionate."
      J S Burton, PLC is an excellent estate planning firm—highly skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced. They listened with great kindness, compassion, and courtesy. All questions were answered, and a perfect estate plan was created. Very happy!
      - Kathy R.
      "Excellent service"
      The service was excellent!
      - Susan B.

      Our Legal Philosophy 

      With offices in Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and McLean, Virginia, J.S. Burton provides personalized counsel to individuals, families, and businesses throughout Virginia and Washington, D.C. We tailor our legal services to your unique needs, and you can expect accurate information and confidential communication. Our lawyers put the client first and cultivate relationships that last a lifetime. It’s our goal to represent you, your estate, and your family on a multigenerational level. 

      We take a holistic approach to legal planning, employing diverse strategies across various complex areas to find creative solutions for your legal matters. Whether you’re dealing with estate planning, probate, special needs trusts, or business succession, our attorneys can help you determine the best path forward.  

      Call us at (888) 885-9001 to speak with our Virginia & Washington, D.C. attorneys or send us the details of your case using our contact form.

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      FAQs

      • What estate planning documents should I have?
        A comprehensive estate plan should include the following documents, prepared by an attorney based on in-depth counseling which takes into account your particular family and financial situation:

        A Living Trust can be used to hold legal title to and provide a mechanism to manage your property. You (and your spouse) are the Trustee(s) and beneficiaries of your trust during your lifetime. You also designate successor Trustees to carry out your instructions in case of death or incapacity. Unlike a will, a trust usually becomes effective immediately after incapacity or death. Your Living Trust is "revocable" which allows you to make changes and even to terminate it. One of the great benefits of a properly funded Living Trust is the fact that it will avoid or minimize the expense, delays, and publicity associated with probate.

        If you have a Living Trust-based estate plan, you also need a pour-over will. For those with minor children, the nomination of a guardian must be set forth in a will. The other major function of a pour-over will is that it allows the executor to transfer any assets owned by the decedent into the decedent's trust so that they are distributed according to its terms.

        A Will, also referred to as a Last Will and Testament, is primarily designed to transfer your assets according to your wishes. A Will also typically names someone to be your Executor, who is the person you designate to carry out your instructions. If you have minor children, you should also name a Guardian as well as alternate Guardians in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to serve. A Will only becomes effective upon your death, and after it is admitted by a probate court.

        A Durable Power of Attorney for Property allows your agent to carry on your financial affairs in the event that you become disabled. Unless you have a properly drafted power of attorney, it may be necessary to apply to a court to have a guardian or conservator appointed to make decisions for you during a period of incapacitation. This guardianship process is time-consuming, expensive, emotionally draining and often costs thousands of dollars.

        There are generally two types of durable powers of attorney: a present durable power of attorney in which the power is immediately transferred to your agent (also known as your attorney in fact); and a springing or future durable power of attorney that only comes into effect upon your subsequent disability as determined by your doctor. Anyone can be designated, most commonly your spouse or domestic partner, a trusted family member, or friend. Appointing an agent assures that your wishes are carried out exactly as you want them, allows you to decide who will make decisions for you, and is effective immediately upon subsequent disability.

        The law allows you to appoint someone you trust to decide about medical treatment options if you lose the ability to decide for yourself. You can do this by using a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or Health Care Proxy where you designate the person or persons to make such decisions on your behalf. You can allow your health care agent to decide about all health care or only about certain treatments. You may also give your agent instructions that he or she has to follow. Your agent can then ensure that health care professionals follow your wishes. Hospitals, doctors and other health care providers must follow your agent's decisions as if they were your own.

        A Living Will informs others of your preferred medical treatment should you become permanently unconscious, terminally ill, or otherwise unable to make or communicate decisions regarding treatment. In conjunction with other estate planning tools, it can bring peace of mind and security while avoiding unnecessary expense and delay in the event of future incapacity.

        Some medical providers have refused to release information, even to spouses and adult children authorized by durable medical powers of attorney, on the grounds that the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, prohibits such releases. In addition to the above documents, you should also sign a HIPAA authorization form that allows the release of medical information to your agents, your successor trustees, your family and other people whom you designate.
      • How do I name a guardian for my children?
        If you have children under the age of eighteen, you should designate a person or persons to be appointed guardian(s) over their person and property. Of course, if a surviving parent lives with the minor children (and has custody over them), he or she automatically continues to remain their sole guardian. This is true despite the fact that others may be named as the guardian in your estate planning documents. You should name at least one alternate guardian in case the primary guardian cannot serve or is not appointed by the court.
      • What does my estate include?

        Your estate is simply everything that you own, anywhere in the world, including:

        • Your home or any other real estate that you own
        • Your business
        • Your share of any joint accounts
        • The full value of your retirement accounts
        • Any life insurance policies that you own
        • Any property owned by a trust, over which you have a significant control
      • Why is it important to establish an estate plan?

        Sadly, many individuals don’t engage in formal estate planning because they don’t think that they have “a lot of assets” or mistakenly believe that their assets will be automatically shared among their children upon their passing. If you don’t make proper legal arrangements for the management of your assets and affairs after your passing, the state’s intestacy laws will take over upon your death. This often results in the wrong people getting your assets as well as higher estate taxes.

        If you pass away without establishing an estate plan, your estate would undergo probate, a public, court-supervised proceeding. Probate can be expensive and tie up the assets of the deceased for a prolonged period before beneficiaries can receive them. Even worse, your failure to outline your intentions through proper estate planning can tear apart your family as each person maneuvers to be appointed with the authority to manage your affairs. Further, it is not unusual for bitter family feuds to ensue over modest sums of money or a family heirloom.