Clear, Personalized Will Planning for Individuals and Families Across Virginia
When someone in Virginia dies without a clear will, state law decides who receives property. That result may not match what you want for your spouse, children, or other loved ones. If you have been putting off this decision, you are not alone, and it does not have to be confusing.
At Johnson, Gasink & Baxter, LLP, we help individuals and families in Richmond and throughout Virginia turn their wishes into legally sound documents. Our estate planning team focuses on wills and related planning, so you do not have to figure it out on your own or rely on a one size fits all form.
With more than fifty years of combined experience in estate planning and probate, our attorneys work to make the process straightforward. We listen, explain your options in plain language, and prepare a Virginia will that reflects your goals and family situation.
Looking for a will lawyer in Richmond who can help protect your family and your wishes? Call Johnson, Gasink & Baxter, LLP today at (888) 487-9899 or contact us online to get started!
What Your Will Should Cover
A valid will in Virginia does more than say who receives your belongings. It creates a roadmap for how your estate should be handled and who is responsible for carrying out your wishes. Understanding the main decisions involved can make the planning process less overwhelming.
One key decision is who will serve as your executor. This person generally works with the appropriate Virginia circuit court to administer your estate. We help you think through who is best suited for that role and whether naming a backup makes sense.
Your will also directs how your property is distributed. That can include your home, personal belongings, financial accounts that do not already have beneficiaries, and interests in a business. We regularly work with married couples, single parents, blended families, and people who own rental or investment property here in the area. Our goal is to match your plan to your real life relationships and assets.
Parents of minor children often consider guardianship one of the most important parts of a will. We guide you through the process of naming people you trust to care for your children if you are no longer able to do so, and we discuss how that interacts with any financial planning you may already have in place.
When you are getting ready to meet with us about your will, it can help to think about questions like these:
Who you trust to handle paperwork and work with the court after you pass away
How you would like your home and other major assets to be divided
Which friends or family members you might want to receive specific items with sentimental value
Who you would want to care for minor children if both parents are gone
Whether there are charities or community organizations in Virginia that you would like to include
You do not need to have every answer before we meet. Many people arrive with only a general idea of what they want. We ask targeted questions, explain the options under Virginia law, and help you make decisions that feel right for you and your family.
Our Will Planning Process
Knowing what to expect from the process can make it much easier to take the first step. Our attorneys work to make will planning organized and predictable, while still tailoring every plan to the person sitting in front of us. We meet clients at our Richmond office and at our other Virginia locations by appointment.
When you first contact us, we gather basic information and help you schedule a consultation. At that meeting, we listen to your goals, ask about your family and assets, and review any existing estate planning documents you may already have. If you are unsure what to bring, our team can suggest a short list of helpful items.
After we understand your situation, we discuss the documents that may be appropriate, including your last will and testament and, when useful, powers of attorney or other planning tools. We explain each option in plain language and help you see how different choices could work in practice. Our role is to give clear guidance while keeping you in control of the decisions.
Once we agree on a direction, we prepare draft documents that reflect your instructions and comply with Virginia requirements. At a follow up meeting, in person or by another method when appropriate, we review those drafts with you. We walk through each section, answer questions, and make adjustments if something does not match what you had in mind.
When you are comfortable with the final version, we arrange for proper signing and witnessing, typically at our Richmond office or another JGB office. Virginia law sets specific rules for signing a will, and we guide you through each step so that your will is more likely to be accepted by the court when the time comes.
We can also talk with you about safe storage options and how to let your executor or key family members know where the original will is kept. Clear communication now often makes things smoother for loved ones later.
Common Mistakes People Make When Creating a Will
Many people assume a simple online form or handwritten document is enough to protect their wishes. In reality, small errors in wording, signing, or structure can cause delays, court challenges, or unintended outcomes for family members. In Virginia, a will must meet specific legal requirements to be considered valid, and even minor mistakes can create problems during probate.
Another common issue is failing to think through how different parts of a will work together. For example, naming an executor without a backup, overlooking future changes in family circumstances, or using unclear language about who should receive certain property can lead to confusion and disputes. Thoughtful planning helps avoid these issues and gives your loved ones clearer guidance.
When a Will May Not Be Enough on Its Own
A will is an important foundation, but for many people it is only one part of a complete estate plan. Depending on your goals, family structure, and the type of assets you own, additional planning documents may be helpful to better protect you and your family.
For example, some individuals benefit from having powers of attorney, healthcare directives, or other planning tools in place to address situations that occur during life, not only after death. In some cases, other legal strategies may also help simplify administration or provide added protection for beneficiaries. Understanding when a will should be combined with other planning tools can make your overall plan more effective and easier for loved ones to manage.
Keeping Your Will Up To Date
A will is not something you create once and never revisit. Lives change, and your estate plan should keep pace. Events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, a move within Virginia, or the purchase or sale of a home can all be reasons to review your plan.
Our attorneys encourage clients to look at their wills periodically, even if there has not been a major event. Sometimes, perspectives change over time or relationships shift in subtle ways. A quick review can confirm that everything still fits, or it can highlight an area that might benefit from adjustment.
To support this long term view, Johnson, Gasink & Baxter, LLP offers our TrustGuard™ service. This service is designed to help clients keep their estate plans, including wills, current as life unfolds. We discuss how this ongoing relationship works, so you can decide whether that approach matches how you prefer to handle updates.
Because we maintain offices in Richmond and other parts of Virginia, many clients stay with us even if they move to a different part of the state. That continuity can be comforting, since you do not need to start over with a new firm when your circumstances change. You can return to familiar attorneys who already understand your history and your goals.
Why Work With Our Estate Planning Team
Choosing a will attorney is about more than filling out forms. You want a firm that understands Virginia law, appreciates your family dynamics, and has guided many people through similar decisions. That is the focus of our practice at Johnson, Gasink & Baxter, LLP.
Our attorneys bring more than half a century of combined experience in estate planning and probate. We have worked with a wide range of estates, from modest to complex, and with many different family structures. This depth of experience helps us identify issues that might not be obvious now but could matter greatly in the future.
Members of our team have been recognized by Super Lawyers, and one of our attorneys holds an Avvo Rating of 10.0 in Estate Planning. These independent recognitions give you additional information as you compare your options. They reflect years spent focusing on helping clients plan for the future, rather than a general practice that only occasionally drafts wills.
Clients often tell us they appreciate our communication style. We avoid legal jargon whenever possible and explain any legal terms we need to use. We meet you where you are, whether you have read extensively about wills or are starting from scratch. Throughout the process, we keep you informed, answer questions, and make sure you understand what each part of your will does.
Cost is a practical concern for most people. Our firm is committed to transparent billing, which means we explain our fee structure before work begins and avoid surprises. We want you to feel comfortable asking questions about both your plan and the cost of putting it in place.
Contact Our Richmond Will Lawyer Today
Taking the step to meet with a will lawyer can bring real peace of mind. You gain a clearer picture of how Virginia law affects your family and leave with a plan that reflects your wishes, rather than leaving difficult questions to be answered during a stressful time.
At Johnson, Gasink & Baxter, LLP, we provide personalized will planning at our Richmond office and across our Virginia locations. Our attorneys focus on listening first, then explaining your options in plain language, so the process feels manageable instead of intimidating. Whether you are creating your first will or updating an older plan, we are ready to help you move forward.
Most adults benefit from having a will, even with modest assets. Without one, Virginia’s default rules decide who inherits, which may not match your wishes. A will can also name an executor and, if needed, guardians for minor children, which provides clarity regardless of estate size.
How does Virginia handle things if I die without a will?
If you die without a will, Virginia intestacy statutes generally control who receives your property. The result depends on your family situation and may not align with informal promises you have made. We explain how those rules would likely apply to you and how a will can change that outcome.
How long does it take to create a will with your firm?
The timeline depends on the complexity of your situation and how quickly decisions are made. Many straightforward wills are completed over several weeks, including meetings, drafting, and signing. During our first conversation, we can give you a more specific sense of timing based on your goals.
Can you review and update an old Virginia will?
Yes. We regularly review existing Virginia wills to see whether they still match a client’s life and objectives. After discussing any changes in your family or assets, we recommend updates if they are appropriate. Our TrustGuard™ service is one way we support clients in keeping documents current.
Straight-forward and relatable legal counsel that you can understand from start to finish.
Your Legacy, Handled with Care
We offer confidential consultations and can discuss your estate plan in full.
Continuous Care for Your Estate Plan
Our TrustGuard™ service allows you to make and maintain up-to-date estate plans.
50+ Years of Legal Insight, On Your Side
We use more than a half-century combined experience to your benefit.
“Very knowledgeable and happy to answer all of our questions”
Very knowledgeable and happy to answer all of our questions. Made the trust planning process very easy for us and very friendly.
D.T.
“We have confidence in Jeremy's support of us in the future.”
We had felt a need to overhaul our existng estate plan and, based on very favorable published reviews, we switched over to Johnson, Gasink & Baxter. The initial presentation and thoroughness was very clear and we felt very comfortable with Jeremy Johnson. He took pains to ensure we understood the details while, at the same time, showing understanding and empathy with our personal family situation. Jeremy's follow up review of the finished plan followed quickly and, as before was conducted in a friendly and cordial manner. We have confidence in Jeremy's support of us in the future.
M. L.
“Mr. Baxter was both amiable and professional”
Our very trusted financial advisor gave us the name of this firm when we asked for estate planning help. Mr. Baxter was both amiable and professional, getting to the point when we asked each of our questions, but in such a way we felt we could ask further questions and bounce ideas around before settling on a plan. The support staff was equally helpful, leaving an overall impression of across the board focus on our needs, as well as very friendly follow through. They supplied us with a very thorough binder as well as all files in PDF form so that we can supply parties involved in either paper copies or digital files easily.
R.D.
“I highly recommend!”
We had a wonderful experience here! Attorney Michael Hendricks made the difficult estate planning very simple for us and helped us through each step. I highly recommend!
