Wills & Trusts Attorney in Ashburn, VA
Most families don't need a complicated estate plan. They need a clear one.
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A will or a trust – or both – makes sure your wishes are documented, your children are protected, and the people you love don't have to guess what you would have wanted. It also keeps your family out of a drawn-out court process during an already difficult time.
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At Hammelman Law, Melanie works directly with Virginia families in Ashburn, Loudoun County, and the surrounding area to build estate plans that are straightforward, affordable, and built around your actual life – not a template.
What a Will Does and Why You Need One
A will is the foundation of any estate plan. It's the legal document where you make your intentions official and put the right people in charge of carrying them out.
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With a properly drafted Virginia will, you can:
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Name an executor – the person responsible for managing your estate, paying final bills, and distributing your assets after you're gone
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Choose a guardian for your children – if you have minor children, this is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. Without a will, a court decides.
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Direct specific gifts – leave particular property, accounts, or belongings to specific people
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Protect inherited assets – structure how and when your children receive what you leave them, especially if they're young
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If you die without a will in Virginia, the state's intestacy laws decide who gets what. That may not line up with what you would have chosen.
Do You Need a Trust?
Not everyone needs a trust – but for many Virginia families, a living trust is the better choice, or a smart addition to a will.
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A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement where you transfer your assets into a trust during your lifetime. You remain in full control as the trustee while you're alive. When you pass away, your named successor trustee distributes those assets directly to your beneficiaries.
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A trust makes sense if you want to:
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Avoid or reduce the Virginia probate process
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Keep your estate private – unlike a will, a trust doesn't become public record
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Provide for a child or beneficiary with special needs without affecting their eligibility for government benefits
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Pass assets to beneficiaries on your own terms and timeline, not all at once
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Coordinate assets in multiple states
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A will may be sufficient if:
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Your estate is relatively straightforward
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Your primary goal is naming a guardian for minor children
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Most of your assets already have named beneficiaries (retirement accounts, life insurance)
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In many cases, the right answer is a will and a trust working together – ensuring anything not already in the trust passes into your will at your death.
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Melanie will walk through your specific situation and give you a clear recommendation – without pushing you toward something you don't need.
What's Included In An Estate Plan
Hammelman Law builds complete estate plans – not just a will by itself. Depending on your situation, your plan may include:​
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Last Will and Testament – your core document for asset distribution, executor designation, and guardian appointment​
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Revocable Living Trust – for probate avoidance, privacy, and asset management
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Durable Power of Attorney – names someone to make financial decisions if you become incapacitated
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Advance Medical Directives (Living Will) – documents your medical wishes if you can't speak for yourself
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Healthcare Power of Attorney – names someone to make medical decisions on your behalf
​These documents work together with your will or trust so your family has authority to act during life as well as after death. Learn more about powers of attorney and incapacity planning.
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All documents are prepared and reviewed with you until everything feels right, then finalized and delivered – along with a professional legal binder with everything organized and ready when your family needs it.
FAQ
Do I need a will or trust in Virginia?
Many Virginia families need a will, but some benefit from a living trust depending on their assets, family situation, privacy concerns, and probate goals. Hammelman Law helps clients decide whether a will-based plan or trust-based plan is the better fit.
Is a trust better than a will?
Not always. A living trust can offer privacy, continuity, and probate avoidance benefits, but a will may be appropriate for some families. The right choice depends on your assets, family needs, and goals.
Does a will avoid probate in Virginia?
No. A will directs how probate assets should be distributed, but it does not avoid probate. A properly funded living trust is one common tool for helping families avoid probate in Virginia.
What is included in a complete estate plan?
A complete estate plan may include a will, living trust, durable power of attorney, advance medical directive, guardianship designation for minor children, and probate-avoidance planning. The right documents depend on your family, assets, and wishes.
Does Hammelman Law serve clients outside Ashburn?
Yes. Hammelman Law is based in Ashburn and serves estate planning clients in Loudoun County, Northern Virginia, and throughout Virginia.
Ready to put a plan in place? Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation with Melanie and get a clear picture of what your family needs — and what it will cost.