Top 10 Estate Planning Lawyers in Virginia Beach, VA
A good estate plan decides who raises your kids, who makes your medical calls, and where your assets go, on your terms instead of the state's. A Virginia Beach estate planning lawyer can build one that holds up. Here are the firms that draft wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for Hampton Roads families.
Updated May 25, 202612 min readEditorially independent
Estate planning is the paperwork that speaks for you when you cannot: a will that says who gets what and who raises your minor children, a power of attorney that lets someone handle your finances if you are incapacitated, an advance medical directive that states your healthcare wishes, and, for many families, a revocable living trust that can keep assets out of probate. If you die in Virginia without these, state intestacy law decides who inherits, and the process runs through the Virginia Beach Circuit Court whether your family likes the result or not.
A Virginia Beach estate planning lawyer matches the plan to your situation. A young family with a house and kids needs different documents than a retiree protecting assets from long-term-care costs or a business owner planning succession. Virginia does not collect a separate state estate tax for most estates, but federal rules, probate procedure, and Medicaid planning still make professional drafting worth it, especially when blended families, special-needs beneficiaries, or significant assets are involved.
Estate planning is usually priced as a flat fee, which makes it easy to compare. A basic will-based package commonly runs $300 to $1,000, while a full trust-based plan typically runs $1,500 to $4,000 or more depending on complexity. Many firms offer a free or low-cost first consultation. Here are the Virginia Beach estate planning firms worth a call.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Virginia Beach-area estate planning practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
TrustBuilders Law Group
Virginia Beach, VACELA + LLM on staffFlat fee
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, probate, elder law, special needs and disability planning, business succession
A Hampton Roads boutique estate firm with more than a century of combined experience, noted as having both a Master of Laws in estate planning and a Certified Elder Law Attorney on staff. Handles wills, trusts, probate, elder law, and special-needs planning. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and Expertise.com.
Why they made the list: Specialist credentials (LLM and CELA) that matter most for elder law and complex or special-needs estates.
Practice focus: Wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, advanced estate planning
A Virginia Beach firm led by principal attorney Scott N. Alperin offering traditional and advanced estate planning, including wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives. Listed on the firm site, Avvo, and Justia.
Why they made the list: A full-service estate practice covering both basic documents and advanced planning under one roof.
Virginia Beach, VAEstate & benefits planningFlat fee
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, estate planning, Medicaid and VA benefits, long-term-care planning
A Virginia Beach estate firm whose principal, Angela N. Manz, concentrates on estate planning and helping families qualify for Medicaid and Veterans Administration benefits to pay for long-term care. Listed on the firm site, Justia, and Avvo.
Why they made the list: A strong fit for families planning around long-term-care costs and VA or Medicaid benefits.
Practice focus: Wills, powers of attorney, trusts, estate documents, probate
A Virginia Beach firm with a wills and estate planning practice that prepares wills, powers of attorney, and trusts for local clients alongside its real estate and family work. Listed on the firm site and local directories.
Why they made the list: A practical local option for straightforward wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, probate administration, tax-sensitive estate planning
An estate planning and probate firm with a Virginia Beach satellite office and more than a half-century of combined experience drafting estate plans of all sizes. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and Justia.
Why they made the list: Deep estate and probate experience for plans of every size, from simple to complex.
222 Central Park Ave, Virginia BeachEstablished regional firmFlat / hourly
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, probate, elder law, estate administration
An established Hampton Roads firm at Virginia Beach Town Center with a wills, trusts, and probate practice alongside its real estate and business work. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and Martindale.
Why they made the list: A full-service regional firm useful when estate planning overlaps with real estate or business matters.
Virginia Beach, VAEstate & general practiceFlat fee
Practice focus: Wills, trusts, estate planning, probate for Hampton Roads families
A Virginia Beach firm whose estate planning attorneys help clients prepare wills and establish trusts, serving Virginia Beach and the surrounding Hampton Roads communities. Listed on the firm site and Justia.
Why they made the list: A local general-practice firm with estate capability and broad Hampton Roads coverage.
Tell us about your family and what you want to protect, and we'll match you with a Virginia Beach estate planning attorney who fits your situation. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Virginia Beach
Match the plan to your life, not a template. A young family, a retiree planning for long-term care, and a business owner need different documents. Ask the lawyer what they recommend for your situation and why, not just for a standard package.
Look for elder-law credentials if long-term care is a concern. If you are planning around nursing-home costs, Medicaid, or VA benefits, a firm with a Certified Elder Law Attorney or strong benefits experience can save your family far more than the fee.
Get the flat fee and what it includes in writing. Estate planning is usually flat-fee. Confirm exactly which documents are included, whether funding a trust is part of the price, and what future updates cost.
What estate planning help typically costs in Virginia Beach
Estate planning in Virginia Beach is usually flat-fee, which makes comparing firms easy. As rough guidance:
Basic will-based package: A will, financial power of attorney, and advance medical directive commonly run $300-$1,000 depending on the firm and complexity.
Trust-based plan: A revocable living trust package with the supporting documents typically runs $1,500-$4,000 or more, depending on your assets and goals.
Elder law / Medicaid planning: Asset-protection and long-term-care planning is priced higher because of its complexity; ask for a flat quote.
Probate administration: Handled separately after a death; often billed hourly or as a percentage, depending on the estate.
Ask each firm exactly which documents the flat fee covers and whether funding the trust is included. A slightly higher fee that includes trust funding and future updates is often the better value.
How long it takes
A standard estate plan comes together faster than most legal work:
Initial meeting: You discuss your family, assets, and goals, and the lawyer recommends the right set of documents. Usually one meeting.
Drafting: The firm drafts your will, powers of attorney, directives, and any trust, typically within a couple of weeks.
Review and signing: You review the drafts, make changes, and sign with the required witnesses and a notary. Virginia has specific signing formalities the firm handles.
Funding and updates: If you have a trust, assets are retitled into it to make it work. Plans should be reviewed after major life changes, such as a birth, divorce, or move.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a estate planning lawyer in Virginia Beach
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many estate planning matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Virginia Beach consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most estate planning matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Estate Planning attorney in Virginia Beach
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about estate planning lawyers in Virginia Beach
How much does estate planning cost in Virginia Beach?
Most firms charge a flat fee. A basic package with a will, financial power of attorney, and advance medical directive commonly runs $300-$1,000, while a trust-based plan typically runs $1,500-$4,000 or more depending on complexity. Elder-law and Medicaid planning costs more. Ask exactly which documents the fee covers.
Do I need a will or a trust?
It depends. Many families are well served by a will plus powers of attorney and an advance directive. A revocable living trust is worth considering if you want to avoid probate, own property in more than one state, have a blended family, or have privacy or incapacity-planning concerns. A lawyer can tell you which fits your situation.
What happens if I die without a will in Virginia?
Virginia's intestacy laws decide who inherits, generally your spouse and children in shares set by statute, and the Circuit Court oversees the process. The result may not match what you would have chosen, and it can be slower and more contentious for your family. A will lets you decide instead.
Does Virginia have an estate tax?
Virginia does not impose a separate state estate tax on most estates. Very large estates can still face the federal estate tax, and there are income and capital-gains considerations in planning. A lawyer can tell you whether tax planning is relevant to your estate.
What is a power of attorney and do I need one?
A financial power of attorney lets someone you trust manage your finances if you become unable to, and an advance medical directive states your healthcare wishes and names someone to make medical decisions. Both are core parts of a plan, because they protect you while you are alive, not just after death.
Can a lawyer help with Medicaid and long-term care?
Yes. Elder-law attorneys help families plan for the cost of nursing-home and long-term care, including qualifying for Medicaid or VA benefits while protecting assets within the rules. This planning is time-sensitive, so it is best to start before a care crisis.
What should I bring to an estate planning consultation?
Bring a rough list of your assets and account types, the names of people you would name as executor, guardian, or agent, any existing estate documents, and your questions about who should inherit and who should make decisions. The clearer your wishes, the faster the plan comes together.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
Helpful next steps
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