Estate planning is one of the most important things you can do for your family, and one of the most frequently postponed. The reasons people delay are understandable—it can feel like a distant concern, or like acknowledging something no one wants to think about. But a well-constructed estate plan isn’t about death. It’s about making sure the people and things you care about are protected, regardless of what happens. Inman & Strickler helps Norfolk individuals and families put those plans in place with clarity and care.
A complete estate plan goes well beyond a simple will. It addresses what happens to your assets, who makes decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, how your healthcare wishes are carried out, and how your estate is administered after your death. Each of these areas requires a separate document, and together they form a plan that works in the real world.
Our estate planning services cover last wills and testaments, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives and living wills, beneficiary designations, and estate and trust administration. We work with clients at all stages of life and across a wide range of asset profiles—from straightforward estates to more complex situations involving business ownership, real property, and blended families.
Without a will, Virginia’s intestate succession laws determine who receives your assets—and that outcome may not reflect your actual wishes. A spouse and children may share an estate in ways that create practical complications. Assets you intended for a specific person may go elsewhere. Dying without a plan also means the court appoints an administrator to handle your estate, which adds expense and delay.
For Norfolk’s many active-duty military families, estate planning carries additional importance. Deployments, service-related risks, and the particular financial circumstances of military life make having current, complete documents in place a priority. We understand the unique considerations that apply to service members and their families and can help ensure your plan reflects those needs.
A trust can accomplish things that a will cannot. It allows assets to pass to beneficiaries without going through probate, which saves time and keeps the transfer private. It can protect assets for minor children until they reach an appropriate age. It can provide for a family member with special needs without disqualifying them from government benefits. And it can establish conditions on how and when assets are distributed.
Not every estate requires a trust, but for many families, the flexibility and control a trust provides is worth the additional planning. We evaluate each client’s situation individually and recommend the structure that best fits their goals.
When a loved one passes away, the process of settling their estate can be more involved than families expect—particularly when there is real property, business interests, or disputes among beneficiaries. Our attorneys assist personal representatives and trustees through every step of estate administration, from the initial inventory of assets to the final distribution to beneficiaries.
Taking the time now to put a plan in place protects your family from uncertainty later. Contact Inman & Strickler to schedule a consultation with a Norfolk estate planning attorney. We’ll help you understand your options and build a plan that reflects your goals.
