Category: Blog

Are you a Virginia resident without a will because you don’t see the need for one? You are not alone. Surveys continue to show that 1 out of 4 Americans without a will say nothing would motivate them to get one, and more than 40% say they won't bother until their life is in danger. […]

Did you know that only 1 out of 3 American adults have an estate plan in place? Without proper planning, your assets and loved ones could be left in a precarious situation. John and Mary, like many others, once viewed estate planning as an unnecessary burden. However, when John's father unexpectedly passed away without an […]

You might be surprised to learn that trusts have existed for centuries. Back in the Middle Ages, wealthy landowners would leave their lands in the hands of trusted allies while they went off to fight battles. Thankfully, these days you don't have to be a wealthy landowner to receive the benefits of creating a trust. […]

Have you heard that it’s a good idea to make a will, but you still need to take the time to create one? If you answer “yes,” you are not alone. According to a 2022 survey from Caring.com, only 33.1% of American adults have a will. For those without a will, 40% blame procrastination as […]

Imagine finding the perfect house for your family with a price tag within your budget. But due to the hot real estate market and competition for the property, you decided to leave out the recommended contingencies in real estate transactions. Unfortunately, what seemed too good to be true quickly became a nightmare once your family […]

The thought of getting old is daunting for most people. The idea of losing your independence and becoming a burden to your loved ones is something that we all hope to avoid. But what happens when the time comes, and you need long-term care? You may find that the costs are more than you can […]

It’s time to sell your home, but there are still some things you need to fix before you put it on the market. You just learned that Virginia is a “buyer beware” state, and you wonder what that means for you as the seller. You don’t want to get into legal trouble, but how much […]

Making decisions about your future is never easy, but it can be especially challenging as you age. Every older adult must consider several factors, including life care planning decisions that can significantly impact their ability to maintain their independence and quality of life. If you take the time now to make these choices, you can […]

Your home is one of your most significant assets, and you likely have spent many joyful and memorable years in it, raising your children and appreciating life's special moments. It’s no surprise that you may wish to gift your home to your children as part of your estate plan. You may be tempted to sign […]

No one wants to think about death, especially not their own. However, taking a few measures now can significantly alleviate the financial and emotional burden for your loved ones once you are no longer around. To help you get started, an estate planning attorney from McCarthy & Akers, PLC in Winchester, Virginia, has put together […]