Blended Family: Ensuring Fairness for Everyone
Mark and Lisa were in their second marriage, each with children from prior relationships. They wanted to make sure the surviving spouse would be financially secure without unintentionally disinheriting their children.
Their plan included:
• A marital share for the surviving spouse
• A protected children’s share to preserve inheritances
Result: Both the spouse and the children were protected exactly as intended. No confusion, no disputes, no surprises.
Children’s Trust: Protecting Assets from Divorce & Creditors
Sarah, a single parent, wanted to leave her children a meaningful inheritance but worried about future divorces, creditors, or irresponsible spending.
Her plan included:
• A Children’s Lifetime Asset Protection Trust
• A trusted family member as trustee
• Protected distributions for education, health, and life needs
• Legal safeguards so
• Ex-spouses couldn’t reach the assets
• Creditors couldn’t seize the funds
• Assets remained divorce-proof and lawsuit-proof
Result: Her children’s inheritance remains fully protected and available only for their benefit.
Business Owner: Protecting the Company & the Family
Business Owner: Protecting the Company & the Family Real-World Warning:
What Happens When a Business Owner Has No Plan
In just the last two years, I’ve seen four business owners who were in the middle of selling their companies when something sudden happened either incapacity or death. None had a Business Power of Attorney or a trust holding their ownership interests.
What followed was entirely preventable:
• Frozen business accounts
• Buyers walking away from six- and seven-figure deals
• Employees with no leadership
• Contract delays, payroll issues, and legal complications
• Families overwhelmed during a crisis
No business owner ever intends for this to happen — but without a plan, it does.​
How Proper Planning Saved David’s Business
David, a Virginia business owner, wanted to protect his company and his family in case something unexpected happened.
His plan included:
• A Business Power of Attorney allowing a trusted colleague to run operations if he became incapacitated
• Placing his ownership shares into a revocable trust to avoid delays, probate, and disruptions
• Successor trustee instructions for the business
• A clear business succession plan
Result: If something happens, David’s company keeps running smoothly, and his family is financially secure
Same-Sex Partners: Protecting a Chosen Family
Alex and Jordan, a long-term same-sex couple, were not married and knew Virginia law might not automatically protect their relationship.
Their plan included:
• Reciprocal wills and trusts
• Financial powers of attorney
• Advance medical directives to ensure hospital recognition
• Clear guardianship nominations
• Coordinated property titling
Result: Their relationship and wishes are fully protected, no matter what the law would otherwise assume.
These stories show one important truth: Estate planning isn’t about documents. It’s about protecting the people you love when they need it most. Whether you’re a parent, business owner, part of a blended family, or building a modern family structure—planning ahead creates clarity, stability, and peace of mind.