Cleveland Estate Planning Lawyers

Attorney Anita Paka primarily practices in Wills and Estates law in Virginia. Anita started her legal career working as a paralegal and law clerk in Virginia, and Washington, DC where she gained insight into the inner workings of the legal system. Subsequently she started her solo practice where she practiced primarily in Estate planning. As a mother of two, Anita understands firsthand the desire of parents to build a secure future for their loved ones. She can customize estate plans and trusts to accommodate special needs, desire, or contingency, including (but not limited to): Special Needs Trust (providing for a family member...

Mary Ellen Lench is the principal of M.E. Lench, P.C., and her practice is concentrated in estate and trust administration and business planning. Mary Ellen has been in practice for more than 18 years, representing clients in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area, and she focuses on personal service to her clients. She has been teaching estate planning classes through Loudoun County Adult Education for the past eight years and was recently voted among the Legal Elite for Trust/Estate/Elder Law Attorneys by Virginia Business Magazine. Mary Ellen received her J.D. from American University, cum laude, and was Editor of the Law Review. Following...

James M. Johnson graduated from James Madison University in with degrees in Biology and Economics. He received his Juris Doctor from the George Mason School of Law. James Johnson has worked at the outstanding law firms of Pfitzner & Morley, Johnson Ford Law, and now he is the managing attorney at the Johnson Law Firm, PC. He is admitted to practice in all Virginia courts, as well as the Federal and Bankruptcy courts of the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia.

Foster Friedman concentrates on planning and controversy matters involving estate and trusts. He has extensive experience advising clients on the transfer of wealth from one generation to another, including the orderly and tax-efficient succession of family-owned businesses, through the preparation and implementation of Wills, Trusts, Family Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies.

Mr. Friedman serves individual clients who seek to transfer assets efficiently to their chosen beneficiaries. As a part of our estate planning services, we also consider the impact of federal income, estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes on the transmission of wealth. We often help our clients achieve tax...

WEBB & MORTON PLLC

The legal team at Webb & Morton has seen it all. We have helped countless taxpayers, business owners and families answer some of life’s most difficult questions. We are a small boutique law firm focusing on tax defense and compliance, asset protection, business law and corporate planning, wills, trusts and probate, and trust management. We are a progressive law firm, believing that the best solutions emerge from hard work and the re-engineering tried and true ideas. Law firms can no longer rely only on institutional knowledge – they must also innovate and inspire.

At Webb & Morton, you...

Sebastian M. Norton, Esq. is an accomplished and aggressive Virginia and D.C. attorney specializing in criminal and juvenile representation as well as drafting wills and trusts and other testamentary documents such as advance medical and power of attorney directives.

Sebastian has represented hundreds of clients in courts in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. including multiple high-level jury and bench trials. Additionally, Sebastian has provided countless Virginia and D.C. clients with necessary, custom-tailored testamentary documents such as wills, trusts, power of attorney and advance medical directives.

Although a native of Alexandria, Virginia, Sebastian completed his studies in philosophy and political science at...

Gretchyn Meinken grew up in a U.S. Army family, living in Germany for the majority of her childhood. She moved to the Washington, D.C. Metro area after completing a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Alabama in 2000. Ms. Meinken now calls Alexandria, Virginia home after residing here since 2001 (her longest stint in any one place).

Ms. Meinken focuses her practice on estate planning and administration, as well as general corporate law and taxation. She represents individuals, estates, trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations.

Before practicing as an attorney, I worked in greater Boston, MA and in Washington, DC in certified public accounting firms and currently hold my CPA license. I joined my law firm in 1998 and have been practicing and advising business owners and individuals ever since. In 2015, I graduated from the University of Alabama with my Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Business Transactions. In 2018, I became certified as an exit planning advisor by the Exit Planning Institute to better serve and assist my business clients.

I focus my practice areas in working with business owners and their advisors...

Lisa Mathews is a licensed attorney serving clients throughout northern Virginia. She practices estate planning. Please go to www.mathewslawpllc.com to set up an appointment online. Or call 703-215-2088. Mathews Law is built on the premise that everyone deserves access to a caring, skilled attorney.

Attorney with emphasis in start-up and venture business law, small business law, taxation, wills, trusts and estate planning. Computer Scientist with extensive experience in web based application development, databases, data mining, information retrieval and distributed systems. I enjoy working with small and start-up technology businesses and advising them both on technology and law, where appropriate.

Bringing nearly 40 years of legal expertise to the Oast & Taylor team, Bill’s practice areas include Elder Law, Estate and Trust Administration, Estate Planning, Guardianships and Conservatorships, and Litigation.

Since 2000, my practice of law has focused on divorce and family law. Please contact me regarding your divorce or family law matter and I should be able to help you. My commitment is to handle your matter personally, effectively and efficiently.

Wayne M. Zell, Esq. is the founder of Zell Law. He has spent his legal, public accounting and business advisory career counseling clients in a broad range of industries, including technology companies of all types and investor groups, as well as non-profit organizations. His clients also include for-profit and non-profit executives, service providers and high-net worth individuals.

Mr. Zell has extensive experience in representing clients in complex estate planning and business planning matters. In estate planning matters, Mr. Zell routinely advises clients in structuring and preparing intricate revocable and irrevocable trusts, basic estate planning (i.w., wills, medical directives and powers...

Kathleen Marie Stotish was born and raised in central New Jersey, and has called northern Virginia "home" for nearly a decade. She focuses her practice on business transactions and commercial litigation, and also works in the areas of collections/creditors' rights law, and family law. Ms. Stotish has also been certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Guardian Ad Litem for Incapacitated Adults. Ms. Stotish graduated cum laude from the Washington College of Law at American University in 2012. During law school, Ms. Stotish worked as a Law Clerk with the Law Offices of Jonathan Gelber,...

Mr. Craig is a partner in the Law Firm of Cook Craig & Francuzenko, PLLC. Previously he was a partner in the firm, Sparks & Craig, LLP after serving 10 years as an associate attorney in the predecessor law firm of Herge, Sparks & Christopher from 1995-2004.

Prior to 1995, he served as a legislative analyst for the government affairs firms of Albers & Co., Inc. and the Center for State Policy Research.

Mr. Craig represents companies, corporations, partnerships and individuals in business, contract law, intellectual property, and a wide range of other practice areas to include estate/trust planning and administration, election...

Vincent J. Mata attended the University of Notre Dame and the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum for undergraduate studies in the classical humanities. He obtained a Master's degree at The Catholic University of America in philosophy, and earned his Juris Doctor at George Mason University School of Law, now Antonin Scalia Law School. Vincent is a founding partner and attorney at Mata & Hill PLC. He focuses his practice primarily on estate and elder law issues. Mata & Hill PLC additionally offers real estate, business, and civil litigation services, and serves clients throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

Britt is the Vice President of Schneider & Williams, P.C. Originally from Georgia, she graduated from Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology. Britt then went on to attend Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia. There, Britt chaired as Vice President of the Student Government Association, the Campus Events Organization, and a community service society unique to Sweet Briar. She also enjoyed the opportunity to captain the Women’s Varsity Lacrosse team. Britt graduated Sweet Briar College with a BA in Sociology with a minor in Religion.

Following graduation, Britt attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of...

Charles W. Hazelwood, Jr., or "Chuck", has accumulated a significant legal skill set over the past four decades. His communication skills and negotiating abilities were honed and perfected over time as he handled thousands cases. He has a thorough understanding of the law and comprehensive experience with handing estates and trusts, real estate issues, personal injury cases, and more. His long-standing legal acumen has been time-tested by the significantnumber of cases he has handled. Born in Richmond, Virginia, Chuck attended West Springfield High School.

Charles W. Hazelwood, Jr. has bar memberships in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of...

I practice in the areas of family law, guardianships & conservatorships, estate planning, and estate administration. My clients are my first priority and I focus on achieving the best outcome possible for them. I am well-versed in a full range of legal services including litigation, agreements, mediation, and collaborative divorce.

In total, I spent 35 years in the insurance industry, handling liability claims. Prior to attending law school, I worked as an insurance adjuster and in claims management at GEICO. My positions allowed me the opportunity to learn a great deal about insurance company claims operations and the difficulties that large insurance companies face as well as the biggest hurdles for people who need to make claims. My work led me to attend law school while continuing my career in insurance. Following my graduation, I moved into the position of attorney with the company. Since that time, I have defended...

Representing individuals and families throughout the Richmond Metropolitan area, including Caroline, Hanover, Henrico, and Chesterfield Counties and the City of Richmond. My practice areas focus on adoption, family law, divorce, support, child custody and visitation, criminal and traffic law.

I represent clients in a variety of legal areas. I regularly represent clients all over the Richmond area and I often travel as far east as Virginia Beach, as far north as Spotsylvania, as far west as Charlottesville and as far South as Dinwiddie. I assist clients with obtaining and defending protective orders, uncontested and contested divorce, spousal support, child custody, visitation and support, pre-nuptial agreements, property settlement agreements, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, criminal defense, business formation and dissolution and general civil litigation.

William D. Ashwell is a career litigator and advocate who has built a regional and statewide reputation for assisting clients in the most serious of situations and in high profile matters. A native of Warrenton, Mr. Ashwell has solidified himself as a leader in the field of civil and criminal litigation and beyond. A steadfast believer in giving back to the community, Mr. Ashwell balances his time between his family and giving back to the community that he calls home. A graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and the University of Dayton School of Law, Mr. Ashwell serves Northern Virginia, Piedmont region,...

Andrew P. Hill is a founding partner and attorney with Mata & Hill PLC, a full-service civil law firm serving the beautiful northern Shenandoah Valley. Mr. Hill concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate, estate planning and administration, litigation, and business.

Mr. Hill received his undergraduate degrees from Northwestern University and his law degree from the College of William and Mary. Prior to forming Mata & Hill PLC, he worked with small but highly-respected law firms in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.

Mr. Hill is licensed to practice law in the state courts of Virginia,...

Since 2002 Clint Sellers has used practical legal advice to protect families and small businesses. He focuses on real estate, civil trials, wills and small business matters and is an authority on the use of estate planning techniques for wealth preservation and succession planning. Clint’s clients range from young families to retirees, professionals, entrepreneurs and estate representatives and beneficiaries. He strives to always deal fairly and help clients resolve disputes without unnecessary expense or litigation. Clint is admitted to practice in all Virginia courts, as well as Federal courts. He regularly appears in District and...

Michael T. Trent is an experienced attorney with an active practice including criminal defense, general civil litigation including personal injury, and estate planning including wills and estates. His love for our Southside Virginia community is deep, with not only his growing up in Charlotte County, but with the vast majority of his family having called all different parts of Southside home. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Lynchburg College, Mike received his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts. He then decided to come home to Southside, and...

I believe in taking a client-centered approach to the practice of law. I want to make sure that you as a client are seen and heard, and that your concerns are fully addressed every time we connect. I also believe in taking a measured and efficient approach to advocacy, one that maximizes your resources and time. It gives me great satisfaction to assist clients with their estate planning matters. I want to make sure that you and your loved ones are kept at ease when planning for the future. In addition to estate planning, I handle probate and estate administration matters,...

For more than 24 years, Jennifer has successfully represented hundreds of people who have been injured through no fault of their own; people who were often just in the wrong place at the wrong time but suffered significant or catastrophic injuries as a result. Jennifer is in the unique position to provide excellent and informed representation to her clients and to maximize recovery for her clients, as a result of her years working as counsel for several of the country’s major insurance carriers. Now, Jennifer helps injured individuals navigate the insurance claims and court system, thus enabling them to...

Scott is licensed to practice law in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. He is also a former Certified Public Accountant and began his career in public accounting for a big five CPA firm. Scott's accounting background enables him to grasp tax and financial issues that are important in structuring transactions, ensuring that business as well as legal goals are met and that tax-reduction strategies are maximized and not overlooked. Scott has published several articles covering a variety of business, tax and estate planning issues, in addition to speaking on a variety of topics. ...

Paul J. Dean, Esq. is the founder and sole proprietor of the Law Offices of Paul J. Dean, PLLC. He is a graduate of Harvard University and the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason, and admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Paul has lived and worked in the Mt. Vernon/Alexandria area of Fairfax County for more than 20 years. After a successful government affairs career spanning more than two decades, he founded this firm to more directly meet the legal needs of individuals, small business owners and non-profit organizations in his community.

Paul resides in the...

Josh is a tenacious attorney with extensive courtroom and business experience that brings value to his clients. He has a broad area of practice with clients throughout the country. Josh’s focus of practice in the following areas of law: civil litigation, personal injury, criminal and traffic defense, divorce and family law, wills, trusts and estate planning, landlord and tenant law, business and corporate law, intellectual property, and general practice.

Anusce Sanai was born in Lucca, Italy. She moved to the United States in 2001, where she completed both her undergraduate studies and her law degree. Over the past four years, Attorney Sanai has gained experience in both criminal and civil areas of the law, including family law, immigration law, and criminal law. She has helped clients in a variety of matters, acquiring efficient strategy to achieve the best results for the client. In addition, Attorney Sanai’s successful clerkship provided her with invaluable understanding of courtroom practices and procedures. During her academic career, she was also Associate Editor...

Todd Lewis is a highly skilled attorney whose breadth of experience spans multiple facets of commercial law, making him a trusted advocate for business clients and professional investors. As an accomplished litigator, Todd has tried a wide range of complex commercial cases, using his keen ability to identify pivotal legal issues and strategically leverage case facts to achieve his clients’ business objectives. His articulate negotiation style and meticulous approach have resulted in favorable outcomes in high-stakes disputes, complex transactions, and multi-party litigation scenarios. Todd’s extensive experience as legal counsel to two Fortune 500 companies has honed his ability to navigate sophisticated...

The Law Firm of John W. Lee, PC has office locations in Newport News, Hampton, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. We have six experienced attorneys on staff that focus their practice in the areas of bankruptcy, family law, estate planning, and criminal defense. With over 90 years of combined legal experience our attorneys are ready to help you face your legal challenges. Our attorneys have helped thousands of people eliminate debt through the bankruptcy process. If you are struggling with garnishments, repossessions, collection calls, or foreclosure you should call us for a free consultation. Our...

Stephen Taylor earned his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Richmond School of Law, where he served as Allen Chair Editor of the University of Richmond Law Review. He was a member of the John Marshall Inn of Court and was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society. Stephen's primary practice areas include Elder Law, Estate Planning, Business Planning, Estate and Trust Administration, and litigation in support of these practice areas. Stephen is licensed to practice in Virginia and North Carolina.

Jessica graduated summa cum laude from Otterbein University (Columbus, OH) with a major in Political Science/Government & triple minor in Psychology, Speech Communication, & Legal Studies. She graduated second in her law school class with highest honors from the HBU, North Carolina Central University School of Law (Durham, NC), earning a Juris Doctor & Certificate in Dispute Resolution. Her diverse legal experience includes legislative and policy evaluation, judicial internships, litigation, and mediation/settlement negotiation/alternative dispute resolution. In 2014, Jessica joined The Cooper Law Firm, P.C. (Virginia Beach, VA) to form its successful family law division. In May 2019, was named Partner...