The first step is a discussion with our team about your vision for your future.
Contact UsA will allows you to decide who should receive your property, who should handle your estate, and who should care for your minor children if something happens to you.
In Virginia, a properly prepared will can help your loved ones avoid confusion, reduce conflict, and understand your wishes with more confidence. At Pedersen Law, PLLC, Kyle J. Burcham helps individuals and families in Williamsburg create wills that are careful, practical, and tailored to real life.
Creating a will gives your family a written plan instead of leaving them to guess, argue, or rely on default legal rules that may not match what you actually wanted.
At Pedersen Law, PLLC, we help clients in Williamsburg, James City County, York County, New Kent, Toano, and the surrounding Virginia communities prepare thoughtful wills as part of a complete estate plan.
“A will should feel like your instructions, written clearly enough that the people you love can follow them when the time comes.”
- Kyle J. Burcham, Estate Planning Attorney
A will allows you to put your wishes in writing. It can explain how you want your property distributed, who should handle your estate, and who should care for your minor children if both parents are unable to do so. A Virginia will may allow you to:
A will does not answer every estate planning question, but it is often one of the most important documents in the plan.
Many people assume they do not need a will because they are young, do not consider themselves wealthy, or believe their family already knows what they would want. That assumption can create problems later.
You may need a will if you own a home, vehicle, bank account, or personal property. You may also need one if you have children, are recently married or divorced, are part of a blended family, or want to leave property to someone outside your immediate family.
A will is not just for large estates. It is for anyone who wants to give their family clearer direction.
If you die without a valid will, Virginia law may determine who receives your property. For some families, the legal default may be close to what they expected. For others, it can create painful surprises.
This can be especially important for unmarried couples, blended families, second marriages, estranged relatives, or families with children from different relationships. A person you love may not receive what you intended. A person you would not have chosen may receive more than you expected.
“One of the kindest things you can do for your family is remove as many unanswered questions as possible. A good will does not eliminate grief, but it can eliminate a lot of unnecessary uncertainty.”
- Kyle J. Burcham, Estate Planning Attorney
Every will should be drafted around your specific family, property, and wishes. At Pedersen Law, we do not treat wills as one-size-fits-all documents. Your will may include:
Some assets are financially valuable. Others are emotionally valuable. A wedding ring, military keepsake, family Bible, firearm collection, artwork, or piece of furniture may matter deeply to certain loved ones. A will can help clarify where those items should go.
A will is important, but it may not be enough by itself. A will mainly addresses what happens after death. A complete estate plan can also help protect you during your lifetime.
Depending on your needs, your plan may also include:
For example, a will does not give someone authority to manage your finances if you become incapacitated. A will also does not allow someone to make medical decisions for you. Kyle can help you understand how your will fits into the bigger picture so your plan works together.
You should consider reviewing or updating your will after marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, the death of a spouse or beneficiary, a major change in assets, a move to or from Virginia, or a change in who you trust to make decisions.
Even if nothing major has happened, it is wise to review your will every few years. A document that made sense 10 years ago may not reflect your family, assets, or priorities today.
Estate planning is personal. It involves your family, your home, your finances, your children, your beliefs, and the people you trust most.
At Pedersen Law, PLLC, we take that seriously. Kyle is known for being careful, patient, and thorough in his estate planning work. He listens closely, explains options in plain language, and helps clients create documents that reflect their actual wishes.
If you need to create or update a will in Williamsburg, VA, Pedersen Law, PLLC can help you build a plan that gives your family clearer direction. Schedule a consultation today to get started.
.png){kind=icon}
