Best Lawyers in Virginia, United States for Trusts and Estates
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Matt Yanovitch's practice focuses on trust and estate disputes and litigation. His practice includes representation of executors, administrators, trustees, heirs, and creditors in disputes involving wills, trusts, and inherited property. He is experienced in probate matters, guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, elective share and augmented estate proceedings, constructive trust cases, petitions for aid and direction of the court, and matters involving powers of attorney. He has testi...
Sarah C. Aviles is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Sarah C., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
G. Christopher Wright is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. G. Christopher, who practices law in Alexandria, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which G. Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
With over a decade of experience, including ten years at Hook Law Center, P.C., Shannon has developed a significant presence in elder law and special needs planning. Her practice addresses issues related to aging and disability, spanning from basic estate planning to advanced long-term care asset protection strategies. Shannon works with clients on a range of matters, including guardianships, conservatorships, complex estate administration, and comprehensive estate plan development, offering ...
Deborah D. Cochran has over 34 years of experience assisting individuals, families and business owners with all of their estate planning needs. Her practice includes designing custom estate plans for each client, as well as tax planning and trust and estate administration. Debby’s personable approach quickly puts her clients at ease and comfortable to discuss their family situation, helping them focus on what is most important to them. Debby then works with her clients to design the app...
Stephanie C. Smith is a Shareholder in the law firm of Midgett Preti Olansen. Her practice areas include estate planning, estate and trust administration, and business matters. Additionally, Ms. Smith serves as a Commissioner of Accounts for Virginia Beach Circuit Court. In her role as Commissioner of Accounts, Ms. Smith supervises fiduciaries and audits accountings and other filings by administrators and executors of estates, trustees of trusts, guardians and conservators for minor children ...
John A.C. Keith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. John A.C., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John A.C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Nathan R. Olansen is the Managing Shareholder in the law firm of Midgett Preti Olansen. His practice is focused on estate planning, probate and trust administration, IRS and state and local tax audit and tax collection cases, as well as individual and entity tax planning, asset protection and a variety of related transactional matters such as business succession planning, business entity start-ups and tax planning for divorce. Nathan has extensive experience in drafting and implementing all t...
Matthew J. Yao, Esq. is an attorney and owner of Yao Law Firm, P.C. His practice is focused primarily on Estate Planning and Probate matters. Mr. Yao is an attorney that likes numbers, which is an unusual combination that has made him a highly sought-after administrator of Trusts, Estates, and Conservatorships. Dedicated to providing excellent service to his clients, Mr. Yao has received recognition and awards from SuperLawyers, BestLawyers, and Virginia Business LegalElite, among others. His...
Elizabeth Gray has practiced law in Virginia since 1996, with a focus on estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, guardianships, and estate administration. A graduate of Virginia’s unique Law Reader Program—an apprenticeship alternative to traditional law school—she brings a practical, approachable perspective to her work and tailors every plan to her clients’ individual needs. A Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) through the National Elder Law Foundation, ...
Rebecca Geller is an award-winning attorney, a philanthropist, a trailblazer, and a passionate advocate for equality and human rights. Rebecca is also a devoted wife, mom to three young kids + a dog, and community leader. While working as a corporate lawyer for an AmLaw 100 firm, Rebecca witnessed brilliant women fleeing the profession because big law firm partners showed disregard for attorneys’ lives outside the firm. As the mother of a baby and toddler at the time, Rebecca knew there...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.