Chester Elder Law Lawyers

John Whitbeck is the founder and partner of WhitbeckBennett. His practice focuses on family law, more specifically divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, domestic violence and protective orders, adoption, special education law, and mental health law.

He is a professor of law at George Mason University Law School, and the former Director of the George Mason University Law and Mental Illness Clinic.

John uses his expert knowledge of the law to advocate for his clients and their families.

Sali Duling practices law in Mechanicsville, Virginia, with her husband, Jeffrey Duling.

Van Smith focuses his practice on family law and estate planning, including divorce, custody and support matters. He is the sole owner of SMITH | STRONG, PLC, with offices in Richmond and Williamsburg, Virginia. Van’s family law practice resolves complex divorce, related tax and business issues, custody and support plans, property distribution, integrated solutions for wealth preservation and management post-separation, civil litigation, defense of juvenile and domestic relations court criminal matters, and estate planning. He also practices elder law, assisting families with planning effectively for nursing home costs. We recognize many of our family law clients are in...

Tax Representation: Brooke provides tax planning, audit representation, and tax controversy services including negotiating an offer-in-compromise, installment agreement, abatement requests and FBAR compliance programs. She also regularly represents business owners with payroll tax issues and trust fund interviews. Corporate: She represents small to mid-size businesses in various industries and is experienced in determining the appropriate entity formation, performing business planning, corporate governance, contract drafting and negotiation and tax compliance services. When her clients make the decision to terminate their involvement with the business, whether it is though a liquidation, bankruptcy reorganization, asset purchase agreement,...

Jeremy Pryor is a Principal at Carrell Blanton Ferris practicing in the areas of elder law, estate planning, estate administration, and incapacity-related litigation. He focuses his representation on protecting assets from the costs of long term care and advising clients seeking qualification for Medicaid benefits or the Veterans Affairs “Aid and Attendance” benefit. In addition to working with seniors and these programs, Jeremy spends a significant portion of his practice in court, representing clients in becoming guardians and conservators, litigating the use or alleged misuse of powers of attorney documents, and serving as a guardian ad litem for incapacitated adults....

I assist clients with legal problems in the areas of bankruptcy, divorce, wills and trusts, and probate or estate administration. I am an experienced trial lawyer and have been a member of the Virginia State Bar since 1987. While I am glad to help clients settle their legal matters expeditiously and at the lowest costs to their satisfaction, I welcome the opportunity to litigate contested matters when settlement is not an acceptable option. I particularly enjoy the interplay between different practice areas, and have helped clients with both marital or divorce problems and financial problems such as...

Wake Buxton is Managing Partner at TrustBuilders Law Group and President of TrustBuilders Fiduciary Group. He specializes in elder law, asset protection, and advanced wealth transfer as well as charitable giving and business succession planning. Mr. Buxton is an Accredited Estate Planner® and member of the Virginia, West Virginia, and Minnesota Bars as well as the United States Tax Court. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech, law degree from Regent University, and Master of Laws in Estate Planning from the University of Miami. He has also completed his graduate work in Financial Planning at Georgetown University and holds an...

Sheryl Herndon is the owner and founder of Herndon Law, P.C., a client-centered firm that specializes in General Estate Planning, Elder Law, Estate and Trust Administration, Fiduciary Services, Long-Term Care and Medicaid Planning, Guardianships and Conservatorships for Incapacitated Adults, Veterans Benefits, and representing clients in Involuntary Civil Commitment Proceedings. A Richmond native, Sheryl received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech (GO HOKIES!) and graduated cum laude from the University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law where she was a founding member of The Richmond Journal of Law and Technology, the world’s first law review to be published exclusively online. ...

I am an attorney in a general practice law firm. The focus of my practice is domestic relations and civil litigation. I represent clients in complex custody and visitation cases, divorces, modification and enforcement of court orders and negotiation of settlement agreements.

I bring my real life experience to the practice of law. As a divorced parent and step-parent, I understand the financial and emotional challenges which can arise and the demands of co-parenting and blended families. I am a strong advocate of "sparing the children" and I am committed to creative problem solving which allows...

U Mass Amherst - University of Massachusetts at Amherst - Political Science - Undergraduate Degree

Real Estate Broker License - Commonwealth of Virginia

Juris Doctorate Degree - Law Degree - Liberty University School of Law - Lynchburg, Virginia

Virginia State Bar - Commonwealth of Virginia

Dominic P. Lascara is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia. He graduated in 1986 from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary after receiving his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, in Business Administration in 1981 from Old Dominion University. Dominic P. Lascara joined the law firm of Roy, Forehand, Laine and Dale, P.C. as an associate in the fall of 1986 after being admitted to the Virginia State Bar. He was admitted to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in 1987. He became a partner...

Shannon Laymon-Pecoraro is a Certified Elder Law Attorney of Parks Zeigler, PLLC practicing in the areas of elder law, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, estate planning, asset protection planning, financial planning, guardianships and conservatorships. Prior to joining the firm Ms. Laymon-Pecoraro spent 10 years at Hook Law Center, P.C. Ms. Laymon Pecoraro has a passion for special needs planning, which has resulted in her becoming a go-to for personal injury attorneys who need assistance navigating public benefits or otherwise protecting a client’s funds. As a result, Ms. Laymon-Pecoraro has worked on hundreds of personal injury cases, developing settlement trusts,...

Mark L. Stevenson is a skilled attorney and short-sale negotiator barred in Virginia , North Carolina, and Michigan. Currently, his practice focuses on Real Estate, Estate Planning, and Business matters on the Peninsula.

Prior to joining Hanger Law, he spent three years processing and successfully negotiating short sales in some of the hardest hit regions of Michigan, including Flint and metro Detroit. Mark prides himself on facilitating deals with multiple parties to achieve positive results for clients.

A local, Mark graduated from Tallwood High School and went on to get a B.S. in Chemistry at Old Dominion University, graduating cum laude, and...

Sean provides legal counsel to clients when they have a need for guidance on any matters involving Real Estate, Estate Planning, or Business Structuring. He works closely with clients to understand the unique issues they are facing and to customize a solution for their individual needs. Prior to joining Hanger Law, Sean was a commercial real estate broker and specialized in negotiating leases and purchase contracts for retail developments and Class A office space. With nearly a decade of real estate experience as a REALTOR®, Sean brings to Hanger Law his extensive real estate knowledge and unique perspective on the...

Andrew H. “Andy” Hook is the president of Hook Law Center, where he practices in the areas of elder law, estate and trust administration, estate, tax, retirement and financial planning, long-term care planning, asset protection planning, special needs planning, business succession planning and personal injury settlement consulting. A 1975 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Mr. Hook is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Mr. Hook is certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law...

Angela is the leader of The Manz Law Firm pack, with the key purpose of helping clients achieve two main goals: planning for the future and coping during times of crisis. Angela graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and acquired her Juris Doctorate at the College of William and Mary, Marshal Wythe School of Law. Having practiced for over a decade, Angela focuses her firm’s efforts on estate planning and helping families obtain Medicaid and Veterans Administration benefits to pay for long-term care. Angela dedicates her time, energy and legal expertise to helping you and...

Chuck has practiced in Winchester and throughout northern Virginia since 2007. He is both a lawyer and a Certified Public Accountant (with an LL.M in Tax and Estate Planning) and worked in public accounting before attending law school. Chuck’s practice focuses on complex estate planning and administration matters, resolving tax disputes, business planning, choice of entity, conservation easements and other business matters. Chuck has extensive training in complex estate and business matters and his practice focuses primarily on business owners and families with more than $1 million in liquid assets. Chuck regularly works to resolve family disputes, establish business...

Letha Sgritta McDowell is a highly accomplished attorney and shareholder at McDowell Law Group, specializing in various areas of elder law, including estate planning, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection planning, long-term care planning, personal injury settlement consulting, guardianships & conservatorships, and tax law. Her expertise ranges from assisting clients with complex estate planning for high-net-worth individuals with assets over $75 million to developing simple plans for families with limited assets. Ms. McDowell has a distinguished professional background. She served as the President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a notable position within the field....

Lindsay M. Barton is an associate focusing her practice and providing client guidance in Real Estate, Estate Planning, Civil Litigation, and miscellaneous legal matters.

Lindsay graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. While at Berkeley, Lindsay was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority and had the fortunate experience of working and studying in Spain where she gained command of the Spanish language and exposure to its cultural, political, and legal systems.

Lindsay received her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. During her tenure at Loyola, Lindsay was distinguished as a top oralist and...

I am an admitted attorney in both California (currently inactive) and Virginia, with my main physical legal services office located in Newport News, Virginia. I provide services for most of your personal, family and small business legal needs with a focus on planning for a life well lived. As a second career attorney, I have had years of experience in business and in life. This helps me better understand my clients and their situations so that we can work together to get the best result for that client. If you need help with: Virginia Estate Planning and Elder Law ...

Jeana P. McMurray is an experienced litigator with a strong background in matters of real estate, title, foreclosure, landlord tenant, collections, contracts, wills, estates, and business disputes. Jeana prides herself on being able to swiftly resolve matters for her clients using both alternative dispute resolution and tactful litigation when the situation calls for it.

Jeana has been in private practice representing homeowners, mortgage lenders, loan servicers, banks, landlords, business owners, and families since 2012 and has handled matters ranging from complex mortgage disputes to simple will or deed drafting. Jeana takes a personal interest in each of her clients ensuring...

Unlike most attorneys, Hunter Hanger entered the legal field to be around people. His primary motivator is to see clients empowered through understanding, and protected by an assertive legal advocate.

Prior to practicing law, he worked in DC on Capitol Hill and in Real Estate in Los Angeles, CA. A natural activator, Hunter works tirelessly to get transactions moved to closing in a timely and exact manner.

Entering Real Estate Law during a significant market downturn, Hunter cut his teeth negotiating short sale deficiencies against Big Banks. The key to success requires skilled navigation of large bureaucracies and mastery of the...

In practice since 1987, Attorney Evan Farr is widely recognized as one of the leading Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Specials Needs attorneys in Virginia, DC, and Maryland, and one of foremost experts in the Country in the field of Medicaid Asset Protection and related Trusts. Evan Farr has been quoted or cited as an expert by numerous sources, including the Washington Post, Newsweek Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, Trusts & Estates Magazine, The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Bar Association, and has been featured as a guest speaker on television and numerous radio shows, including Fairfax...

Mr. Lipskis is an Estate and Elder Law attorney. He is licensed to practice in all Virginia Courts, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. His practice includes all facets of trusts, estate planning, estate administration, and elder law. Whether it be helping a young couple take appropriate steps for their children or protecting family wealth from potential creditors and taxation, Mr. Lipskis enjoys assisting families in understanding their planning needs. He also enjoys working collaboratively with financial advisors to make sure their estate plans match up with each client’s personal financial...

Husband, father, and Christian. My firm handles estate planning and elder law throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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...

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...

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.

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.

Mike Hollingsworth is an aggressive, compassionate, honest attorney based in Old Town Alexandria, VA. He has extensive successful trial and appellate experience in state and federal court. Mike brings over a decade of experience to his practice in criminal and civil litigation and is rated a top lawyer by Northern Virginia Magazine, Super Lawyers® and Best Lawyers®. Mike advocates aggressively but compassionately for his clients with a keen sense for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of both sides of every case. Mike has achieved dozens of winning verdicts and case dismissals over his career.

You're never too young or too old to start thinking about the legacy you will leave behind. Estate planning is necessary for the very young and the very old. It's necessary for those with many assets, and those with few. It's necessary for single people and married couples, with kids and without. Too many people think estate planning is for "someone else." But the reality is that estate planning is for everyone. It's not about your death, it's about the lives of those you love. We use a unique life-stage approach to estate planning; we consider your needs...

Ari graduated cum laude from Boston College Law School, where he was the Managing Editor of the Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review. Originally from Boston, MA, Ari relocated to Virginia in 2011 after meeting his bride, Garland, and joined the Stapleton Elder Law family soon thereafter. The couple wed in Clarke County in 2012 and live “happily ever after” in Charlottesville. Ari and Garland welcomed their first child, Elspeth Margaret, in March, 2015. While Ari’s focus in on Elder Law and Asset Protection, he is also an expert on Veterans benefits. Ari takes the time to listen to...

Deborah N. Arthur has built a long-standing reputation in the Fairfax County, Virginia community for being an attorney with a drive for success. Earning her B.S. in Business Administration from George Mason University in 1977, she continued her education, earning her J.D. from George Mason University in 1982, after spending two years at the Department of Justice. Since then, she has assisted those in need of legal representation in matters concerning divorce, bankruptcy, personal injury, family law, and estate matters. So, what separates Mrs. Arthur from the crowd? She understands that bad things sometimes happen to good people. That's why she...

Coming to the Oast & Taylor team with valued legal experience, Ms. Smith adds significant skill and talent to our practice. Certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), she offers clients exceptional legal assistance in the areas of Elder Law, Estate Planning, Estate and Trust Administration, Asset Protection Planning, Special Needs Planning, Long-term Care Planning and Veterans Benefits Planning. Ms. Smith is a twenty year veteran of the United States Air Force. Her ongoing work with veterans in our community includes the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims for veterans benefits...

Brad Brickhouse adds significant talent to the Oast & Taylor team and shows his commitment to our community by serving every client with a clear focus of their personal goals in mind. His primary areas of practice include Elder Law, Guardianships and Conservatorships, Financial Abuse, Estate and Trust Disputes, and Will Contests.

My legal practice involves both planning and litigation in my practice areas, all of which is done from Little Haven Farm, a 4-acre horse farm and my residence. Personal time is spent riding horses, working on my English gardens and playing the piano.

Rod Sutherland began his legal career in 1982, and emphasizes legal service concerning Estate, Will and Trust planning, as well as Business Succession planning. Rod understands that each individual's and each family's needs are different and that it is very important to create estate plans that are custom made for his clients.

B.A. University of Richmond 1975 J.D. University of Richmond - T.C. Williams School of Law 1980