Rappahannock Academy Estate Planning Lawyers

Eleven years’ legal experience in business law, corporate formation, compliance, complex consumer litigation, regulatory, contracts and bankruptcy law. Local experience in family law; advocate for domestic violence survivors. Four years in Am Law (top 100 American law firms) located in DC, with business, bankruptcy and commercial litigation focus. Experience in automotive and construction fraud litigation. Fifteen years’ corporate experience, gained as business owner, award-winning author and airplane owner. Advanced knowledge of and experience working with UDAAP, Bankruptcy rules...

Hi, I'm Matthew.



I approach the practice of law with a focus on helping my clients understand an often complicated legal system. Working collaboratively allows me to anticipate my clients' needs, while also aiding my clients by providing them an informed view of all the potential dangers and rewards of each unique case. My primary practice areas are Divorce, Child Custody, Trusts & Wills and Bankruptcy. However, I also provide legal support for small businesses looking to incorporate, resolve disputes with employees or review potential contracts and business transactions.

Karen L. Rowell is an associate attorney with Clark & Bradshaw, P.C. Ms. Rowell grew up in Roanoke County, Virginia, graduating from Cave Spring High School. She received her baccalaureate degree in Family & Child Development from Virginia Tech and her juris doctor from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary. Ms. Rowell served as a Cryptologic Technician Interpretive in the United States Navy for five years prior to attending law school and has been practicing law in Harrisonburg since 2008. Ms. Rowell focuses her practice on wills & estate planning, advanced...

Benjamin has always stood up for what’s right – he finds real meaning in helping the good guys win! He’s always been guided by a clear sense of right and wrong, from his time in the U.S. Army to his time as a Commonwealth Attorney (prosecutor), to his current position at J. Madison PLC.
Before starting at J. Madison PLC, Benjamin worked at the Arlington Commonwealth Attorney’s Office for five years. As a Commonwealth Attorney, he helped the victims of violent, non-violent, and financial crimes find justice. He also tried hundreds of traffic cases and specialized in DUI cases. ...

I represent small, medium, national and international businesses, non-profits and individuals on a wide variety of corporate and business matters, including forming companies, drafting and negotiating contracts, dealing with employment matters, handling real estate and land use issues, collecting receivables, and defending and prosecuting litigation. I also assist many clients with their elder care, estate planning and estate administration needs, including drafting wills and trusts, assisting with the appointment of guardians and conservators, and the Virginia probate process. I strongly believe that clients receive the best legal services from an attorney who is intimately familiar with their businesses and goals....

J. Douglas McCarthy is a founding partner of McCarthy & Akers, PLC. His practice focuses on transactional law dealing with Estate Planning, Real Estate and Corporate matters. Prior to founding McCarthy & Akers, PLC, Mr. McCarthy was a partner in the Winchester, Virginia law firm of Groves and McCarthy.

Mr. McCarthy received his J.D. from the Keller School of Law at The University of Dayton, in Dayton, Ohio, where he earned honors in the fields of Taxation, Wills and Trusts. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, where he majored in Political Science.

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...

Stephen has been licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 2010. In 2011, after completing his law degree and passing the bar, Stephen founded Quest Law PLLC, a solo practice, in Richmond, Virginia. Since then, he has been practicing as a litigator in Chesterfield, Henrico, and Richmond City courts. He represents clients who have been charged with a variety of criminal offenses and also handles family legal matters that require litigation. Contact Quest Law PLLC in Midlothian to schedule a meeting with Stephen.

Tara was born and raised in northern New Jersey where she worked full time to put herself through college and law school part time. She graduated from Rutgers School of Law in New Jersey with an academic award. While attending Rutgers Law School Tara served as facilitator of study groups in the minority student program, teaching assistant, and Editor of the Women’s Rights Law Reporter. Tara is committed to protecting what matters most. Tara has been practicing family law, trust and estates, for six years. Her 18 years of negotiation experience, and ability to evaluate...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Ms. Fine has practiced law for 35 years, the last 28 in Virginia. Her business law experience started immediately after graduating from Boston College Law School in 1982 when she worked at a 50-attorney Boston law firm. In 1989 she joined the Costello Dickenson firm in Winchester, Virginia, and in 1990 opened her own firm.

Ms. Fine has extensive practice drafting business contracts, including buy-sell agreements, employment agreements and non-competition agreements, and, balancing that experience, she reviews and litigates contracts drafted by other attorneys.

Her Wills, Trusts and Estates practice involves planning, drafting estate documents and probate litigation.

Her equine practice is an...

I came to the Mathews/Gloucester area after practicing in Hampton. My focus is state litigation, trusts, deeds, wills, and estate planning and administration.

I am on the Board of Directors of HeadStart, am a current or former officer with the Lions Charity Foundation and Middle Peninsula Bar Association. Also a member of the Mathews Ruritans.

I volunteer time and resources for most community functions.

Name and co-founding partner Michele L. Burton was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. She attended the University of Virginia where she obtained Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Anthropology. Shortly thereafter, Michele graduated from Old Dominion University with a Master of Arts in Humanities with a focus on Race and Law. In May 2012, she graduated from the College of William and Mary School of Law with a Juris Doctorate and passed the bar in October of that year. Upon graduation, Michele worked as a magistrate in Norfolk, Virginia for two years where she conducted probable cause...

My passion is helping individuals, families, and business owners achieve peace of mind by developing and implementing creative, customized, and yet cost effective plans. As part of my goal oriented estate planning process, I first seek to understand your goals and needs. My advice focuses on how your estate planning documents advance your goals. I use plain English and easy to understand visual aids, so you know what you need to do in order ensure that your plan works the way you intend. My personal mission is to make estate planning as accessible, efficient and streamlined as possible...

Lewis A. Martin, III began his law practice by joining his father upon his graduation with a JD from the University of Virginia in 1979. He focuses his practice in the areas of real property law, including commercial real estate, mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens, like-kind exchanges, and advanced property conveyances and financing, as well as estate planning and administration, serving as an Assistant Commissioner of Accounts for Albemarle County, Virginia. Mr. Martin was born and raised in Charlottesville, and values the relationships he’s developed through a lifetime of calling Central Virginia his home.

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...

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.

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...

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...

Nate L. Adams, III, was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 1981. Since that time, he has tried or argued cases at every level of the Virginia Courts and, with the sole exception of the U.S. Supreme Court, the Federal Courts. He concentrates his practice in business law, incorporation law, workers' compensation, creditor's rights, employment law for both employers and employees, domestic relations, and personal injury.

Mr. Adams is a graduate of the College of William and Mary (A.B., 1977) and the Washington and Lee University School of Law (J.D., 1981).

Mr. Adams is active in the Winchester community, currently...

Paul spends his time preparing estate planning documents and helping his clients probate estates. He specializes in accommodating clients' busy schedules in working on their cases, with evening and weekend appointments available.

R. Glen Morgan Attorney, PLC is a Chesterfield law firm specializing in Divorce, Custody and Visitation, Estate Planning, Real Estate, Criminal, and Business law.

Glen is a lifelong resident of Chesterfield County. He has practiced law in the Commonwealth of Virginia since he graduated from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond in 1983. Glen graduated from Randolph Macon College in 1974 with Honors and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa.

Prior to attending law school, Glen was a high school teacher and coach in Chesterfield County from 1975 to 1980....

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. ...

Estate Planning is a combination of your hopes, dreams, goals, fears, expectations, concerns, and thoughts for your loved ones and most importantly – for YOU. We provide a personalized plan that encompasses all that into comprehensive legal documents that spell out your wishes in a written legacy. Our world is quickly changing and we know you work hard caring for the people in your life. You may have experienced Dementia, Sickness, Special Needs or just plain Silliness in your loved ones and our documents provide solutions to prevent those experiences from pulling apart the Legacy you have built and want to...