Verona Estate Planning Lawyers

Welcome to Staunton Law, a veteran-owned small business deeply rooted in the values of loyalty and dedication. Our founder, Nathan Recta, exemplifies a lifelong commitment to service, both during his military career and now in the legal profession. At Staunton Law, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional legal services that produce meaningful results for our clients. Nathan's journey in law is as unique as it is inspiring. Raised in a military family, he enlisted in the Army in 2009, serving honorably for over a decade before retiring in 2019. His final assignment was at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). With a...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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

Lee R. Taylor holds a B.A. in Psychology from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and his J.D. law degree from the Mercer University School of Law. While still in law school, he had already started his career in the legal profession as part of the university's third-year practice program. Taylor has considerable experience on both sides of the courtroom: Before moving into a private practice that involves both civil litigation and criminal defense cases, he had served as an assistant district attorney for Dalton, GA; as city attorney for the city of Ellijay, GA, and as county attorney for Gilmer...

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

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.

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...

Rebecca began her business with the goal of helping families through a range of family issues from divorce and separation to creating cohesive estate plans. Through a strong focus on people - both clients and employees - the firm has grown and expanded into new markets. Our offices now serve northern Virginia, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

I was born and grew up in the area - my family has served the legal needs of the area since 1892, over 120 years. My goal is to explain the legal process in plain English and to avoid the 'technical lawyer words' which only confuse many people. The primary focus of my firm is now "Elder Law" which broadly includes estate planning, Nursing Home admissions and Medicaid applications and adult guardianship. After a family member dies, we advise and assist in the estate administration process. In short, we help families plan and deal with aging...

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.

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....

My practice area focus is primarily criminal defense, traffic defense, and civil litigation in Southwest Virginia. I am also admitted to practice in Washington, D.C., the United States Eastern District of Virginia and the United States Western District Court of Virginia. When I'm not in the courtroom, I enjoy horseback riding and am often found trail riding on the weekends. If you have any questions and would like to speak with me, feel free to call the office at 540-339-7775.

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...

I represent clients primarily in Family Law matters such as divorce, custody, visitation, spousal and child support, protective orders and the drafting of property settlement agreements.

Having witnessed my own parents’ divorce in my late teens, I have a unique perspective and experience that I am able to provide to my clients. I enjoy being able to counsel them through tough life transitions. Family law issues are some of the most difficult legal issues a person can face and I believe that it is important to treat every person and situation with respect. I am able to listen to my clients...

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...

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.

The laws touch everyone's life, but not everyone feels like they can access the law when they have problems. Almost everyone has an encounter with housing issues, aging and elder law, special needs, estate planning or probate, but not everyone feels like they can find the right attorney. I focus on making the law accessible to people who need help vindicating their rights and benefiting from the legal system. As a Virginia licensed attorney with more than a decade of experience, I have represented and successfully counseled and advocated for a diverse group of clients,...

Gene received his B.S. degree in Material Science from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Columbia University. He received his J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center and served as Senior Editor for the Georgetown Journal on Poverty and Policy. Through competitive selection processes, Gene was selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 - (DC/VA), 2014 (DC)(Law & Politics Magazine) and as Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite (Taxes, Estates and Trusts, 2008, 2010, & 2013). Featured on Fox News and other media outlets, he also is an active member of...

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...

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...

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...

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 am a tenacious Roanoke lawyer who puts my clients' interests first. As a general practice attorney, I have extensive experience in many different areas of the law, including: business formation and corporate governance, general civil litigation, family law (divorce, support and custody), plaintiff's personal injury, GAO protests and federal procurement law, bankruptcy (Chapters 7 and 13), construction litigation, civil rights and s. 1983 cases, protective orders, and alternative dispute resolution. This broad experience allows me to bring a different perspective to bear in my practice. I have won jury and bench trials in Virginia, and have been victorious...

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...

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,...

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 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.

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...

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.

Kerri Castellini is primarily a DC-based attorney with a focus on estate and trust administration, guardianship for incapacitated adults and minors, and estate planning. She brings her legal experience to the Trusts and Estates Practice Group and is currently admitted to practice law in Washington DC, Maryland, and before the supreme court. She is passionate about providing a high level of attention to her clients to come up with a plan that is best for their unique circumstances.

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...

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....