Trust & Estates Attorney

Woods Rogers seeks a Trust and Estates Attorney to join its dynamic Trust & Estates team. The Trust and Estates Attorney specializes in advising clients on estate planning, asset protection, probate, and trust administration matters. The attorney works with individuals and families to help them manage their wealth and plan for the transfer of their assets upon death. This includes drafting wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other legal documents, as well as providing counsel on tax implications, charitable giving, and complex family dynamics.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

Licensing:

• Admission to the state bar of Virginia.

Experience:

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in trust and estate planning, trust administration, probate law, or related fields.
• Experience with complex estate planning (including business succession, tax-efficient planning, and charitable planning) is preferred.
• Familiarity with estate and trust litigation.

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of trust and estate law, including relevant tax codes, probate procedures, and asset protection strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts in a clear, understandable manner.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Proficiency in legal research and utilizing relevant software tools (e.g., Trust administration platforms, MS Office Suite, Westlaw, etc.).

Personal Attributes:

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work well with clients, family members, and other professionals (financial advisors, accountants, etc.).
• Empathy and discretion when dealing with sensitive family and financial matters.
• A client-focused, solutions-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities

Estate Planning:

• Advise clients on estate planning strategies to minimize taxes, avoid probate, and ensure proper asset distribution.
• Draft and review wills, trusts (revocable and irrevocable), durable powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and other estate planning documents.
• Tailor estate plans to address specific client needs, including asset protection, family governance, and charitable giving.

Trust Administration:

• Guide clients through the administration of trusts, including duties of trustees, managing trust assets, and distributing assets to beneficiaries.
• Assist in the preparation of trust accountings, tax filings, and other necessary documentation.
• Advise trustees on fiduciary duties and compliance with trust terms.

Probate and Estate Administration:

• Represent clients in probate proceedings, including the appointment of executors and personal representatives, and facilitate the probate process in accordance with state laws.
• Prepare and file necessary documents with probate courts and handle any litigation related to estate disputes.
• Help clients navigate the distribution of assets according to a decedent’s will or trust, ensuring all legal and tax requirements are met.

Tax Planning:

• Advise clients on estate and gift tax matters, helping them minimize tax liabilities through proper planning and strategies.
• Work with accountants and financial advisors to ensure tax-efficient planning, including generation-skipping transfer tax and other complex tax issues.

Charitable Giving:

• Provide counsel on charitable giving strategies, including drafting charitable trusts, foundations, and bequests.
• Advise clients on the tax benefits of charitable giving, including maximizing deductions and ensuring compliance with IRS regulations.

Litigation Support:

• Handle or support litigation matters relating to trusts and estates, including contested wills, trust disputes, and claims of breach of fiduciary duty.
• Represent clients in disputes over estate administration, including actions against executors, trustees, or beneficiaries.

Client Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain long-term relationships with clients, offering proactive advice on life changes (e.g., marriage, divorce, birth of children, etc.).
• Act as a trusted advisor, addressing both the legal and emotional aspects of estate planning and family dynamics.

Legal Research and Continuing Education:

• Stay current on changes in laws, regulations, and trends affecting trusts and estates, including state-specific probate laws and federal tax policy.
• Attend professional development seminars, conferences, and participate in relevant legal associations to stay abreast of industry developments.

All other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits Include:

Medical Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) matching

Paid Holidays

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Work Environment

Professional office environment

Travel is required to attend client meetings, court proceedings and other related events.

Applications

Woods Rogers is an equal opportunity employer. Review of applications will begin immediately. This position will remain open for applications until filled.