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Serving Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Free Phone Consult: 571-800-0678

Probate, Trust Administration &
Fiduciary Services

Best Of Loudoun

Professional Guidance Through Probate or Trust Administration

Probate & Trust Administration – Let Us Carry the Burden So You Don’t Have To

Losing a loved one is hard enough.
When you’re also named as the Executor (Personal Representative) or Trustee, you suddenly inherit a second, unpaid, high-stakes job — one that comes with strict legal duties and serious personal liability if anything goes wrong.

The law holds fiduciaries to an extraordinarily high standard. Even honest mistakes can lead to lawsuits from family members, penalties from the court, or IRS problems that follow you personally for years.

As Executor or Trustee, you are legally required to:

  • Act with undivided loyalty — putting beneficiaries’ interests ahead of your own (no exceptions)
  • Invest assets prudently under the “Prudent Investor Rule”
  • Properly classify and allocate income vs. principal
  • Locate and secure (marshal) all assets
  • Pay debts, expenses, and taxes in the correct order and on time
  • Prepare detailed inventories and formal accountings
  • Keep beneficiaries reasonably informed
  • File estate, trust, and income tax returns (often in multiple jurisdictions)
  • Defend or pursue claims on behalf of the estate/trust
  • Determine and document your own compensation correctly
  • Make final distributions exactly as the Will or Trust requires

Most people have never done this before. It routinely takes hundreds of hours spread over 12–24 months (or longer if things get complicated). During that time you’re grieving, managing your own family and career, and often fielding emotional questions or criticism from relatives who think everything should move faster or differently.

You don’t have to do this alone — and you probably shouldn’t.

Why Smart Executors and Trustees Choose Legacy Elder Law Center

Smart fiduciaries know that settling an estate or administering a trust isn’t just paperwork—it’s a complex legal and financial responsibility with real consequences. That’s why they partner with Legacy Elder Law Center. With more than 30 years of experience in probate, trust administration, and fiduciary dispute resolution, our team provides the clarity, protection, and step-by-step guidance executors and trustees need to do the job right. We help you avoid costly mistakes, stay compliant with Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. requirements, and keep the process moving efficiently from start to finish.

Executors and trustees also choose us because we make their burden lighter. We translate complex legal requirements into clear action items, coordinate directly with financial institutions, creditors, and beneficiaries, and anticipate issues before they become problems. Whether your goal is to prevent family conflict, protect your liability, or simply ensure the estate is handled correctly, our firm provides the structure, support, and seasoned judgment that smart fiduciaries rely on.

At The Legacy Elder Law Center, you don’t have to navigate probate alone—you gain a trusted partner who makes a difficult process significantly easier.

“They help good people through difficult times…”

Online Reviews

Lisa Reeves
26/06/01
Great conversation. Eliz was very kind, personable and easy to understand. I trust the firm will do what they can to help me. Very honest.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Lisa, for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. We’re so pleased to hear that Elizabeth made you feel comfortable, listened to your concerns, and explained things in a way that was easy to understand. Building trust through honest guidance is very important to us, and we appreciate the opportunity to assist you.
Professional, knowledgable, met expectations
Response from the owner:Thank you Randy for taking the time to leave us a positive review!
Gail Scott
26/05/26
Our questions were answered and helped us understand what was needed and not needed in regards to probate proceedings. Emily was very pleasant, professional and knowledgeable. It was great to still have legal offices that are willing to do a free consultation.
Response from the owner:Hi Gail, Thank you for your kind words. We’re so glad Emily was able to answer your questions and help make the probate process easier to understand. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and are pleased the free consultation was helpful.
Legacy was very helpful in explaining Medicaid policies and explaining how I can keep my assets. I look forward to working with them . A little pricey but i think it will be worth it. Thank you Elizabeth
Response from the owner:Thank you, Deana, for your kind review and for trusting Legacy with your planning needs. We’re so glad Elizabeth was able to help explain Medicaid and asset protection options in a way that gave you peace of mind. We appreciate your honesty and look forward to working with you moving forward.
I had a family member pass away and I was really distraught I really had no clue what to do and I worked with Emily and she really made the process seamless and she helped me and my family navigate how to go about the probate court. I was honestly clueless and having this firm for support really helped the process move smoothly. Moving forward I highly recommend this firm specifically Emily. Thank you so much. She made the process not so overwhelming
Response from the owner:Thank you, Lyssa, for your kind words and recommendation. We are very sorry for your loss and understand how overwhelming the probate process can feel during such a difficult time. We’re so glad Emily was able to provide guidance, support, and reassurance for you and your family during this challenging period. Helping families navigate probate with compassion and clarity is very important to us, and we truly appreciate you trusting our firm to assist you. We will be sure to share your thoughtful feedback with Emily. Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience.
Provided strategic snd informative help in understanding the process of care for an aging spouse.
Response from the owner:Thank you, William, for your kind words. We’re glad we could provide strategic, informative guidance as you navigate care decisions for your spouse. These situations can be complex, and our goal is always to bring clarity and confidence to the process. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything further—we’re here to help.
Kamlesh Kaur
26/05/01
Excellent
Response from the owner:Thank you Kamlesh for taking the time to leave us good review!
Very professional and knowledgeable. We highly recommend this law firm!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Melissa, for your kind words! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It’s great to hear that you found our team to be professional and knowledgeable—that’s exactly what we strive for with every client. We’re grateful for your recommendation and were glad to have the opportunity to assist you!
Amber I
26/04/22
During a very difficult time in our lives losing our father, and everything surrounding the way it all happened, Emily was truly incredible. She went far beyond anything we could have hoped for, showing real compassion, strength, and unwavering support. She restored my faith in attorneys and helped carry my family through a time we will never forget. I’m forever grateful for her. Emily is truly one of a kind, a shining star in a dark tunnel. This team is lucky to have such a gem!
Response from the owner:Amber, thank you for taking the time to share this—especially during what sounds like an incredibly difficult and emotional time for your family. We are very sorry for your loss, and we truly appreciate you trusting us to be part of that process. Your words about Emily Wanchisn mean a great deal. She takes immense pride in supporting families not just legally, but personally, and it’s clear she made a meaningful impact for you when it mattered most. We’ll be sure to share this with her and the entire team. Thank you again for your kind words and for allowing us to assist your family during such a challenging time.

Memberships & Associations

Probate And Estate Administration
Probate And Estate Administration
Probate And Estate Administration
Probate And Estate Administration
Probate And Estate Administration
Probate And Estate Administration
Probate And Estate Administration
Probate And Estate Administration
Probate And Estate Administration

Legacy Elder Law Center’s ability to listen to you, map out a financial strategy and follow through with expert planning and advocacy is invaluable in securing your family’s financial future no matter what event comes along down the road.

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My phone consultation was very informative and very professional
I had an extraordinarily good experience working with Legacy Elder Law Center. Odalis Aviles handled the Medicaid application process for my brother-in-law. I was so nervous about the whole thing. Odalis walked me through the entire process. She was always calm and encouraging. She taught me patience! She had such a positive influence on me. I would recommend the Legacy Elder Law Center to everyone. You can trust them because they know what they are doing. They care and have your best interest at heart. They are the real deal. Thank you Odalis.
Excellent session! Emily listened very well and responded with thoughtful questions that helped provide clarity for all.
Our questions were answered and helped us understand what was needed and not needed in regards to probate proceedings. Emily was very pleasant, professional and knowledgeable. It was great to still have legal offices that are willing to do a free consultation.
Where to start! This law firm is FANTASTIC! As a child of elderly parents in the midst of an alarming legal situation dealing with their care, they were the only firm in town that 1. answered the phone and 2. connected me to someone who could help me right away. The person I worked with was Emily Wanchisn, a wonderful person and paralegal. She helped me interpret the legal documents that were signed by my parents, explained what my responsibilities and limitations were, and did it all with a kindness and compassion you don't find very often in the world these days. I was never once made to feel "crazy" which can happen when emotions are high. I hope someone reads this review and it informs their decision to hire this law firm. They are great and know their stuff!