Effective estate planning gives your family financial security and peace of mind for generations. Without it, funeral costs, estate taxes, and other obligations can weigh on your loved ones long after you’re gone. The attorneys at Decker Law prepare comprehensive wills, trusts, and estate plans that let your life’s work keep providing for the people you care about. Call 757-622-3317 to schedule a consultation.
COMPREHENSIVE WILLS & TRUSTS
Every family’s needs are different, so we build customized plans with close, personal guidance — helping you navigate the difficult moments that can arise during illness or after a death. Properly structured wills and trusts, backed by sound planning, can also help minimize the tax burden on your beneficiaries.
Services:
• Wills and testament preparation • Living wills and advance directives • Revocable and irrevocable trusts • Powers of attorney (financial and healthcare) • Advance medical directives • Tax planning strategies
COMMON ESTATE PLANNING QUESTIONS
Do I need a will, a trust, or both?
A will directs who receives your assets and names a guardian for minor children, but it passes through probate. A trust can avoid probate, keep matters private, and manage assets if you become incapacitated. Many families benefit from both — we help you decide what fits your situation.
What happens if I die without a will in Virginia?
You’re said to die “intestate,” and Virginia’s laws — not you — decide who inherits (Va. Code § 64.2-200 and following). That default may not match your wishes, and it can leave your family with added cost and delay. A valid will keeps those decisions yours.
What is a power of attorney, and why do I need one?
It lets someone you trust manage your finances or make medical decisions if you can’t. Without one, your family may have to petition a court for guardianship or conservatorship — a slow, public, and costly process that a simple document can prevent.
What is an advance medical directive?
Often called a living will, it records your wishes for medical care and names someone to make healthcare decisions if you’re unable to (Va. Code § 54.1-2981 and following). It spares your loved ones from having to guess during a crisis.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review it after major life changes — marriage, divorce, a birth, a death, or a significant change in assets — and every few years otherwise. An out-of-date plan can be as hard on your family as no plan at all.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Peter Decker, III
Peter Decker, III focuses his practice on criminal, traffic, and personal injury. He regularly practices in the General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Suffolk and Newport News.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Michelle Parker
Michelle Parker concentrates on personal injury, elder law, wills, trusts and estates, litigation, corporate law, and criminal defense. She handles civil, probate, and traffic cases throughout the seven cities of Greater Hampton Roads.
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George Neskis
George Neskis represents clients charged with criminal and traffic offenses — from DUI and reckless driving to felony matters — and also handles personal injury. A former Norfolk Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, he practices across all seven Hampton Roads cities and has been named to Super Lawyers for criminal defense.
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Joseph Rigney
A Chesapeake native and former prosecutor, Joseph Rigney focuses on personal injury and criminal defense, including traffic law. He tries both civil and criminal cases in the courts of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News.
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Joel Weintraub
Joel Weintraub has been practicing law for over 40 years and focuses his practice on civil litigation involving disputes between individuals and corporations. Joel’s recent cases involve corporate litigation, personal injury, business law, will and trust contests and interpretation, shareholder rights, and estate administration.
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Cole Roberts
A Norfolk native and former Public Defender, Cole Roberts represents clients in criminal defense and traffic matters, from reckless driving and DUI to serious felonies. He has tried numerous jury cases across the seven Hampton Roads cities.
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Jeffrey Partington
A Virginia Beach native, Jeffrey Partington serves clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and business law, and has worked both sides of the aisle. He practices in the courts of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Suffolk.
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Martin Thomas
Martin Thomas is the firm’s president and managing attorney, concentrating on personal injury, criminal, and traffic law. He handles multimillion-dollar injury cases throughout Virginia and has been named to Super Lawyers for personal injury.
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Martin Thomas, Jr.
Martin Thomas, Jr. focuses on personal injury, criminal, and traffic law, along with contract law and civil litigation. He tries cases in the courts of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake, and serves on Norfolk City Council.
Helping families across Hampton Roads secure their futures is a priority for us. Whether you need a living will, protective trusts, or a comprehensive plan, we work closely with each client — with the compassion and discretion these sensitive family matters deserve — to ensure lasting stability and peace of mind.
Planning for the future is one of the most caring things you can do for the people you love. The attorneys of Decker Law will help you put the right protections in place — with the compassion and discretion these decisions deserve — so your family has clarity when it matters most. Reach us by text, chat, phone, or email, or call right now at 757-622-3317.
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December 2 2025
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