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Don Shaw Law

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We provide estate planning, probate, and guardianship services. Dealing with legal issues can be incredibly stressful. I also have a daughter with special needs.

Having an advocate who appreciates your unique situation can make a significant difference. My experiences inform my perspective as a lawyer. As a military retiree, I understand the challenges service members and veterans face. I established my law office to offer legal services in Estate Planning and Elder Law; paying special attention to both military/veterans' issues and special needs concerns. My background gives me the ability to see your situation through the eyes of someone who has been there. I work hard to help clients in every situation, taking care to put complex legal issues into easily understandable language. I take great pride in developing real connections with clients; treating clients with respect and spending time to make sure that they fully understand the process they are going through. When you need counsel on a major, life-impacting decision, you deserve an attorney who will listen to you, thoroughly examine the facts, and help you work toward the best possible solution for you, your family, and your future. There's no need to handle these difficult matters of law alone. The Law Office Of Donald B. Shaw II, PLLC offers free initial consultations for your legal matters. In the interest of safety, all our consultations are currently conducted in a virtual online environment. Complete the contact form and someone will be in touch with you shortly.

10/19/2026

This week, take a few quiet minutes to check in with your estate plan. No judgment, just an honest look at what matters most.

1) Who should make financial and health care decisions for me if I cannot?

2) Who would raise my children, and have I clearly named that person in my plan?

3) Did I name successor decision-makers, trustees, guardians, or personal representatives in case my first choices cannot serve?

4) Is anything out of date? Consider changes in your family, finances, relationships, health, or wishes.

5) Does my family know where to find my important documents, and who to contact?

Estate planning is not about expecting the worst. It is about making things clearer and less stressful for the people you love.

If your answers raise questions, we are here to help. Schedule a conversation with our team: https://donshawlaw.com/book-a-call/

10/16/2026

The countdown is on! 🎉 National Estate Planning Awareness Week begins Monday, October 19, and runs through October 25.

Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing practical reminders about planning for the people and priorities that matter most, whether you’re thinking about wills and trusts, powers of attorney, guardianship, or simply getting organized for the future.

Estate planning isn’t only for the wealthy or the elderly. It’s for families at every stage of life, and starting the conversation can bring real peace of mind.

We’re looking forward to making estate planning clearer and more approachable. Ready to take the first step? Book a call with our team: https://donshawlaw.com/book-a-call/

10/14/2026

Do you actually need a revocable living trust in Virginia? The answer depends on your family, your assets, and your goals, not on a one-size-fits-all checklist.

A living trust may be helpful if you want to:

• Reduce or avoid probate for assets properly transferred to the trust
• Make it easier for someone to manage your finances if you become incapacitated
• Keep certain estate details more private
• Plan thoughtfully for a blended family
• Manage real estate located in Virginia and other states

For some families, a will paired with financial and health-care powers of attorney may be enough, especially when assets and family circumstances are relatively straightforward. A will does not generally avoid probate, but probate is not always a problem or something that every family needs to avoid.

The important detail: a trust only works as intended when it is properly drafted, funded, and coordinated with your beneficiary designations and other documents.

Our team can help you understand your options under Virginia law and choose a plan that fits your family, not someone else’s formula.

Schedule a conversation: https://donshawlaw.com/book-a-call/

10/12/2026

When grandparents step in to raise a child, love may come first, but legal authority matters, too. ❤️

In Virginia, a kinship caregiver may need a formal legal arrangement to handle important responsibilities, including:

• Enrolling a child in school
• Making medical decisions
• Accessing benefits and services
• Providing stability during a difficult transition

Guardianship may be one option, but the right path depends on your family’s circumstances. Our team can help you understand the choices, prepare the necessary documents, and take the next step with confidence.

If you or another relative is caring for a child, you do not have to navigate this alone. Schedule a conversation with us: https://donshawlaw.com/book-a-call/

We’re here to help Virginia families protect what matters most. 😊

10/09/2026

Your digital life is part of your estate, too.

Think about your online accounts, email, cloud photos, cryptocurrency, business accounts, and social media. If something happens to you, will the people you trust know what exists, and have the authority to handle it?

Virginia’s Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act provides a framework for authorizing a fiduciary to access and manage certain digital assets. But your wishes still need to be clearly documented and coordinated with the terms of your estate plan and online accounts.

A thoughtful plan can help your family protect important memories, manage accounts, address digital property, and avoid unnecessary confusion during an already difficult time.

Digital assets change quickly. Your estate plan should keep up.

We’re here to help you protect what matters most, both online and off. Schedule a consultation: https://donshawlaw.com/book-a-call/

10/07/2026

No will doesn’t mean no plan. It means Virginia’s default plan takes over.

When someone dies without a will, Virginia’s intestacy laws determine who inherits. The Virginia Code identifies the statutory heirs, and the estate follows those rules, not the wishes your family may have discussed informally.

The court or clerk also follows a legal process to determine who may serve as administrator. Your family may not be able to choose the person they trust most, and they may have no say in how the estate is distributed.

That default plan may not reflect your family’s needs, your relationships, or your wishes. A will gives you the opportunity to name the people you want to inherit and identify the person you trust to help handle your estate.

We’re here to help you understand your options and protect what matters most. Make an appointment with our team: https://donshawlaw.com/book-a-call/

This post provides general information about Virginia law, not legal advice for a specific situation.

10/05/2026

The first ten days after a loved one dies can feel overwhelming. If you’re serving as an executor, or personal representative, in Virginia, start with these practical steps:

1️⃣ Locate the original will and other important documents.
2️⃣ Order several certified copies of the death certificate.
3️⃣ Secure the home, vehicles, valuables, pets, and important mail.
4️⃣ Contact the Virginia Circuit Court clerk where your loved one lived to learn about qualifying as personal representative and filing the will.
5️⃣ Notify agencies and organizations that need to know, such as Social Security, the VA, insurers, and financial institutions.
6️⃣ Make a list of assets, accounts, property, and regular bills.
7️⃣ Identify potential debts, but avoid paying or distributing assets too quickly.
8️⃣ Once qualified, obtain an estate tax ID and open an estate account to keep estate funds separate.
9️⃣ Preserve records of every expense, payment, letter, and decision.
🔟 Get guidance early if there is real estate, a business, a family disagreement, or uncertainty about the will.

You do not have to navigate the process alone. Our team helps Virginia families understand the next steps and protect the estate throughout administration.

Schedule a consultation: https://donshawlaw.com/book-a-call/

This post is for general information and is not legal advice.

10/02/2026

October is here, and it’s the perfect time to give your estate plan a thoughtful check-in. 🎉

This month, take a few minutes to:

✓ Review your beneficiaries on accounts and insurance policies
✓ Confirm your chosen guardians for minor children
✓ Check that your powers of attorney still reflect your wishes
✓ Gather and organize your important legal and financial documents

Life changes, and your estate plan should keep pace. Whether your family has grown, your circumstances have shifted, or you simply want greater peace of mind, we’re here to help you protect what matters most.

Ready to take the next step? Book a consultation with our team: https://donshawlaw.com/book-a-call/

09/30/2026

October is National Estate Planning Awareness Month! 🎉

It’s the perfect time to make sure your wishes are clear, your loved ones are protected, and your hard work is prepared for the future.

Whether you’re planning for your family, caring for aging parents, or building a business, an up-to-date estate plan can provide clarity and peace of mind. That may include a will, trust, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, business succession planning, and more: depending on your goals and where you live.

National Estate Planning Awareness Week is October 19–25, 2026. Let’s use the month to get ready together!

We’re here to help families and business owners take the next step. Book a consultation with our team: https://donshawlaw.com/book-a-call/

09/28/2026

“I don’t have enough assets for an estate plan.” We hear this often: but estate planning is about much more than money. 😊

A thoughtful plan can help you:

• Protect the people you love
• Choose who should care for your children
• Make healthcare decisions easier if you cannot speak for yourself
• Organize digital assets and important accounts
• Reduce confusion and unnecessary court involvement
• Give your family clear instructions during a difficult time

Your home, belongings, family photos, online accounts, and personal wishes all matter. Estate planning is not only for the wealthy: it is for anyone who wants to make things easier for the people they love.

We help families create practical plans tailored to their lives and their jurisdiction in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

Ready to take the first step? Schedule a conversation with our team: https://donshawlaw.com/book-a-call/

Address

4008 Genesee Place, Suite 109
Woodbridge, VA
22192

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 7pm
Tuesday	8am - 7pm
Wednesday	8am - 7pm
Thursday	8am - 7pm
Friday	8am - 7pm
Saturday	8am - 2pm

Telephone

+15715548200

Website

https://www.donshawlaw.com/

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