Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Estate Planning Attorney in Arlington, VA
As an attorney with over 50 years of experience, I have dedicated my practice to helping individuals and families navigate complex legal matters related to estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate. Since establishing my law practice in Arlington, Virginia in 1972, I have focused on providing personalized legal counsel tailored to each client's unique circumstances. My expertise extends to wealth preservation, family planning for trusts and estates, and real estate law, with a commitment to protecting family relationships and assets across generations. Admitted to multiple federal and state courts, I combine deep legal knowledge with practical experience to guide clients through estate administration and tax planning.Active in professional organizations like the Virginia State Bar's Trust and Estates Section, I maintain rigorous standards of professionalism while serving Northern Virginia communities. My practice emphasizes clear communication, ethical representation, and creating customized solutions that reflect clients' wishes regarding asset distribution, guardianship, and financial supervision for minors. Through decades of service, I have developed a reputation for reliability and expertise in both public and private legal matters.
Services
Wills
Trusts
Estate Planning
Probate
Wealth Preservation
Real Estate Law
Guardianship Planning
Tax Planning
Asset Distribution
Trust Administration
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- We offer over 50 years of specialized experience in estate planning and probate law
- Our practice focuses exclusively on wills, trusts, and family asset protection
- We provide personalized legal solutions tailored to individual family needs
- Our attorney maintains active membership in trust and estate professional organizations
- We combine courtroom experience with compassionate, client-centered representation
Services
Wills
Creating legally binding wills to ensure proper asset distribution and family planning. Our wills include executor appointments, testamentary guardianship for minors, and trust provisions for financial supervision. We help clients establish clear directives for their estate while addressing tax implications and family needs.
Trusts
Establishing revocable living trusts for private asset management and multi-generational wealth preservation. Our trust services include trustee appointments, conditional asset distributions, and court-supervised options. We help clients maintain privacy while ensuring proper financial oversight for beneficiaries.
Estate Planning
Comprehensive estate planning covering wills, trusts, and tax strategies. We develop customized plans for asset protection, family succession, and wealth transfer across generations. Our approach addresses both immediate needs and long-term family financial security through coordinated legal instruments.
Probate
Guiding executors through probate processes for will validation and estate settlement. We assist with asset distribution, debt resolution, and legal compliance while representing clients in court proceedings. Our services ensure proper execution of testamentary wishes according to Virginia law.
Real Estate Law
Handling real estate transactions and property law matters. Our services include title transfers, property disputes, and development agreements. We provide legal counsel for residential and commercial property matters with attention to estate planning implications.
People
Knight Richard E
Attorney at Law
Practicing Virginia attorney since 1972 with focus on estate planning, trusts, and probate. Graduated from William and Mary Law School, admitted to multiple federal courts, and active in trust and estate professional organizations.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I need?
Essential documents include a will, revocable living trust, and appropriate guardianship designations. We help determine which instruments best meet your specific family and financial situation.
How does a revocable living trust work?
This private document manages assets during your lifetime and distributes them after death without probate, allowing for controlled distributions to beneficiaries over time with appointed trustees.
Why choose a local attorney for estate planning?
Local expertise ensures compliance with Virginia-specific laws while providing personalized service that understands regional estate planning considerations and community needs.
How can I protect minor children's inheritance?
Through testamentary trusts that specify financial management arrangements until children reach maturity, with court-supervised options available for additional oversight and accountability.
What happens if I die without a will?
Virginia's intestacy laws will determine asset distribution, which may not align with your wishes. Creating a will ensures your specific preferences for family and asset distribution are legally protected.
