Creating a Trust in Virginia
Create a revocable or irrevocable trust with clear guidance, flat-fee pricing, and a compassionate legal team. Serving Henrico, Richmond, and the surrounding Virginia communities.
Peace of Mind for an
Uncertain Future
Many families don’t realize they need a trust until it’s too late, often after experiencing the delays and expense of probate firsthand. Without a properly structured trust, your estate could face court involvement, added costs, and unnecessary stress for your loved ones. At Golightly Law, we create clear, customized trust plans that help you avoid probate, protect your family, and move forward with confidence. With 25+ years of experience and an AV Preeminent® rating, Golightly Law provides clear, flat-fee trust planning built around your life, not a template.
What’s Included in a Trust Plan
- Revocable Living Trust or Irrevocable Trust Tailored to Your Needs
- Pour-Over Will
- Financial Power of Attorney
- Advance Medical Directive
- Trust Funding Guidance
- Flat-Fee Pricing Structure. No Surprise Bills.
- Ongoing Support for Updates and Amendments
How This Benefits You
Avoid Probate: Assets titled in your trust can pass to your beneficiaries without court involvement and avoid probate tax
Maintain Control: You decide how and when your assets are distributed.
Plan for Incapacity: A successor trustee can step in seamlessly if you become unable to manage your affairs.
Protect Loved Ones: Properly structured trusts can be ideal for blended families, minor children, special needs beneficiaries, and complex assets.
Reduce Stress for Your Family: Clear instructions prevent confusion, delays, and unnecessary legal expenses.
Why Families Choose Golightly Law
25+ Years of Trusted Experience – Attorney Scott Golightly brings more than two decades of estate planning experience to every client relationship.
AV Preeminent® Rated – Recognized with the highest peer rating for legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical excellence.
150+ Five-Star Reviews – Clients consistently describe our process as professional, responsive, smooth, organized, and stress-free.
Clear, Jargon-Free Guidance – We explain complex legal concepts in plain English so you can make confident decisions.
Personalized, Family-Focused Planning – Every trust is customized, with no templates and no shortcuts.
Peace of Mind – Clients leave feeling secure, prepared, and confident about the future.
Our Process: Simple. Organized. Step-by-Step.
Step 1: Schedule Your Free Consultation
We take time to understand your family, assets, and goals, and determine the right trust structure for your situation.
Step 2: Strategic Design & Drafting
We prepare customized draft documents and walk you through them in clear, understandable language.
Step 3: Review & Refine
You review your drafts in advance. We answer every question and make adjustments before signing.
Step 4: Proper Execution
We guide you through signing so your documents are properly executed in accordance with Virginia law.
Step 5: Trust Funding Guidance
We provide detailed instructions to ensure your trust is properly funded because an unfunded trust won’t avoid probate.
What Our Clients Say
The Golightly Law Firm team did an excellent job with navigating us through the drafting process. Their system is efficient and effective and we’re happy to have utilized their services.
- Lee Parker
Fantastic firm that took the time to slow down, answer all of our questions, and ensure we felt supported every step of the way. They made what could be a stressful and tedious process enjoyable.
- Chelsea Macias
Excellent communication and explanations of the process of a Trust vs. Will. Also, great recommendations for future considerations as you experience life changes/milestones. I would highly recommend The Golightly Law Firm for estate planning
- Linda Hines
I could not recommend Golighty Law more highly. My wife and I had older wills and related documents, and needed a full-service, thoughtful law firm to guide us through the design and standup of our new estate plan. Golightly, with Joe leading and a very strong supporting cast – including Ashlyn and Johanna, was exactly the right match. While they were very organized, professional, and meticulous, it was their proactive, deep engagement into that my wife and I wanted to occur as we aged that really set them apart as leaders! We learned a lot and, with Golightly’s assistance, made a number of critical decisions to design our new state plan. Execution of the documents was also very thorough and straight forward. My wife and I are now implementing a few steps on our end…with Joe and his team eager and ready to assist as needed. Wow! I have been a professional for all my career, and I was very impressed. I’m a demanding customer, and I’d give 6 stars if I could. Call these folks!!
- Tim Iseminger
Joe Manriquez and his entire team were top notch with working through our estate planning process. They truly took their own time to think about what we wanted and created a plan that made us feel comfortable. They were patient and we never felt rushed.
- Lauren Powell
We were referred to the Golightly Law Firm through a friend and we were so pleased throughout our entire process. We live in NOVA but chose to work with Schott and his team in Richmond because they were so friendly, accommodating, and most importantly, educated us on the entire process without being patronizing. I have already sent my friends to Scott and I know that they were also very happy with their experience.
- Miya RoweFrequently Asked Questions
A revocable living trust allows you to maintain control of your assets during your lifetime and make changes as your circumstances evolve. An irrevocable trust generally cannot be changed once established and may offer additional asset protection or tax advantages. During your consultation, we help determine which option aligns with your goals.
Yes, when properly funded, a trust allows assets titled in the name of the trust to pass to beneficiaries without going through the Virginia probate process. This can reduce delays, court involvement, and administrative costs for your loved ones.
Yes. A trust-based plan typically includes a pour-over will, which ensures that any assets not titled in your trust are directed to your trust upon your passing.
Golightly Law uses a flat-fee pricing structure, so you will know the cost upfront before moving forward. The total investment depends on the complexity of your estate and the type of trust created. We review all pricing transparently during your free consultation.
Most trust plans can be designed, reviewed, and executed within a few weeks, depending on scheduling and the complexity of your assets. We prioritize efficiency while ensuring everything is carefully prepared.
We assist clients with revocable and irrevocable living trusts, as well as specialized planning needs, such as special needs trusts and certain asset-specific planning strategies. If you have unique circumstances, we will discuss your options during your consultation.
Ready to Create Your Trust?
You don’t have to navigate this process alone. Whether you’re looking to avoid probate, protect your family, or create a clear plan for the future, Golightly Law is here to guide you every step of the way.
Schedule your free consultation today and get clear answers about your options, transparent pricing, and a customized strategy designed around your life and goals.
Call (804) 658-3873
Serving Henrico, Richmond, and surrounding Virginia communities
Message us below to book your Free Consultation