Wills

Will Attorney in Fredericksburg

Virginia Will Planning Rooted in Family Law Since 1993

A valid will is one of the most direct ways to protect the people you care about. At Strentz Family Law Group, we’ve been guiding families through significant legal transitions since 1993, and will planning fits naturally into that work. As a woman-owned firm located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, minutes from the family courts and Routes 1 and 95, we serve clients throughout Spotsylvania and Stafford counties.

Our approach starts with listening. We take the time to understand your situation before helping you make decisions that reflect your actual priorities. That combination of legal knowledge and genuine care gives clients the clarity they need to move forward with confidence.

Ready to get your will in place? Call our team at (540) 274-0162 to schedule a consultation.

What Sets Us Apart

Personalized Legal Guidance
We provide tailored legal strategies and thoughtful support designed around your unique needs, goals, and future.
Dedicated Client Relationships
We build trusted relationships through attentive service, clear communication, and a commitment to every client.
Compassionate Trusted Counsel
We offer experienced guidance with care and understanding during life’s most important transitions and decisions.
Protecting Your Future
We help safeguard your family, assets, and legacy with personalized solutions built for your tomorrow.

Wills & Family Transitions in Virginia

Life changes are often what prompt people to create or revisit a will. Divorce, remarriage, and shifts in custody arrangements are among the most common reasons. Because Strentz Family Law Group already handles divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, separation agreements, and modifications and enforcement, we understand where will planning intersects with those transitions.

One intersection matters under Virginia law specifically. Under Code of Virginia Section 64.2-412, finalizing a divorce automatically revokes any provision in a will that benefits a former spouse, unless the will states otherwise. That rule catches people off guard when they don’t update their documents after a divorce. Remarriage raises its own questions: a new spouse, stepchildren, or a blended family may not be reflected in an older will at all.

A will can also name a guardian for your minor children under Virginia law, which is often the most personal decision in the entire document. When custody arrangements change, who you’ve named and what you’ve written may no longer match your wishes.

Virginia Requirements for a Valid Will

Under Code of Virginia Section 64.2-401, the person making the will (called the testator) must be at least 18 years old, or an emancipated minor, and of sound mind. Under Section 64.2-403, the testator must sign the will, or have someone else sign it in their presence and at their direction.

Two witnesses present at the same time must also witness the signing. Adding a self-proving affidavit, permitted under Code of Virginia Section 64.2-452, allows the will to be admitted to probate without requiring those witnesses to appear in court later, which can simplify the process.

Virginia also recognizes holographic wills under Section 64.2-403(B). A holographic will is entirely handwritten and signed by the testator and doesn’t need to be witnessed at the time of signing. Virginia law does require, however, that at least two disinterested witnesses later confirm that the handwriting and signature are the testator’s own before the document can be admitted to probate.

Dying Without a Will in Virginia

When someone dies without a valid will, their estate passes under Virginia’s intestate succession statute, Code of Virginia Section 64.2-200. That statute distributes assets to a surviving spouse and children according to a fixed formula, regardless of what the person may have wanted. Virginia doesn’t impose a state estate tax. That tax was repealed effective July 1, 2007.

Probate Courts for Fredericksburg-Area Residents

A will is generally probated in the Circuit Court Clerk’s office of the city or county where the person lived at the time of death. For residents of the Fredericksburg area, the relevant offices are:

City of Fredericksburg residents: The Fredericksburg Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.
Spotsylvania County residents: The Spotsylvania County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, including those in the Spotsylvania Courthouse area.
Stafford County residents: The Stafford County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.
King George County residents: The King George County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.

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Our Satisfied Clients

At Strentz Family Law Group, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

"She took the time to listen to and understand the unique details and nuances of my complicated case and developed a successful strategy to best represent me throughout the entire process."

Stacey Strentz is a shining example of a professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate divorce attorney. She took the time ...

M C.
"She took over my extremely complicated divorce and custody case that had dragged on for 7 years and obtained an extremely favorable outcome for my children and"

I can not say enough good things about Stacey Strentz and the team at Strentz Family Law Group. She took over my extremely ...

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Accessible Will Planning Near Fredericksburg

Cost and scheduling are real concerns when it comes to getting legal help. We offer payment plans to make representation more manageable, and virtual consultations so you can connect with our team without coming into the office. Whether you’re starting from scratch or need to update documents after a divorce or remarriage, we can work with your schedule and circumstances.

Speak With a Will Lawyer at Strentz Family Law Group

If you’re ready to create or update a will, or if a recent life change has you reconsidering your existing documents, contact Strentz Family Law Group to discuss your situation. Call us at (540) 274-0162 to get started.