Ashburn: (571) 582-0633
Winchester: (540) 302-5248

Estate Planning Attorneys in Northern Virginia & the Shenandoah Valley

ESTATE PLANNING BUILT AROUND THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE

We help families in Winchester, Northern Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley plan for the future with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. Wills, Trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and long-term care planning, crafted with care by attorneys who take the time to get to know you.

OUR APPROACH

We’re not just attorneys. We’re long-term planning partners.

The Relational Estate & Elder Law team

At Relational Estate & Elder Law, we believe that estate planning is really about people. We take the time to understand your life, your values, and your goals. Our team of attorneys, paralegals, and support professionals serves families across Winchester, Northern Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley with a simple conviction: the best estate plans are built on real relationships.

How It Works

You deserve a plan that’s as unique as your family.

Estate planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. We take the time to understand your relationships, your goals, and what matters most to you. Then we build a plan that reflects all of that.

01

Start with a conversation

A personalized consultation to understand your specific situation and goals.

02

Build a plan that reflects your wishes

Thorough, carefully crafted legal documents tailored to your family and to Virginia or West Virginia law.

03

Organize and protect what matters

Guidance on organizing and maintaining your plan after signing, so it works when your family needs it most.

04

Stay supported as life changes

An ongoing relationship, so you and your family have support as your life evolves.

A family planning their future together

WHY IT MATTERS

Planning ahead is one of the most loving things you can do.

A well-designed estate plan does more than protect your assets. It gives your family clarity.

  • Your family is protected

    Reduce uncertainty and provide guidance for the people you love most.

  • Your healthcare wishes are honored

    Make your medical preferences known before a crisis occurs.

  • Your assets go where you intend

    Protect what you've built and preserve your legacy.

  • You have a care strategy in place

    Plan proactively for aging and incapacity.

  • You have peace of mind

    Move forward knowing your family has a clear plan in place.

OUR PRACTICE AREAS

Practice Areas

No matter where you are in life, there’s a plan that’s right for you. Whether you’re starting a family, preparing for retirement, or navigating the loss of a loved one, here’s how we help.

Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning

ESTATE PLANNING

Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning

Protect your family with customized Virginia and West Virginia Wills, Trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. We help you build a plan that reflects your values and grows with your family.

Elder Law & Long-Term Care

ELDER LAW

Elder Law & Long-Term Care

Plan ahead for long-term care and incapacity with strategies that protect your autonomy and preserve your assets.

Probate & Estate Administration

PROBATE

Probate & Estate Administration

When a loved one passes, we help guide families through what comes next, with patience and care.

Ethical Wills

LEGACY

Ethical Wills

Pass on your values, beliefs, and life lessons — the inheritance your family will treasure most.

MEET OUR ATTORNEYS

Meet the experienced attorneys who will walk alongside you.

Attorney Name One

Joshua E. Hummer, Esq.

FOUNDING ATTORNEY

Josh founded Relational Estate & Elder Law and is licensed in Virginia and West Virginia. He leads our team with a vision: to go beyond legal documents and give clients real peace of mind.

Attorney Name Two

B. Scott Livengood, Esq.

Estate Planning Team Lead & Attorney

Scott believes a well-crafted estate plan is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give the people you love. He’s devoted to helping clients create plans that reflect their values and give their families confidence.

Attorney Name Three

Heather C. Martin, Esq.

Estate Planning Attorney

Heather thrives on connecting with people and tackling complex challenges. What she enjoys most is seeing the shift when a client moves from uncertainty to a clear, confident path forward.

DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

Why clients choose the relational approach

Families across Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley trust us with what matters most because we combine legal expertise with genuine care and long-term support.

★★★★★

Rated 5.0 from 381+ Google Reviews

Clear and Concise

“Josh provided clear and concise recommendations about estate documents that we required. He provided an updated will and power of attorney and medical directive at a reasonable price. Office staff was most friendly and helpful.”

— Chris

Outstanding Legal Services

“We hired Josh to write a will, advanced medical directive, and power of attorney for my wife and I. From the initial consultation until delivery of the final certified documents, Josh’s service was outstanding. He explained everything clearly, kept us informed throughout the process, and delivered a binder not only with the documents, but with complete explanations and instructions for the use of each one. I recommend him wholeheartedly.”

— Dave

Patient and Professional

“Josh and team are extremely professional and attentive with these complicated matters in Estate planning. I was impressed with their attention to detail and patience in helping my father in law who does not speak English well set up a Trust. At every step from the initial meeting to the final signing they explain everything in plain English. We finalized the trust and left confident knowing we have a good plan in place. I highly recommend.”

— Erwin G.

A Great Decision

“Thinking about setting up an estate plan can feel overwhelming. I interviewed three law firms and ultimately chose Relational Estate & Elder Law, and it was a great decision. Their team is professional, thorough, and patient. They walked me step by step through creating my plan, answered countless questions, and continued to be responsive even after the signing of documents. I felt genuinely well taken care of and confident in the direction I chose. Most importantly, I now have peace of mind knowing my family will be prepared if and when something happens to me. Highly recommend.”

— Kaye P.

By Far the Best

“Came here for family trust planning. Words can’t express how satisfied I am working with the whole team here. They walked through each step and taught us all that we needed to know. They turned this potentially complicated process into a smooth one. This is BY FAR the best law group I’ve worked with. Would highly recommend.”

— Jim M.

PROVEN RESULTS

Case Studies

Real solutions for real families. Explore how we’ve helped clients protect what matters most and plan for the future with confidence.

og: image a relational approach to estate planning

ESTATE PLANNING

The Couple Who Kept Putting It Off

Robert and Linda had been meaning to create their estate plan for years, but it felt overwhelming. A friend’s family conflict became their turning…

Medicaid Planning for Long-Term Care

CHARITABLE PLANNING

Racing Against the Clock

When James’s father was unexpectedly diagnosed with a serious condition, his estate hadn’t been updated in years — and time was running out…

og:image The Legal Side of Elder Law Planning

ELDER LAW

Helping Mom Plan for What Comes Next

Carol was always independent, but a health scare made it clear she needed a plan. Her daughter Susan didn’t know how to start the conversation…

og image: how to use a special needs trust

TRUST PLANNING

Building a Trust for Their Family’s Future

David and Michelle had interviewed other firms but none really listened. They came in with questions about Trusts — and left with confidence…

og:image New Tax Limits for 2025

ESTATE PLANNING

Finding a Firm They Could Finally Trust

After his wife passed, Tom needed to update his estate — but he was skeptical of attorneys. A neighbor’s recommendation changed…

YOUR FAMILY’S FUTURE

Let’s create a plan that gives your family clarity and peace of mind.

Whether you’re creating your first estate plan or updating an existing one, we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.

Start a Conversation

WHAT WE OFFER

A Complete Estate Plan

  • Wills & Revocable Trusts
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Healthcare Directives
  • Legacy & Asset Protection