RELATIONAL LAW

About Us

A team of attorneys and specialists serving families across Winchester, Northern Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley.

Relational Estate & Elder Law team

WHO WE ARE

At Relational Estate & Elder Law, estate planning is about people, your people.

We help individuals, couples, and families across Winchester, Northern Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley plan for aging and the future with confidence and peace of mind. Our work covers estate planning, elder law, and estate administration, and we approach all of it by getting to know you first: your relationships, your values, and the legacy you want to leave.

MEET THE TEAM

The people behind your plan.

Our team is made up of attorneys, paralegals, and support professionals who bring both expertise and genuine care to every client relationship. Here’s who you’ll get to know.

Joshua E. Hummer, Esq.

Founder & Attorney

Joshua E. Hummer, Esq.

Josh is founder and attorney here at Relational Estate & Elder Law. He is licensed in both Virginia and West Virginia, and his passion is to go beyond drafting legal documents to helping clients envision their futures. Josh knows that high-quality legal documents give his clients confidence about what lies ahead, and he wants as many people as possible to experience that peace of mind. He leads our team and his clients with competence, warmth, and a deep commitment to making estate planning feel possible, no matter where you’re starting from.

B. Scott Livengood, Esq.

Estate Planning Team Lead & Attorney

B. Scott Livengood, Esq.

Scott believes that a well-crafted estate plan is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give the people you love, and he brings that conviction to every client he serves. As an attorney on our Estate Planning team, he helps clients create plans that reflect their values and secure their family’s future. He’s committed to making the experience helpful and informative at every step. When Scott isn’t focused on his professional life, he’s happiest spending time with his family. His other passions include golfing, watching sports and movies, and attending live rock concerts.

Heather C. Martin, Esq.

Estate Planning Attorney

Heather C. Martin, Esq.

Heather is an Estate Planning attorney at Relational Estate & Elder Law. She is energized by meeting new people and loves to problem-solve. Her favorite moments include visibly seeing a client’s worry lift from their shoulders as their Estate Plan takes shape and opportunities to gush over a client’s pet photos. She is a jack-of-all-trades and has yet to meet a challenge she won’t face head-on. If she’s not in the middle of a project, she’s either somewhere outside, working with one of her animals, or some combination of the two.

Paula Tennant, CPA

Estate Administration Team Lead

Paula Tennant, CPA

Paula is our estate administration team lead, and she works with clients who are navigating the complicated world of grief after losing a loved one. Paula guides executors through the probate process and trustees through the trust administration steps. She is also a skilled accountant who is a huge asset to our firm when it comes to tax planning. Paula is brilliant but down-to-earth, accomplished and still approachable, and direct while also being one of the most caring people you’ll ever meet. Her rare combination of technical skill and genuine compassion means clients navigating loss are never left to figure it out alone.

Dreama Maloney

Director of Operations

Dreama Maloney

Dreama is our director of operations here at Relational Estate & Elder Law. She is also a paralegal and notary who assists with estate and elder law planning matters. She works with clients to get their documents officially signed and ensures that each part of our process meets the Virginia or West Virginia legal standard of excellence. Dreama is an incredibly hard worker, a caring and supportive manager, and an expert at improving how our team works. Clients and colleagues alike know that if Dreama is involved, nothing falls through the cracks.

Lauren Paige Sorsen

Director of Culture

Lauren Paige Sorsen

Lauren Paige is our director of culture. She has used her strong teaching skills to build a systemized approach to training new hires, getting people up and running in their roles as quickly as possible. Because she’s so organized and detail-oriented, she’s also the brains behind the events we plan, thinking of the small things that are easy to miss. The care she puts into our team and our culture is felt by every client who walks through our doors.

Samantha Vandeberg

Intake Team Lead

Samantha Vandeberg

Samantha is our intake team lead. She holds introductory calls with new clients to talk about their assets and relationships, gather information about their estate planning needs, and schedule their consultation with our attorneys. Samantha is one of the most compassionate and resourceful people we know! You will appreciate her authenticity, empathy, and joy as she asks you personalized questions so our team can offer you the individual legal services you need.

Meryl Shoneman

Senior Estate Planning Paralegal

Meryl Shoneman

Meryl is our senior estate planning paralegal. With a background in the legal field, she brings considerable experience to the firm. She is responsible for drafting and revising estate planning documents and works closely with the attorneys and clients to achieve each client’s specific needs and goals. When documents are ready to be signed, Meryl acts as a witness for the execution. Her empathy and attention to detail mean your documents reflect your wishes and are crafted with care.

Lindsey Justice

Estate Administration Specialist

Lindsey Justice

Lindsey is our Estate Administration Specialist. She and Paula work closely together to assist families through the many details involved in the estate administration process, helping provide clarity, organization, and compassionate support during a difficult time. Before joining Relational Estate & Elder Law, Lindsey worked as a teacher, an experience that shaped her patient, empathetic approach and the ability to explain complex processes clearly. She is known for her positive attitude and caring presence. Outside of work, Lindsey enjoys exploring new restaurants, antiquing, reading, crocheting, and spending time with friends.

Annamarie Robinson

Marketing Specialist

Annamarie Robinson

Annamarie is the marketing specialist at the firm, leading efforts in online advertising, SEO, and social media. She manages relationships with professional referrers and coordinates outreach strategies. Annamarie also plans and organizes client and community events. Her work ensures that people who need estate planning can find us and feel welcomed when they do. Annamarie enjoys collecting indoor plants and spending time in her vegetable garden, where she finds joy in nurturing growth. In her free time, she loves roller skating and spending time with family.

Caroline's headshot

Paralegal

Caroline Mercer

Caroline is one of our paralegals on the Estate Planning Team. She helps draft and revise EP documents, Deeds, and works with our attorneys to achieve the goals of our clients with a joyful and ready heart! She, along with the rest of our team, takes the information gathered in the consult and transforms it into a Relational Estate Plan that brings peace of mind to clients, family members, and professional advisors. Caroline enjoys time spent with her husband and their dog, cat, and horse. In her downtime, she is an avid Pilates goer and reader!

Teresa's headshot

Paralegal

Teresa Loughery

Teresa is a paralegal on our Estate Planning Team. She helps draft documents for our clients’ estate plans and does everything she can to ensure all their wishes are met so that they can feel confident and at peace with their plan. Teresa’s favorite part of her job is knowing that the work she does is at least a small part of helping people deal with some of the most challenging times of their lives. When Teresa isn’t at work, she loves to read, create art, and spend time with her friends and family.

Olivia Cornett

Winchester Receptionist & Intake Assistant

Olivia Cornett

Olivia is the receptionist and intake assistant at our Winchester office. She welcomes clients with a cheerful, calming presence and keeps our office comfortable and inviting. She answers calls, manages scheduling, handles mail and errands, and supports our team wherever needed. Known for her proactive, kind service, Olivia is always ready to help with any question or concern. Outside of work, she enjoys creating art, going to concerts, and spending time with her two tuxedo cats, Granger and Bonnie.

Headshot of Stefania

Ashburn Receptionist & Administrative Assistant

Stefania Essien

Stefania is the Administrative Assistant and Ashburn Receptionist. She is the first person clients see when they visit the Ashburn location and always strives to create a friendly and welcoming experience from the moment they arrive. She assists with scheduling, client communication, proofreading, and document collection, while also managing the day-to-day operations of the Ashburn office. Known for her proactive approach and attention to detail, Stefania is always ready to lend a hand and takes pride in ensuring every task is completed with care and accuracy. Outside of work, Stefania enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with her loved ones. If there‘s a waterfall at the end of a hike, you can bet Stefania is there!

Harry's headshot

Marketing Assistant & Paralegal

Harry Ybanez

Harry is the marketing assistant and a paralegal at the firm. He helps manage social media content, Google reviews, professional referrer outreach, and event promotion. Harry also assists with estate planning follow-ups, client communications, and administrative tasks. His work helps ensure a smooth and supportive experience for clients and referral partners alike. Harry enjoys spending his free time watching movies and series on streaming platforms. He values sharing weekend meals with his mom, brother, nieces, and nephews, as well as catching up with friends. Sundays are often spent at church, making faith and family the center of his week.

Bernie's headshot

Receptionist & Legal Assistant

Bernie Snyder

Bernie Snyder is the remote receptionist and legal assistant. With a background in pastoral counseling and caregiving for her parents, Bernie brings experience, compassion, and warmth to every conversation. She is often the first voice to greet new clients and provides both information and a listening ear. When Bernie is not on the phones, she is helping the team proofread documents and manages electronic communications. Bernie appreciates spending time exploring the world with her camera lens, cooking for loved ones, quilting, and relaxing with her furbabies, Dandy and Carmen.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay connected. Stay prepared.

Each month we share upcoming webinars on estate planning and elder law topics, new educational videos to help you understand your options, and fresh blog posts with practical, relational guidance — delivered with care. No pressure, ever.

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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.

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.

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.

Winchester540-931-7078

Let’s Start A Conversation

HOW WE HELP

A Complete Estate Plan

  • Wills, trusts & powers of attorney
  • Elder law & long-term care planning
  • Probate & estate administration