PRACTICE AREAS
Elder Law Attorneys in Northern Virginia & the Shenandoah Valley
Planning ahead for your aging years so you stay in control of what matters most.
At Relational Estate & Elder Law, we help aging adults and their families across Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley prepare for the future proactively. Long-term care planning, powers of attorney, and guardianship guidance — all built under Virginia and West Virginia law, crafted with the care your family deserves.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Long-term care planning, the relational way.
Long-term care planning is the process of preparing, in advance, for the decisions and challenges that often come with aging. It’s not just about what happens when you pass away — it’s about making sure that as you age, you remain in control of your own life, your own care, and your own legacy.
At Relational Estate & Elder Law, we help you think through aging as a whole. We ask the questions other firms don’t always ask:
Who do you trust to make decisions for you?
The right people, named in advance.
What kind of care matters most to you?
A plan for long-term care before a health event forces the question.
Have you talked with your family about your wishes?
Proactive planning is one of the most generous things you can do — for yourself and for your family.
Aging well takes more than a Will and a power of attorney. It takes a plan that reflects your life, your values, and the people you love.
OUR SERVICES
The right legal tools, built around your life.
Planning ahead for your aging years does more than protect your assets — it protects your voice. It ensures that the people you trust are empowered to make decisions on your behalf. It relieves your family from having to guess what you would have wanted. And it gives you the freedom to enjoy your life, knowing that what comes next is already taken care of.
Long-Term Care Planning
Planning for the possibility of needing care — at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing home — is one of the most important and most overlooked parts of aging well. We help you understand your options and protect what you've worked for, so you're never caught off guard.
Financial Powers of Attorney
Authorize a trusted person to manage your financial affairs if you're ever unable to — without the need for a court-supervised guardianship. Governed by Virginia's Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Va. Code § 64.2-1600 et seq.), a durable financial power of attorney is one of the most practical and important documents any aging adult can have in place.
Advance Medical Directives
Document your healthcare wishes now, so that if you're ever unable to speak for yourself, your medical team and your loved ones know exactly what you want — including decisions about life-sustaining treatment, pain management, and who speaks on your behalf. Created under the Virginia Health Care Decisions Act (Va. Code § 54.1-2981 et seq.).
A Connected Community of Professionals
Aging well often takes more than legal documents. We collaborate with a trusted network of financial advisors, care coordinators, and other professionals who can meet the full range of needs that come with aging — so you're never left navigating complex decisions alone.
Structured Family Communication Plans
One of the most meaningful things you can do for your family is to communicate your wishes clearly while you're still able to. We help you create plans for how to talk with your loved ones, agents, and personal representatives, so that no one is left guessing.
Ongoing Plan Maintenance — The Guardian Program
A long-term care plan is only as good as its upkeep. Our Guardian Program keeps your estate planning documents current, your plan funded, and your team ready to help implement it whenever it's needed. Learn more about the Guardian Program →
THE BASICS
What is elder law?
Elder law is the area of legal practice focused on the decisions and challenges that often come with aging — long-term care and how to pay for it, protecting your assets and benefits, naming the people who can act for you, and making sure your wishes are honored if you can no longer speak for yourself. In Virginia, this work draws on Title 64.2 of the Code of Virginia (Wills, Trusts, and Fiduciaries), the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Va. Code § 64.2-1600 et seq.), and the Health Care Decisions Act (Va. Code § 54.1-2981 et seq.).
It’s not the same as estate planning, though the two overlap. Estate planning is largely about what happens after you pass away. Elder law is about staying in control while you age — so that when life becomes more complex, the right people, plans, and protections are already in place.
Life can change quickly. A health crisis, a cognitive decline, or a sudden loss of independence can shift everything — for you and for the people who love you. Long-term care planning helps you get ahead of those moments.
Proactive planning is one of the most generous things you can do — for yourself and for your family.
WHO ELDER LAW IS FOR
Is it time to start planning?
Long-term care planning is for anyone who wants to age with dignity, autonomy, and confidence. It’s especially worth a conversation if you:
Are approaching or in your retirement years
And want to make sure the right plans are in place before you need them.
Have a parent or spouse whose health is changing
Especially if their cognitive abilities are beginning to shift.
Are concerned about who will make decisions for you
If you're unable to decide for yourself.
Want to understand long-term care — and how to pay for it
Including insurance and asset protection.
Have aging parents without legal plans in place
And want to help them get ahead of a potential crisis.
It’s never too early to start — and it’s rarely too late. If you’re wondering whether now is the right time, we’d love to have that conversation with you.
OUR PROCESS
What working with us looks like.
Our process is designed to feel personal, not overwhelming. Here’s what to expect at each step.
We Listen and Learn
We start by getting to know you — your relationships, your health, your goals, and what aging well looks like for you, specifically. We ask thoughtful questions and give you space to ask yours, so we fully understand your situation before recommending anything.
We Recommend a Plan
Based on what we learn, we present a plan built around your goals. We explain each legal and non-legal tool we believe will help — powers of attorney, advance medical directives, and care — and how each one works. Then we adjust until you're comfortable, so you can make decisions with confidence.
We Craft Your Plan
Our team prepares thorough, carefully tailored documents that reflect your wishes. Every detail is reviewed with you before anything is finalized, and we make as many changes as you need.
We Walk You Through Implementation
After you've approved your documents, we schedule a time for you to come in and sign them — but signing is just the beginning. We help you organize and use your plan, and through our Guardian Program we remain available as your life and needs evolve.
MEET OUR ATTORNEY
The attorney you’ll work with.
One philosophy across our team: planning built around the people you love.
Joshua E. Hummer, Esq.
FOUNDER & ELDER LAW ATTORNEY · LICENSED IN VA & WV
Josh founded Relational Estate & Elder Law and leads the firm as both attorney and visionary. Licensed in Virginia and West Virginia, his passion is going beyond drafting documents to helping clients envision their futures — because high-quality legal work means real peace of mind for the families he serves.
Have questions? We’d love to help you find clarity.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Trusted recognition from clients and peers.
DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
Trusted by 380+ families across Virginia & West Virginia.
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.
FREE WEBINAR
Not sure where to start? We’ve created a free webinar for you.
Planning for your aging years can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re not sure what questions to ask. Our free webinar walks you through the essentials in plain language, so you know what to expect and where to begin.
This webinar covers:
A plain-language overview of long-term care and planning in Virginia
The key documents every aging adult should have in place
What to do when a parent's health begins to change
Common pitfalls — and how to avoid them
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions about elder law.
What is elder law?
Elder law is the area of legal practice focused on the needs of aging adults — long-term care planning, powers of attorney and advance directives, guardianship and conservatorship, special needs planning, and protecting assets and benefits as you age. In Virginia, it draws on Title 64.2 of the Code of Virginia. It overlaps with estate planning but focuses on staying in control while you age, not only on what happens after you pass away.
What does an elder law attorney do?
An elder law attorney helps you plan ahead for the legal, financial, and care decisions that come with aging. That includes drafting durable powers of attorney and advance medical directives, building long-term care strategies, guiding families through guardianship or conservatorship, and coordinating with financial and care professionals — so the right people and protections are in place before a crisis.
When should I hire an elder law attorney?
The best time is before you need care. Long-term care insurance planning early gives you far more options to protect what you’ve worked for. It’s also wise to talk with an elder law attorney when a parent or spouse’s health begins to change, or when you want to make sure someone you trust can act for you if you can’t.
How much does an elder law attorney cost in Virginia?
Cost depends on the documents and planning your situation calls for. We believe in clear, upfront pricing and will walk you through it before you commit to anything. You can review our approach to fees on our pricing page.
What’s the difference between guardianship and conservatorship in Virginia?
Under Va. Code § 64.2-2000 et seq., a guardian is appointed by a court to make personal and healthcare decisions for someone who can no longer make them, while a conservator manages that person’s finances and property. Both are court-supervised. Having a financial power of attorney and an advance medical directive in place ahead of time can often avoid the need for either.
LET’S TALK
Aging doesn’t have to feel uncertain. We’ll help you plan for it.
Whether you’re getting your own plans in place or helping an aging parent, we’re here to help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.
Start a Conversation
Elder Law & Aging Planning
- Long-Term Care Planning
- Powers of Attorney
- Advance Medical Directives
- Guardianship Guidance