Essentials of Drafting Wills in Virginia (Online Seminar)

A pre-recorded streaming video replay from the April 2018 webcast, Essentials of Drafting Wills in Virginia.

No matter the level of wealth, every adult citizen in Virginia needs a will to control the disposition of property at death, and to select the person designated to execute his or her wishes. Some surveys show that over 70% of adults have no will or other estate planning documents. Intestacy is not the solution!

This seminar will cover important issues in drafting wills and testamentary documents. It will review some of the common wills available, including simple wills, pour-over wills, and wills containing testamentary trusts. Whether guiding attorneys new to this area or serving as a refresher on these basic issues for experienced estate planning attorneys, this program will help attendees to better advise their clients as to the orderly disposition of property at death.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

John T. Midgett, Midgett Preti Olansen PC / Virginia Beach

John Midgett’s practice is concentrated in the related areas of estate planning, administration, and taxation, estate and fiduciary litigation, and family business planning. He has previously spoken and written on various topics relating to estate planning, taxation, probate, elder law, and family businesses. In addition to his busy practice and speaking schedule, Mr. Midgett is actively involved in the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council (President, 2010–2011), and the Duke University Estate Planning Council.  He has served a Chair of the Trusts and Estates Section of the Virginia State Bar.  He has also served as Chair of the Trusts and Estates Section of The Virginia Bar Association and is on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. He is an AV-rated attorney as well and is included in the 2006-2017 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America®. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and has been designated as an Accredited Estate Planner® by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils.

Alison R. Zizzo, Midgett Preti Olansen PC / Virginia Beach

Alison Zizzo is a Shareholder at Midgett Preti Olansen and concentrates her practice in trust and estate litigation, including fiduciary disputes, beneficiary representation, guardian and conservatorships, and elder law. She has extensive civil litigation experience and can handle a variety of general litigation matters, including business disputes, collection and defense of debts and contract disputes. In addition, Ms. Zizzo handles complex trust and estate administration matters, assisting families with trust and estate administration issues, as well as litigation that may arise during the course of administration.

In 2014 and 2015, Ms. Zizzo was selected by her peers to be included in Virginia Business magazine’s Legal Elite in the category of Young Lawyer and in the category of Taxes/Estate/Trusts/Elder Law in 2015. In 2014, Virginia Super Lawyers magazine selected her as a Rising Star in the category of Estate and Trust Litigation. She was recognized in 2017 in Virginia Business magazine’s Legal Elite in the category of Taxes/Estate/Trust and Elder Law.

Ms. Zizzo earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Christopher Newport University, where she was awarded the Martha Woodword Scholarship for Excellence in History. She received her law degree from Regent University School of Law where she earned Top Honors recognition in courses on Legal Research and Writing, Trial Practice, and Wills, Trusts and Estates. Ms. Zizzo has an AV Preeminent^® rating from Martindale Hubbell.