Business Details
21 Years
experience
Trusted Estate Planning & Trust Lawyers in Richmond, VA
Founded in 2005, Armstrong Bristow Farley & Schwarzschild combines sophisticated legal expertise with personalized service to meet clients' estate planning needs. Our attorneys bring decades of experience from large law firms, delivering tax-efficient solutions while maintaining the attentive care of a boutique practice. We specialize in crafting comprehensive estate plans that address asset disposition, creditor protection, and intergenerational wealth transfer. Our team excels in trust and estate administration, serving as fiduciaries and advising executors to ensure client wishes are executed precisely. With a focus on minimizing tax burdens and resolving disputes, we provide end-to-end guidance for individuals and families navigating complex estate matters.Our non-attorney professionals, with over 15 years of collective experience, further strengthen our ability to deliver seamless administrative support. We prioritize clear communication and tailored strategies, ensuring clients understand every aspect of their plans. From business succession to charitable giving, our practice adapts to evolving client needs and legal landscapes. This commitment to excellence has established us as trusted advisors in estate planning and administration.
Services
Estate Planning
Wills & Trusts
Business Succession Planning
Charitable Giving
Trust Administration
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- Our attorneys have decades of experience in estate planning and administration.
- We combine large-firm expertise with personalized attention as a boutique practice.
- Specialized in tax-efficient strategies for asset preservation and transfer.
- Offer fiduciary services with experienced professionals managing estates and trusts.
- Team includes non-attorney specialists with 15+ years in estate administration.
Services
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes while minimizing tax liabilities. Our attorneys address wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations to protect your legacy. Clients benefit from strategies that balance family needs with evolving tax regulations.
Trust Administration
Our team manages trust administration with precision, handling asset distribution, tax compliance, and investment coordination. We serve as independent trustees or advise fiduciaries on legal obligations. Clients receive proactive guidance to navigate complex administrative responsibilities efficiently.
Business Succession Planning
We develop succession strategies for business owners to ensure smooth leadership transitions and tax-efficient wealth transfer. Services include buy-sell agreements, liquidity planning, and entity restructuring. Clients gain peace of mind knowing their business legacy is protected.
Charitable Giving
Our firm structures charitable contributions to maximize tax benefits while aligning with clients' philanthropic goals. We establish donor-advised funds, private foundations, and charitable trusts. Clients receive strategic advice to optimize their charitable impact.
Disability Planning
We create advance directives and special needs trusts to manage affairs during disability. Our plans protect assets and outline medical care preferences. Clients gain security through legally sound frameworks for themselves and loved ones.
People
Maureen C. Ackerly
Partner
Partner specializing in estate planning and tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies. Advises clients on trust administration and fiduciary responsibilities.
Michael Armstrong
Partner
Co-founder with expertise in complex estate planning and business succession. Guides clients through tax compliance and asset protection.
John D. Bristow
Partner
Focuses on trust administration and dispute resolution. Provides fiduciary guidance for executors and trustees.
Jane Schwarzschild
Partner
Specializes in charitable giving structures and estate tax planning. Develops strategies for private foundations and donor-advised funds.
Brandy J.F. Burnett
Of Counsel
Offers counsel on estate administration and probate proceedings. Assists with tax compliance and fiduciary duties.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I need?
Essential documents include wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives tailored to your specific needs.
How can I minimize estate taxes?
We employ strategies like annual exclusion gifts, irrevocable trusts, and charitable contributions to reduce tax liabilities.
What happens if I become incapacitated?
Our disability planning ensures advance directives and special needs trusts are in place to manage your affairs and healthcare decisions.
Do I need a trust if I have a will?
Trusts offer probate avoidance and specific asset management benefits that wills alone cannot provide, depending on your situation.
How does business succession planning work?
We create buy-sell agreements, liquidity plans, and leadership transition strategies to protect your business's future.
Can I modify an existing estate plan?
Yes, we review and update plans to reflect life changes, tax law revisions, or evolving family circumstances.
