Estate Planning and Estate Administration Attorney in Arlington, Virginia
Wills, trusts and estates for families in Northern Virginia and D.C., handled by an attorney who practices nothing else.
Practice
Wills, trusts and estates since 2009
Admitted
Virginia and D.C.
Previously
Partner at an Am Law 200 firm
Clients
Rated 5.0 on Google
Planning ahead, or settling an estate
Most people come to Gillis Law at one of two moments.
Not sure which applies to you?
For you and your family
You want a will or trust, or your current documents are out of date. We design a plan around the people you want to protect and make sure your accounts and property match it.
For executors and trustees
You have been named executor or trustee and need to know what comes next. We plan the administration with you and handle the court filings, deadlines and tax returns.
Practice areas
Each one is handled by James himself, from the first meeting to the last filing.
Estate Planning
A plan for the next stage of your family
You tell us who you want to protect and what you want for them. We turn that into documents written under Virginia law, explain each one in plain English, and check that your accounts and property match the plan.
Estate and Trust Administration
You have been named executor. Now what?
Gillis Law guides executors, administrators and trustees through each step, from qualifying at the courthouse to closing the estate. We tell you what is due and when, handle the filings, and keep the family informed.
Gift, Estate, and GST Taxes
Who should plan for estate tax
James handles both sides of the work. While you are living, we plan gifts and trusts that make full use of the exemption. After a death, we prepare the federal estate tax return and guide the executor through the tax decisions.
How working with Gillis Law goes
You work with James Gillis directly, from the first meeting to the last signature.
01
Meet and talk it through
We start with the people in your life and what you want for them, and answer your questions.
02
Review your drafts
James drafts your documents and walks you through them, so you know what each one does before anything is final.
03
Sign and finish the follow-up
You sign with witnesses and a notary, and we give you a short list to update titles and beneficiary designations so the plan works as written.
James A. Gillis
Founder · Gillis Law
When you call Gillis Law, you work with James Gillis directly. He meets with you and drafts your documents. He explains them in plain English and sees the plan through to the signing and the deeds. When a family member dies, he guides the executor or trustee from the first weeks to the final accounting.
Admissions
- Virginia
- District of Columbia
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
- B.S. in biology, Villanova University
What clients say
Each review reflects one client’s experience.
As a practicing attorney, it is rare for me to engage another lawyer for legal services. My wife and I recently had the privilege of engaging James to handle estate planning documentation.
Client review on Google
James Gillis is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and organized. He successfully walked me through the probate process for Loudoun county.
James is an exceptional attorney who listens and explains options in a clear and concise manner.
For CPAs, financial advisors and referring attorneys
With your client’s permission, James shares drafts and the follow-up list with you and agrees on who prepares which return. If you have a client who needs a will, a trust or help with an estate, James is glad to talk.
Talk with Gillis Law
Whether you are planning ahead or handling an estate, the first step is a conversation.
Office
3101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22201
Hours
Monday to Friday, 9 to 5
Getting here
Across from the Clarendon Metro station.
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