Practice Areas

Linda S. Westenburger, Attorney at Law
801 Main Street, Suite 806
Lynchburg, Virginia 24504
Phone: (434) 846-4100
Fax: (434) 846-7104
Email: westenburger@intergate.com

• Estate Planning & Administration
• Business Organizations
• Real Estate Law
• No-Fault Divorce

Estate Planning & Administration

Estate planning involves management of your property during your life and deciding how you want to dispose of it after your death. Careful estate planning takes into account your real estate and personal property (including insurance), income, tax laws, family, and needs. It may involve the creation of a will, trusts, powers of attorney, and other legal documents. I have extensive experience in estate planning and trusts, and can advise you throughout the estate planning process. I can also prepare all necessary documents, and make sure they are executed according to law.

Probate (estate administration) is the legal process by which a person's debts are paid and assets are distributed upon his or her death. I handle all aspects of probate. I have earned the respect of my colleagues in this area, and am often called upon to handle a new probate proceeding or to assist the designated executor (the person named in the will to administer the estate).

My experience, including my background as a trust officer, makes me sensitive to various issues that routinely arise in the estate administration process. For example, if the decedent owned a business, there may be business succession issues – who will take over the business? If the heirs to the estate are minor children, a guardian and/or conservator may need to be appointed.

If you are planning your estate, I will be happy to help you and put my experience to work for you. If you have been appointed executor of an estate, I can assist you throughout the process. Even if you’ve already started probate, if a problem arises, call me. I also help individuals and families involved in probate controversies, such as will contests. My goal is to work with you to help you and your family avoid strained relationships and to help you through a difficult process.

Business Organizations

Are you starting or running a business? I have the experience and business knowledge necessary to guide you through each critical phase in the development and operation of your business.

I advise clients on the best type of legal structure for their business to achieve their purposes. I then help set it up, whether it is a sole proprietorship, S-corporation, corporation, limited liability company (LLC), partnership, or limited partnership.

I can advise and assist on all types of business legal matters, including purchase and sale agreements, leases, real estate transactions, loan agreements, employment contracts, secured transactions, business successions, sale of the business, and dissolution.

Real Estate Law

Are you buying or selling a house? Are you planning to build? I represent both business clients and individuals in proceedings and transactions dealing with commercial and residential real estate. I handle all types of legal issues, including:

• Purchases
• Sales
• Partitions
• Foreclosures
• Drafting of Contracts
• Deeds of Trust
• Residential Closings
• Commercial Closings

No-Fault Divorce

Traditionally, divorce in the Commonwealth of Virginia has required that one of the parties was “at fault” for the divorce – either through “willful desertion or abandonment” or “cruelty and reasonable apprehension of bodily harm.” Today, couples may achieve a dissolution of their marriage without the need to prove any fault. A “no-fault divorce” requires that husband and wife separate for a period of time and also comply with certain legal requirements.

If you wish to pursue a no-fault divorce, I can help. I will counsel you on how to comply with the law, prepare the necessary paperwork, and make the required court filings and appearances. My fees for these service are very reasonable.

For more information, or to make an appointment with me, please call (434) 846-4100, send email to westenburger@intergate.com, or complete the online form.