VANNESS LAW

Building your Legacy, Together

 Welcome To VanNess Law

VanNess Law PLLC is a full-service law firm assisting individuals and families, business owners, and advisers across the country in the implementation of asset protection, estate planning, and business strategies. We also help with probate upon the death of a loved one.


Through all phases of life, including accumulation, preservation, and the transition of wealth to future generations, VanNess Law PLLC can guide you and your family to solutions that keep family and business harmony, save taxes, avoid court, and meet your unique goals.  This often includes the use of wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, business organizations and other legal arrangements. VanNess Law PLLC combines Big Law expertise with the communication you can expect from a trusted family adviser.


We take pride in offering custom tailored solutions because we recognize that although there may be commonality, each person, family, and business is different.


VanNess Law PLLC is fortunate enough to represent clients who include executives of Fortune 500 companies, physicians, attorneys, professional athletes, real estate developers, investors, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. We provide exceptional client service, education and use innovative technology to ensure our clients receive the best experience possible.


With over a decade of experience, we have helped thousands of families and advisers across the country.

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While every one of our clients are unique, at VanNess Law PLLC we serve all of them according to the following principles:

Clients are not dependent on us, we are dependent on them.

Clients are the purpose of our work, not an interruption; answering your questions is a privilege – an opportunity to earn your business and trust.

Communicate with clients before they realize they have a question.

We must over deliver for our clients.

All client information and communication is confidential.

Clients rely on us to help them continue to prosper, and our job is to do so as courteously, efficiently and effectively as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

*This is not legal advice. Statements made may be generalizations and exceptions may apply.

Please seek the assistance of a licensed attorney before relying on any statements contained herein.

  • Does a Will avoid probate?

    No, a Will (or Last Will and Testament) is a legal document that provides instructions to a probate judge regarding the disposition of your property upon your death. A will can only be enforced through a probate court.

  • How do I avoid probate?

    There are 3 general ways to title assets to avoid probate: (i) assets titled jointly with rights of survivorship, (ii) assets that pass by operation of law or beneficiary designation, and (iii) assets in a trust.

  • What is a trust?

    A trust is a contract reflecting a legal relationship between three parties, the Settlor, the Trustee, and the Beneficiary. The Settlor transfers legal title to some or all of his or her property to the Trustee who holds, manages and disburses the trust property and its income for the benefit of the Beneficiary. The Trustee is governed by terms of the Trust Agreement which is drafted by the attorney for the Settlor.

  • What types of trusts are there?

    Generally speaking, there are two types of trusts: revocable “living” trusts and irrevocable trusts.

  • What are the benefits of a revocable “living” trust?

    A revocable “living” trust enables your loved ones to manage and disburse your assets for your benefit if you are incapacitated. It may enable you to reduce or eliminate Federal estate taxes. It may enable you to avoid probate for your estate after you pass on. A revocable “living” trust is able to address the special needs of family members who may have physical or mental disabilities or other personal issues which interfere with their ability to manage their own financial affairs. Lastly, a properly created revocable “living” trust can also protect a beneficiary’s inheritance from lawsuits and divorce.

  • Why would someone want an irrevocable trust?

    Typically, irrevocable trusts are created for tax minimization and to protect assets against third parties.

  • Can irrevocable trusts be changed?

    Yes, more often than not our firm can amend or modify your irrevocable trust

  • Will a revocable trust protect my assets from creditors?

    No, a revocable trust provides no protection against the settlor’s creditors.

  • Does my limited liability company (“LLC”) protect my assets?

    Only if it's set up and maintained correctly. Having an LLC is not enough. You have to follow certain legal formalities for the LLC to be respected in a lawsuit.

  • Does a Will trump a beneficiary designation for how property is distributed?

    No, a valid beneficiary designation for a specific asset controls regardless of what a Will states

  • What is the difference between an Agent acting under a Power of Attorney and a Trustee?

    The difference is the Agent acting under a Power of Attorney has authority over non-trust assets and other decisions, while a Trustee has authority only over trust assets.

  • How is a Living Will different than a Last Will and Testament?

    A Living Will sets forth your wishes regarding life sustaining measures if death is imminent. A Living Will often states the person’s desire not to be kept alive by artificial means when the person has a terminal condition or is in a vegetative state. A Last Will and Testament (or Will) sets forth how probate assets should be divided upon your death and appoints individuals to carry out your intent.

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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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