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Law Offices of Deborah G. Matthews

Law Offices


703.548.3699
info@dmatthewslaw.com

Funeral Choices

April 2, 2014 by Deborah Matthews

As family and friends face the loss of a loved one, they are also often thrust into becoming instant funeral service consumers. The choices can be overwhelming and the costs significant. I talk with my clients about the gift of making pre-need arrangements – funeral, cremation, burial, etc. I describe pre-planning as a gift because it leaves loved ones being able to just grieve and not having to focus on making decisions. Depending on the extent of the pre-planning done, when there is a death loved ones may simply need to only set a date and time rather than trying to figure out what you would have wanted, how much to spend, and on what.

Knowing that funeral arrangement decisions are difficult, the Federal Trade Commission has produced two publications – Shopping for Funeral Services  and Your Rights When Buying Funeral Goods and Services.

If you decide to pre-plan your arrangements, be sure to contact an estate planning attorney to discuss what you can do to ensure your wishes and directions are followed.

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Filed Under: General Information, Trusts and Estates Tagged With: burial, cremation, funeral arrangements, pre-planning, services

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Location

My office is located on
Tavern Square in
Old Town Alexandria

110 North Royal Street
Suite 575
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Click for map & directions

Practice Areas

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Trust and Estate Administration

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Awards and Recognition

  • Door Opener Society member, Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, 2021
  • Fellow, Class of 2020, Virginia Law Foundation
  • Leader in the Law, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2019
  • Recognition from Delegate Paul Krizek for HB1559, extending renewal period for “Senior IDs
  • Fairfax County Public Schools, thank you for donating 2,000+ masks for vulnerable students- 2020
  • Recognition from Delegate Scott A. Surovell for suggested legislation HB1973 – Clarifying Control of Real Estate Brokerages
  • Fairfax Bar Association, Pro Bono Attorney of the Year 2012
  • American Gar Association GP|Solo, Chairman’s Award, for her leadership of the National Solo and Small Firm Conference, August 2008
  • American Bar Association GP|Solo “Star of the Quarter”
  • Fairfax Bar Association, President’s Award, 2006

Community Events

  • “Simple Estate Planning”, Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center CLE – training for lawyer volunteers to assist low income seniors and people with disabilities with estate planning.

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Deborah G. Matthews
110 North Royal Street, Suite 575
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

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703.548.3699
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info@DMatthewsLaw.com

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