Matthew M. Farley

Matthew’s estate planning practice consists of planning for the disposition of assets at death with wills and revocable trusts and also planning for incapacity with powers of attorneys and advance medical directives.  Matthew also advises clients about the most effective way to title their assets and designate beneficiaries of retirement accounts and life insurance policies.

Many of Matthew’s clients are concerned about the impact of the federal estate tax on their families.  A significant part of Matthew’s estate planning practice is helping clients navigate the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes.  This tax planning typically involves transferring assets during the client’s lifetime using irrevocable trusts, closely held businesses, and charitable trusts and foundations, and also designing wills and revocable trusts that are tax efficient and flexible to adapt to the seemingly ever-changing tax laws.

Matthew’s trust and estate administration practice involves both serving as fiduciary (i.e., as an executor or trustee) and representing fiduciaries and beneficiaries.  This work includes probate, administering estates from start to finish, establishing and funding trusts – both during the grantor’s lifetime and upon death, distributing assets pursuant to the terms of the will or trust, and preparing accountings, fiduciary income tax returns, and estate tax returns.

Finally, a sizable part of Matthew’s administration practice involves working with fiduciaries and beneficiaries to resolve disputes, modify and terminate trusts when appropriate, and change trustees when necessary.

Matthew’s prior experience includes:

• Mays & Valentine LLP (1998-2001)
• Troutman Sanders LLP (2001-2005)

• University of Richmond School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude (1998) – Order of the Coif, Law Review, and Moot Court Board
• Sewanee, The University of the South, B.A. in English (1991)
• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow
• Recognized in Best Lawyers in America since 2008
• Recognized in Virginia Business magazine’s “Legal Elite” (2005-2008, 2010-2011, 2013-2021)
• Recognized in Virginia Super Lawyers since 2007

Matthew is a member of both the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Bar Association and has been actively involved with the VBA as a member of the Wills, Trusts & Estates Section.  Matthew is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars on topics related to trust and estate planning and administration.  Matthew also is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Richmond and the Trust Administrators Council Richmond.  Finally, Matthew has volunteered with many charitable and civic organizations, including Friends of Elk Hill Farm, American Heart Association, St. Christopher’s School, and Little Sisters of the Poor.