James Gillis, Estate Planning Attorney in Arlington
James Gillis has focused on wills, trusts, and estates since 2009.
Our mission
We strive to provide best-in-class service to our clients. We take the time to get to know our clients, identify their goals, and help them make informed decisions, with the goals of delivering exceptional service and results for them and their families. Our practice is focused on wills, trusts, and estates, including comprehensive estate planning, probate avoidance, tax planning, estate administration, and trust administration. We serve clients in Northern Virginia and D.C.
Comprehensive estate planning
Our comprehensive estate planning services cover all contingencies, so our clients’ personal and financial affairs are covered in the event of incapacity or death, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and medical directives. We create custom structures to ensure beneficiaries receive maximum benefit from assets and property left for them, including:
- Income and transfer tax minimization
- Premarital agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Avoiding probate
- Dynasty trusts
- Asset protection trusts
- Supplemental or special needs trusts
- Marital trusts
- Family trusts
- Trusts for minors
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILIT)
- Grantor retained annuity trusts
James A. Gillis
Founder · Gillis Law
James A. Gillis founded the firm on July 2, 2022. Prior to founding the firm, James worked at several firms focused on wills, trusts, and estates. After practicing for over a decade, he decided to create his own firm. James has been thinking about wills, trusts, and estates since 2009. Prior to law school, James underwrote and originated commercial real estate loans. James lives in Arlington, Virginia, with his family, including a small dog with a big heart.
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 about James Gillis
James Gillis is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and organized. He successfully walked me through the probate process for Loudoun county.
Client review on Google
James is an exceptional attorney who listens and explains options in a clear and concise manner.
Client review on Google
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
Client reviews on Google. Each reflects one client’s experience.
For CPAs, financial advisors and referring attorneys
Many of James’s clients come through the professionals they already trust. With the client’s permission, he shares drafts and the follow-up checklist and agrees with you on who prepares which return. You stay in the loop, so account changes and filings match the plan. If you have a client who needs a will, a trust or help with an estate, James is glad to talk.
How James can help
Estate planning
Wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney and advance medical directives, with titling and deeds handled.
Estate and trust administration
Guidance for executors and trustees, from qualifying at the courthouse to the final accounting.
Gift, estate, and GST taxes
Lifetime gift planning, generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax planning, and federal estate and gift tax returns.
Talk with James Gillis
Whether you are planning ahead or handling an estate, the first step is a conversation.
Office Address
3101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22201
Office Hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Directions
Across from the Clarendon Metro station. We serve clients in Virginia and D.C., with a particular focus on Northern Virginia: Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax and Loudoun.
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