About Our Firm

     The Nance Law Firm, PLC protects Virginia families from legal and financial disaster by focusing on wise family wealth transfer, choice of guardians for young children, and trust and estate planning. We work with a diverse group of clients and their advisors to achieve important family objectives. Generally our services include:

• Asset Protection
• Protections for Children and Grandchildren
• Elder Law and Disability Planning
• Estate Planning and Administration
• Estate Tax Planning
• Charitable Gift Planning
• Business Planning

Charles H. Nance, Attorney at Law

     Charles Nance’s practice includes trust and estate planning, asset protection elder law. He represents clients on such matters as planning for naming guardians for young children, assisting older or disabled persons with nursing home care, transfer of a family business, and distribution to family members and favorite charities with a minimum of taxes, fees, and government intervention. He assists families struggling with the legal and financial challenges of disabilities such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

     Prior to limiting his practice to estate planning, Charles was an in-house lawyer for a securities broker-dealer, a work-out consultant for private real estate investors, and a developer of tax-credit housing for low income families. He previously served as a legislative assistant in the U.S. House or Representatives and as an assistant to various Virginia elected officials.

     Charles is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and earned his law degree from George Mason University, where he was chosen by his peers as Rector (or chairman) of the University’s Board of Visitors. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar (Trusts & Estates Section). He formerly served on the Continuing Education Committee of the Bar Association of the City of Richmond. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Charles is a frequent speaker before regional business, community and professional organizations, is an approved speaker for continuing education programs for insurance and accounting professionals, and is a frequent guest on radio and television programs. He has been interviewed by CNN Financial Network on planning for multi-generational IRA distribution, and has been selected by Virginia Business Magazine as a leading tax and estate attorney in an annual survey of the state’s “Legal Elite.” He is the author of “The Consumer’s Guide to Nursing Homes and the Division of Assets in Virginia”.

     Charles’ civic involvements have included the board and the advisory committee of the Robert R. Moton Museum in Farmville, Virginia (the center for the history of civil rights in education), and Leadership Metro Richmond. In 2002, he was elected by Richmond voters to the Richmond Public School Board, and was a candidate for mayor in 2004. In 2007, Charles was appointed by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine as one of four citizen members of the board of the Virginia College Savings Plan, of which he is now board chair.

     Charles and his wife, the former Elizabeth Kern of Winchester, Virginia, have two children and live in Richmond’s Westhampton neighborhood.

Kelly P. Baker, Legal Assistant

     Kelly P. Baker serves as Director of Client Services for The Nance Law Firm, PLC. Mrs. Baker is a graduate of Virginia Western Community College with a background in customer service and administration. Before moving to Richmond, she has worked in customer service and meeting planning for Roanoke's economic development partnership, the Regional Partnership of the Roanoke Valley, and previously worked in similar role in a professional medical practice. Mrs. Baker lives in Western Henrico County with her husband and four children.