Nicholas R. Thompson

Nick Thompson focuses his practice on helping individuals and families navigate complex estate planning, guardianship, conservatorship, and adoption matters throughout Virginia. He advises ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients on sophisticated planning strategies designed to preserve wealth, protect loved ones, and prepare for future generations. Nick also counsels families of individuals under a disability through the uncontested guardianship process at affordable flat fees.

Before joining Pender & Coward, Nick practiced at two international law firms where he represented lenders, borrowers, private equity firms, and public and private companies in complex commercial financing, mergers and acquisitions, and energy transactions. That experience continues to shape his practical, business-minded approach to solving sophisticated legal challenges for clients.

Nick combines technical legal knowledge with practical guidance, helping clients develop estate plans that reflect their personal goals, family dynamics, and long-term objectives.

Practice Areas

Nick advises clients across several interconnected areas of estate planning and fiduciary law.

Estate Planning

Nick works with individuals and families to develop customized estate plans designed to preserve wealth, minimize uncertainty, and protect future generations. His work includes trusts, special needs trusts, wills, powers of attorney, advance medical directives, and sophisticated planning strategies for high-net-worth families.

Guardianship and Conservatorship

Nick assists families with guardianship and conservatorship matters involving aging adults, individuals with disabilities, and other situations requiring court-appointed decision-making. He provides practical, affordable guidance through what are often emotionally complex legal proceedings.

Adoption

Nick represents clients throughout the adoption process, helping families navigate legal requirements while working toward successful outcomes for parents and children.

Business Succession & Wealth Transfer

Nick advises business owners and high-net-worth individuals on succession planning strategies that align business objectives with long-term estate planning goals.

Helping Individuals and Families Plan for the Future

Nick works with clients facing important life decisions involving family, wealth, incapacity planning, and long-term care considerations.

His practice frequently involves:

• Comprehensive estate planning
• Trust creation and administration
• Guardianship proceedings
• Conservatorship matters
• Adoption planning
• Wealth preservation strategies
• Business succession considerations
• Planning for aging family members

Whether developing sophisticated estate plans or helping families navigate guardianship proceedings, Nick focuses on providing practical legal guidance tailored to each client's unique circumstances.

Who Nick Represents

Nick advises a diverse range of clients throughout Virginia, including:

• Ultra-high-net-worth individuals
• High-net-worth families
• Business owners
• Executives
• Aging adults and their families
• Individuals under a disability and their families
• Parents pursuing adoption
• Individuals planning for future incapacity
• Fiduciaries and trustees

His clients often seek legal guidance during significant life events that require thoughtful planning and experienced legal counsel.

Representative Experience

Nick's practice includes advising clients on matters involving:

• Sophisticated estate planning for high-net-worth families
• Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
• Adoption matters
• Wealth transfer planning
• Trust and estate planning strategies
• Business succession planning
• Complex commercial finance transactions
• Mergers and acquisitions involving public, private, and private equity companies

His prior experience advising financial institutions, businesses, and investors provides valuable perspective when estate planning intersects with business ownership and complex financial assets.

Approach to Representation

Nick believes estate planning is about more than preparing legal documents—it's about helping clients make informed decisions that protect the people and assets most important to them.

He works closely with clients to understand their goals, explain complex legal concepts in practical terms, and develop strategies that evolve as family, financial, and business circumstances change. His objective is to provide thoughtful legal counsel that gives clients confidence in their long-term plans.

Teaching, Leadership and Professional Education

Nick currently serves as an Adjunct Professor leading the University of Richmond School of Law's Aging & Disability Practicum.

Previously, he served as an Adjunct Professor and Director of William & Mary Law School's Elder & Disability Law Clinic, where he supervised students and helped educate future attorneys practicing in elder and disability law.

Nick also regularly presents continuing legal education seminars focused on guardianship and conservatorship matters, helping legal professionals stay current on developments affecting Virginia law.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of estate planning clients does Nick Thompson work with?

Nick advises individuals, families, business owners, and high-net-worth clients on sophisticated estate planning strategies designed to preserve wealth, protect loved ones, and prepare for future generations.

Does Nick Thompson handle guardianship and conservatorship matters?

Yes. Nick regularly assists families navigating guardianship and conservatorship proceedings involving aging adults, individuals with disabilities, and other situations requiring court-appointed decision-making. Nick provides affordable guardianship services at flat rates.

How much do uncontested guardianships cost in Virginia?

While Nick provides affordable uncontested guardianship services at flat rates, additional costs for obtaining legal guardianship may include filing fees, guardian ad litem fees, and bond premiums. These additional fees may be waived or paid for by the Commonwealth of Virginia based on certain factors.

Can Nick Thompson help business owners with succession planning?

Yes. Nick advises business owners on succession planning strategies that integrate business continuity with broader estate planning and wealth transfer goals.

Does Nick Thompson assist with adoption matters?

Yes. Nick represents families throughout the adoption process, helping clients navigate legal requirements while working toward successful outcomes.

What makes Nick Thompson's background unique?

Before joining Pender & Coward, Nick practiced at international law firms advising clients on sophisticated commercial finance, mergers and acquisitions, and energy transactions. He also teaches future attorneys as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Richmond School of Law and regularly presents continuing legal education seminars on guardianship and conservatorship.

Contact Nick Thompson

Whether you're planning for your family's future, navigating guardianship proceedings while searching for an affordable guardianship attorney, or developing a sophisticated estate plan, Nick provides experienced legal guidance tailored to your unique circumstances. To request a consultation, contact Pender & Coward.