Matthew C. Sunderlin

Joined the Firm in 1999

Education

• Juris Doctor, Regent University School of Law, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 1995
• Baccalaureate in History, Hampden–Sydney College, Hampden–Sydney, Virginia, 1989

Admissions

• Virginia Supreme Court, 1995
• United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 1996
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 1997
• United States District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia, 1997

Certifications

• Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation, since 2003
• Certified Guardian ad litem for incapacitated adults by the Virginia Supreme Court, since 2003

Appointment

• Assistant Commissioner of Accounts, Circuit Court of Rockingham County, since 2021

Recognitions

• “AV” Preeminent – Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™
• Best Lawyers in America©, 30th edition, for his work in Elder Law, 2023
• Virginia Super Lawyers magazine© in Elder Law, 2008-2009 and 2012-2023
• Legal Elite in Elder Law, Virginia Business© magazine, 2020

Publications

• A Quick Primer on Medicaid Estate Recovery in Virginia, a webinar presented and published in September 2021 by Virginia Continuing Legal Education, Inc.
• “Managing Incapacity” part of Virginia Elder Law, published in 2011, 2016 and 2021 by Virginia Continuing Legal Education, Inc.
• “Medicaid Estate Recovery in Virginia: What to do with DMAS comes knocking at the door?” published in 2019 by the Virginia Bar Association.
• “Top 10 Issues in Adult Guardianship”, a webcast co-presented and published in 2010 by Virginia Continuing Legal Education, Inc.
• “Planning for Incapacity” part of Elder Law Basics, published in 2007 by Virginia Continuing Legal Education, Inc.

Current Professional Affiliations

• Member, Virginia Bar Association, since 1995
• Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, since 1998
• Member, Harrisonburg-Rockingham Bar Association, since 1999
• Member, Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, since 2005

Current Community Activities

• Member, Local Advisory Board, Truist Financial, since 2019
• Member, Board of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Foundation, since 2019
• Member, Advisory Board, RMH Foundation, Inc., since 2021
• Member, Rotary Club of Harrisonburg, since 2000
• Member, Fort Harrison Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, since 2006

Past Community Activities

• Chairman (2020-2023), Board Member (2015-2023), Central and Western Virginia Chapter, Alzheimer’s Association
• Member (2006-2009 and 2020-2022), Board of Directors, Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• Chairman (2018-2021), Vice-Chairman (2017–2018), Board Member (2013-2021), Blue Ridge Community College Board – Representative of Rockingham County appointed by the Rockingham County Board of Supervisors.
• Instructor (2014, 2019), James Madison University Life Long Learning Institute
• Assistant District Governor (2013–2017), Area 3, District 7570, Rotary International
• President (2009-2010), Board Member (2006-2010), Rotary Club of Harrisonburg
• President (2012–2015), Board Member (2007-2015), Autumn Valley Guardianship, a Public Guardianship program
• Member (2009–2014), Harrisonburg Council, Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
• Member (2005–2011), Board of Directors, Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation, Inc.
• Member (2004-2010), Board of Directors, Commonwealth Community Trust
• Member (2014-2020), Planned Giving Committee, RMH Foundation, Inc.
• President (2007–2009) and Board Member (2002–2009), The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham
• President (2008–2009) and Board Member (2003–2009), The ElderAlliance, Inc.

Past Professional Affiliations

• Lecturer and contributing author, Virginia Bar Association Summer Meeting, 2019.
• Lecturer and contributing author, Virginia Continuing Legal Education, Inc., 2007, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2021.
• President (2014-2015), President-Elect (2013-2014), Treasurer (2011-2012), Harrisonburg–Rockingham Bar Association.
• Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Harrisonburg-Rockingham, Class of 2001
• Representative from the Harrisonburg–Rockingham County Bar Association, Conference of Local Bar Associations, Virginia State Bar, 2003–2006.

Practice Areas

• Planning of taxable and non-taxable estates;
• Drafting Last Will and Testaments and trusts (revocable, irrevocable, charitable, asset protection, life insurance and testamentary);
• Fiduciary services – acting as executor, trustee, and attorney-in-fact for clients;
• Representation of fiduciaries and personal representatives: executors, administrators, trustees, health care agents, and attorneys-in-fact;
• Trust and estate administration and probate;
• Incapacity planning: drafting financial powers of attorneys and Advance Medical Directives (health care powers of attorney and end of life decision making);
• Taxation issues: gift, estate, and fiduciary income taxes;
• Public benefits planning with regard to long term care: Medicaid and Medicare;
• Petitions for and defense of adult guardianships and conservatorships;
• Contested estate and trust disputes;
• Accepts appointment as guardian ad litem in guardianship and conservatorship petitions; and,
• Appeared before all Commissioner of Accounts’ Offices and in all Circuit Courts in the Shenandoah Valley from Frederick County in the north and south to Rockbridge County.

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