Christopher M. McCarthy

Dedicated to Elder Law for a family’s peace of mind

After decades of elder law work – the only area of law he has ever practiced – Christopher McCarthy understands the many legal, financial, and healthcare options most suitable to achieving his clients’ goals. Practicing out of the Firm’s Midlothian office*, he advises seniors and their families in estate planning, estate and trust administration, long-term care planning, special needs planning, and adult guardianship. Common issues clients face may include planning for disability or incapacity, paying for the high costs of long-term care, and deciding whether to remain in their home or transition to an assisted living facility or retirement community.

Often times, the process of creating a long-term care plan for seniors requires a continuum of expensive life-care services throughout the years. And there may be more options to pay for those services than is readily apparent.

“I want my clients and their families to have peace of mind knowing that they’ve considered all appropriate options, and that there is a solid plan in place to address their current and future needs,” Chris says. “Many clients are dealing with situations of incredible stress and uncertainty. I’m able to provide them with solutions they didn’t think were possible, and help turn worst-case scenarios into something manageable.”

A former Captain in the U.S. Army, Chris had active duty assignments in Germany and Washington, and today helps veterans, many of them seniors, with benefits planning for long-term care.

Chris was also the first attorney in central Virginia to become a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) through the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF). NELF is the only national organization accredited by the American Bar Association to offer certification in elder law.

Over the years, Chris has advocated for the rights of the elderly in front of the Virginia General Assembly and regulatory agencies, helping to craft rules that are favorable to senior citizens. Prior to joining ThompsonMcMullan, he was a partner with White & McCarthy, a boutique firm specializing in elder law. Virginia Lawyers Weekly honored Chris as a “Leader in the Law” for expanding and elevating the practice of elder law and providing leadership in the legal profession and service to the community.

*While Chris operates his practice primarily from the Midlothian office, he is available to meet with clients at either the Midlothian or Shockoe location.