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About John
Biography
I help business owners plan solutions. I assist families in gaining the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their affairs are in order. I show individuals of means how to save substantial amounts of tax liability.
Since beginning to practice law in 1995, my primary focus has been on Trust and Estates, and business succession planning. Meeting with business owners and other individuals, I listen to what they want to accomplish in terms of financial and retirement goals, transfers of wealth, health-care decision making, business and wealth building, and tax planning. I, along with my colleagues at Paley Rothman, design solutions tailored to fit each individual's and family's unique set of circumstances; from the simple to the complex.
Areas of Focus:
Estate planning for unmarried couples and their families; the marital deduction, elective share and the augmented estate; estate and gift tax; business entity creation and administration; business succession planning; special needs trusts and planning; charitable and planned giving; incapacity planning.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
30%
31 years | 1,000 cases
Probate
20%
31 years | 150 cases
Trusts
20%
31 years | 1,000 cases
Wills and Living Wills
20%
31 years
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in District of Columbia for 15 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
Licensed in Maryland for 18 years
State: Maryland
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Licensed in Virginia for 30 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 1995
No misconduct found
Location
No contact information is available for this lawyer
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John Max Barger's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
4 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Recommendation
Posted by anonymous | March 05, 2009 | Estate Planning
Review of J. Max Barger
Max Barger developed estate plans for my wife and me, including wills and ancillary documents. He always responded quickly to our inquiries, either by email or telephone, and helped develop innovative solutions to complex problems. I would not hesitate to call upon Max again whenever we need legal ...
Posted by anonymous | February 05, 2009 | Wills & Living Wills
First-rate estate law attorney
Mr. Barger is an experienced professional who was able to provide me with sound recommendations and alternatives to meet my particular needs for a will, living, will and associated documents.. His ready grasp of my issues and concerns as well as his forthcoming professional demeanor quickly earned m...
John Max Barger's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer and commend his very well written legal guide on wills."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Max is a terrific lawyer, very knowledgeable about his practice specialty with a practical approach to solving his client's problems."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Mr. Barger is extremely knowledgeable in the referenced practice area, and is very good about keeping up with developments in this area. His background in tax matters gives him added depth in the field. And he is always willing to assist other lawyers who have questions or issues to discuss. He also provides a public service by responding to online legal questions posted on certain websites."
"I would not think twice about endorsing J. Max Barger."
"It is my observation that J. Max Barger is an outstanding attorney. I endorse J. Max without reservation."
"Max is a delightful person. I have enjoyed getting to know him over the last year or so. He is very involved in the gay community and has become an excellent advocate for gay and lesbian issues. Max has great experience in drafting wills. I recommend him because I know clients will receive strong, well-considered advice from Max."
"Max is creative, intelligent and hard-working. He also shines in his involvement with the GLBT community. I would definitely recommend him if I was conficted out of an estate planning matter."
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Experience
Honors
2010
Volunteer of the Year, Gaylaw, Washington, DC
2002
Distingushed Service Award, Rotary International (Great Bridge)
2001
Distingushed Service Award, Rotary International (Great Bridge
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Senior Wealth Strategist and Vice President, PNC Wealth Management
2010 - 2013
Senior Counsel, Ackerman Brown, PLLC
2009 - 2010
Of Counsel, Lawrence S. Jacobs & Associates
2007 - 2013
Volunteer Coordinator for Gaylaw Estate Planning Clinic, Whitman-Walker Clinic
2006 - 2009
Attorney, Paley Rothman Goldstein Rosenberg Eig and Cooper, Chartered
2004 - 2006
Owner, Barger Law Group PLC
1999 - 2004
Adjunct Professor, Regent University School Of Law
1995 - 2004
Chairman, Estate Planning and Administration, Davis & Associates, PC
Associations
2012 - Present
Federal City Performing Arts Association (Gay Men's Chorus Washington, DC)Board of Directors
2010 - Present
Heart of America - Sweet Charity BallHost Committee
2006 - Present
GAYLAWCoordinator of Volunteers - Estate Planning Clinic
2003 - Present
American Bar Association
1995 - Present
Virginia State BarMember
2010 - 2011
Whitman-Walker Health Legal Services - Going the Extra MileHost Committee
2009 - 2009
Whitman-Walker Clinic Legal Services - AIDS Walk WashingtonOrganizing Committee
2008 - 2012
Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of CommerceBoard of Directors
2007 - 2011
Maryland State Bar AssociationMember
2007 - 2011
Bar Association of Montgomery CountyMember
2006 - 2011
Arlington County Bar AssociationMember
2004 - 2006
Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar AssociationMember
1998 - 2002
Rotary International - Great BridgeSecretary
Sample of Legal Cases
Lena Victoria KELDERHAUS v. Bruce Lynn KELDERHAUS
Common Law Marriage Not Recognized in VA
Education
1995
Regent University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1995
Regent University
MA - Masters
1987
Indiana University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2012
Modern Families and Difficult Decisions for Estate Planning
Estate Planning
2010
McLean Estate Planning Council: What To Do With the Estate Tax Mess
Estate Tax and Generation Skipping Transfer Tax Planning
2010
Five Things To Do Before You Say "I Do"
The effect of same sex marriage laws
2009
What Happens if Congress Does Nothing Before 2010? The Estate and GST Tax and How to Plan
Estate Tax and Generation Skipping Transfer Tax Planning
2009
GLBT Economic Development Summit
Protecting Your Business: 5 Vital Tips for Saving Money, Taxes and Lowering Risk
2009
Foundry United Methodist Church Planned Giving Seminar Series
Do I Really Need Estate Planning?
2009
Foundry United Methodist Church Planned Giving Seminar Series
Estate Planning With Children In Mind
2009
Foundry United Methodist Church Planned Giving Seminar Series
Estate Planning 101
2009
Fidelity Charitable Services Training for Financial Advisors
Charitable Lead Trusts: The Silver Lining in the Economic Storm Clouds
2009
CLE Training for pro bono attorneys
Basic Estate Planning for WWC Clients
2009
CLE In-Service for Whitman Walker Legal Services
Planning for Incapacity: Advance Medical Directives
2008
Montgomery County Medical Society Sponsor's Dinner and Discussion
Just What the Doctor Ordered: Asset Protection and Wealth Preservation for Physicians
2003
Merrill Lynch Financial Services - In-Service Training for Advisors
The Qualified Personal Residence Trust: Helping Your Client Gift Without Depleting Assets Under Management
2003
Edward Jones Financial Advisors in-Service
Top Ten Estate Planning Issues in Twenty Minutes
2003
Breakfast with Dan - Financial Planning Series
Top Ten Estate Planning Issues in Twenty Minutes
2002
Ninth Annual Virginia Society of CPA's Personal Financial Planning Conference
Maximizing the Value of Your Practice on Retirement, Disability of Death
2002
Merrill Lynch Financial Services - In-Service Training for Advisors
Single and Looking... For a Good Financial and Estate Plan: Planning for Nontraditional Relationships
2001
Eighth Annual Virginia Society of CPA's Personal Financial Planning Conference
What To Do If They Haven't Said "I Do: - Planning for Singles and Unmarried Couples
2001
Eighth Annual Virginia Society of CPA's Personal Financial Planning Conference
Trials and Tribulations of Fiduciaries: Ten Tips for Trustees
2001
American Express Financial Advisors In-Service
Single and Looking... For a Good Financial and Estate Plan: Planning for Nontraditional Relationships
1998
Old Dominion Estate Planning Seminar 1998
Defining Professionals' Roles in the Changing Financial Services Landscape
Publications
2009
Washington Blade
Why I Believe in GAYLAW's Work at Whitman-Walker
2008
Legal Times Magazine
Electing for Uncertainty
2008
2006
Whitepaper for Trust & Estates Law Section of Maryland State Bar
Virginia's Legislature Extends Tenants by the Entireties Type Protection to Assets Transferred to Trusts
2001
White Paper published for MCLE purposes
Single and Looking... For a Good Financial and Estate Plan: Planning for Nontraditional Relationships
2001
Eighth Annual Virginia Society of CPA's Personal Financial Planning Conference Manual
Ten Tips for Trustees
2001
Eighth Annual Virginia Society of CPA's Personal Financial Planning Conference Manual
What To Do If They Haven't Said "I Do" - Planning for Singles and Unmarried Couples
1998
Old Dominion University Estate Planning Seminar 1998
Defining Professionals' Roles in the Changing Financial Services Landscape
1998
Virginia MCLE - In connection with the Old Dominion Estate Planning Conference
Traditional v. Non Traditional Estate Planning: Is the Revocable Living Trust Replacing the Will?
1997
Federal Income Taxation of Estates Trusts and Beneficiaries, Old Dominion University
Attack on Family Limited Partnerships: Evaluating the Internal Revenue Service's Distaste for Discounts
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can a Convicted Felon act as an executor or be given power of attorney for an ill person
31 Dec 2012
Q&A
I was informed by the Louisa County Va. Probate Court that I need to file a Right of Partition
26 Dec 2012
Q&A
Virginia Wills & Estate Law---
06 May 2010