Long before Linda became Linda M. Sherfey, Attorney and Counselor at Law, she was an officer in the U.S. Navy. It was a career that brought her to Hampton Roads, where she retired from service after 20 years. During the last four years of her military service, Linda, a self-described planner, began preparing for a law career by attending Regent University law school at night, where she found herself especially drawn to estate planning.

"In my own life's journey, I was completely clueless about estate planning until I was in law school," Linda says. "It saddens and scares me that so many people don't know what I now know, and so my mission has become to write and speak about estate planning in a way that is not only informative but also interesting."

To accomplish her goal, Linda wrote a book entitled The 5 Declassified Estate Planning Secrets You Can't Afford to Ignore. The book's subtitle says it all: What You Don't Know Can Sink You, Your Family, Create Unnecessary Stress, Frustration, Cost Thousands of Dollars and Result In a Family Meltdown. In addition, Linda sponsors monthly seminars about estate planning where everyone who attends receives a free copy of her book. (Watch The Shopper for seminar dates.) The book is also available for purchase in print or as an e-book at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Linda is confident and articulate when she describes her approach to practicing law. "I am a problem solver," she says. "I listen. Clients tell me about their family, their issues, and their goals. I provide the legal know-how. We work together as a team. I have a process for providing a customized estate planning experience and building relationships 'lifelong relationships' with the people I serve."

It was this desire to provide outstanding service for her clients that inspired Linda to open her own firm in 2005, a firm completely and solely dedicated to estate planning and estate administration.

As an expert in her field, Linda knows what works. "Most people want to do the right thing by their families but just don't know what that actually means," she says. "Estate planning today is so much more than planning for what happens to our assets after we die. The reality is that we live long lives. Mental disability and some level of long-term care are likely. The earlier people begin to plan for this reality, the better."

Linda has redefined the estate-planning experience for her clients. "I want to be a family's trusted legal advisor for the long haul," she says. "I don't charge by the hour but by the service, at a flat rate, so there are no surprises. I meet with families in their homes and, when necessary, at a nursing home or assisted living facility. In other words, I make house calls. My clients know I've thrown the time clock out the window and want to concentrate only on designing a customized plan for each of them."

"I want to do everything I can to encourage seniors who want to prevent stress, frustration, and a possible family meltdown by creating a customized estate plan," she says. "Estate planning is really a gift to your loved ones."

Clearly passionate about her subject, Linda continues, "Estate planning is so much more than writing a will. Planning avoids a crisis, and the longer we wait the fewer options we have. I help families put their plan in place, and remind them to keep their plan up-to-date. Mostly, I make sure my clients can rest easy at night knowing they have a plan, a guide, and a resource if their family has questions."

According to Linda, clients say that what they like best is her clear and easily understandable way of explaining estate planning. They also say that Linda asks leading questions, really listens, and offers customized solutions. She has a "put at ease' kind of attitude, and never tries to rush or pressure clients.

Being a wife, mother, and grandmother herself, Linda brings a true empathy for families to her work. She and her husband, Sol, have been married since 1983. They have a daughter, Joanna, five grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

Linda offers a unique, printed monthly newsletter. In addition to legal advice in plain English, the newsletter contains a word search puzzle and a tested recipe. Anyone can get a free subscription.

She loves to speak to groups and is never boring. Her favorite topic is "Your Misconception About Estate Planning That Can Cost You Thousands Of Dollars And Create Stress, Frustration and Sleepless Nights For Your Family."

Linda's parents were Roscoe and Mary. "They meant everything to me," she shares. "They taught me to live with integrity, to seek excellence, and to value ethics in my profession. They also taught me the value of planning and a dedication to learning" to knowledge. But most importantly, they taught me the value of both serving others and of relationships, and that the connections we share with one another as human beings are what really matter in this life. We all want the same things " to avoid pain and find happiness, for ourselves and our loved ones," she says, "and for me it is my deep desire to form a personal connection with my clients that makes me a different kind of lawyer."