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Estate Planning Basics

Let's Get Uncomfortable: End of Life Conversations

Learn about end-of-life legal planning. A short presentation on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives will be followed by an open topic Q&A session.

Disclaimer: Please note: the presenter cannot answer legal questions dealing with a situation specific to an attendee, and no attorney-client relationship is created or implied during this session. DO NOT bring confidential documents or other information to this session. 

Presenter: Jeffrey B. Sodoma, Attorney

Attorney Bio

Jeffrey “Jeff” Sodoma, Esq. is an estate planning and elder law attorney in Melone Hatley, P.C.’s Virginia Beach, VA office, where his practice is focused on helping individuals and families create comprehensive estate plans that protect assets, address future needs, provide long-term security for loved ones, and preserve generational wealth. He works closely with clients to develop thoughtful, forward-looking plans tailored to each client’s goals and circumstances that offer peace of mind for the future. Jeff always places his client’s best interests first and foremost.  

Jeff regularly advises clients on all aspects of estate planning, including wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, advanced medical directives, advance planning strategies, and estate and trust administration. He also represents clients in guardianship and conservatorship matters, guiding families through complex legal and fiduciary responsibilities with compassion and legal clarity.  He is also a VSB-registered Real Estate Settlement Agent.   

Before joining Melone Hatley, P.C., Jeff founded and led his own Virginia Beach-based estate planning and elder law practice, where he advised clients throughout Virginia on long-term planning, incapacity preparation, and fiduciary duties. This experience gave him firsthand insight into the importance of clear communication and intentional planning, particularly when addressing aging, disability, and family dynamics. Jeff also was employed with another regionally focused law firm in the Hampton Roads area. 

In addition to estate planning and administration, Jeff assists clients with fiduciary and compliance-related issues that often arise during the planning and administration process. His background supports a detail-oriented, analytical approach to estate matters, particularly when plans involve multiple parties, long-term oversight, or heightened legal responsibility. These skills help him with any estate planning matters for Virginia Beach families. 

Jeff is actively engaged in the legal community, including participating in advisory and evaluation committees for the Virginia State Bar. He is also qualified as a Guardian ad Litem for adults in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a credential that complements his work in estate planning and fiduciary representation. Clients value his thoughtful and compassionate counsel, responsiveness, and commitment to creating plans that provide confidence and peace of mind.  

Prior to entering the legal profession, Jeff worked in the transportation field. His past work experience gave him a unique perspective as a multi-modal, multi-sector transportation professional, with a unique understanding of both micro-level customer service, marketing, operations & maintenance disciplines, and macro-level integrated intermodal transportation system needs and features. He utilized a multi-faceted set of educational and practical experiences to help clients finance, design, plan, build, operate, market, and maintain the transportation systems of the future.   

Originally from western New York (Go Bills!), Jeff now resides in northeastern North Carolina with his wife, Melanie (a Registered Nurse), and their children, Kate, Charlotte, and Maverick.  He enjoys spending time with his family and running marathons every few years.   

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