Matt Yanovitch's practice focuses on trust and estate disputes and litigation. His practice includes representation of executors, administrators, trustees, heirs, and creditors in disputes involving wills, trusts, and inherited property. He is experienced in probate matters, guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, elective share and augmented estate proceedings, constructive trust cases, petitions for aid and direction of the court, and matters involving powers of attorney. He has testified as an expert witness on attorney fees in trust litigation. He also advises and guides fiduciaries through the estate and trust administration process.
Matt also practices in the areas of health care law and commercial litigation. He represents health care businesses in court and in administrative proceedings before government agencies. His commercial litigation practice consists of representing banks, mortgage companies, commercial real estate developers, and various other businesses in contractual disputes, including significant landlord-tenant experience.
Education
Education
Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, Washington, District of Columbia (J.D., 2007) Law Review: Catholic University Law Review, Staff Member
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (B.S., Chemistry, 1999)
Bar Admissions
Bar Admissions
Virginia
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia
U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
Clerkships
Clerkships
Hon. William D. Hamblen, 31st Judicial Circuit of Virginia, Judicial Clerk, 2007 - 2008
Representative Experience
Representative Experience
Obtained jury verdict setting aside a decedent’s will for undue influence and lack of testamentary capacity (Greensville County Circuit Court, Fajna v. Taylor, No. 22-115)
Represented lifetime beneficiary of trust in successfully forcing increased distribution amounts and forcing sale of trust real estate for her support (Grandstaff v. Heitz, et al, Rockingham County Circuit Court, No. 21-1166)
Represented nonprofit educational institution in $30 million suit against estate and trust of a decedent (Fork Union Military Academy v. Cook, et al., Fairfax County Circuit Court, No. 2016-14934)
Represented mortgage bank in indemnification lawsuits against mortgage originator regarding defaulted mortgage loans (SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. v. North Shore Bank, No. 3:14CV385, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20691 (E.D.Va. Feb 20, 2015); SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. v. Mortgage Financial Services, LLC, 2015 Va. Cir. LEXIS 48 (Henrico County Circuit Court, May 6, 2015))
Represented heirs of a decedent in the recovery of $4 million in a dispute with the executor over interpretation of the will (Pohl v. Latane, et al., Henrico County Circuit Court, No. 11-62)
Represented national commercial real estate developer against adjacent parcel owner in lawsuit involving maintenance costs and property ownership rights (DDR Southeast Short Pump, LLC v. Sledd Properties, Henrico County Circuit Court, CL11-3513)
Represented family member of a decedent against the decedent's estate in the successful recovery of life insurance proceeds wrongfully paid to the estate (Bennett v. Bennett, Richmond Circuit Court, CL09-2558-5)
Successfully defended administrator of decedent’s estate in circuit court after his qualification was challenged by his siblings (Parker v. Taylor, Richmond Circuit Court, No. 10-1412)
Honors and Awards
Honors and Awards
Best Lawyers in America 2025 for Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Resolving Disputes and Navigating Probate Litigation, National Business Institute, October 21, 2024 (Continuing Legal Education)
Beneficiary Disputes, Will and Trust Contests, Probate Litigation, National Business Institute, October 5, 2022 (Continuing Legal Education)
Published Works
Published Works
Comment: Dissecting the Constitutional Admissibility of Autopsy Reports after Crawford, 57 Cath. U.L. Rev. 269, 2008
Past Employment Positions
Past Employment Positions
City of Charlottesville, VA, Professional Firefighter, 2000 - 2004
Hill Neuroscience Laboratory, Laboratory Specialist, 1999
Off the Clock
Off the Clock
Before beginning his legal career, Matt served five years as a professional firefighter for the City of Charlottesville. His volunteer community service includes eight years as an emergency medical technician with the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad, where he served as a member of the board of directors and held various leadership positions including deputy chief of operations.
