The Game Plan - Vol 1 Issue 3

Backpacks, Car Keys, and Peace of Mind: September is National Preparedness Month

A Publication of

By Jennifer Porter September always sneaks up on me. One minute it’s pool towels, summer camps, and vacation, and the next it’s new backpacks, fall sports, shopping for homecoming dresses, and teenagers complaining about how early the school day starts. This fall, we’re juggling high schoolers with learners

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 3 How We Can Help At Jennifer Porter Law, we focus on giving our clients the information to make smart choices about their legal needs. In personal injury, we help the seriously injured avoid being taken advantage of with a customized game plan. In estate planning, we create custom-designed plans that protect families, their future and their privacy. In both practice areas, our goal is to help people make proactive, informed decisions for a peaceful tomorrow. Call us today at 571-532-9070 or visit www.jenniferporterlaw.com to schedule a consultation.

College move in day!

permits (eek!), college move in dates, and all the little tasks that come with getting back into the swing of things. It’s a season of fresh starts and as a mom of three, I feel the energy shift. But it’s also a time when I expect we’ll be noticing an uptick in callers in our personal injury practice. There are more drivers on the road during morning and afternoon rush hours and that means more distracted drivers, more teenage drivers, and unfortunately, more

FREE DOWNLOAD The Top 5 Mistakes That Ruin Your Virginia Injury Case In this important guide,

Look for our banner at the football field – Go Atoms!

One of my daughters getting her learner’s permit!

Jennifer Porter shares her insider knowledge of insurance companies to help people avoid common mistakes if they are injured due to others’ negligence. Request this valuable resource to keep on hand so you can be prepared to

wrecks. Now is a great time to remind your family about safe driving habits—no texting behind the wheel, leave early, buckle up, and always watch for pedestrians. **Also, be aware of a new law in Virginia which went into effect on July 1, 2025: All vehicle occupants must wear a seatbelt, regardless of age or seat position. Failure to wear a seat belt is now a primary offense, meaning law enforcement can initiate a traffic stop based solely on the seat belt violation. I’ve seen firsthand how quickly lives can change because of one bad decision or one careless driver. A little preparedness goes a long way; so, please take a minute to talk with your loved ones about leaving 5 minutes early, be a cautious defensive driver, and take a look at your auto policy to make sure your loved ones are covered by at least $1,000,000 of uninsured motorist coverage. It makes all the difference. —continued on page 3

protect yourself against insurance companies and unscrupulous adjusters. Scan the code or visit jenniferporterlaw.com

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The Game Plan

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N G T I

“It’s Already Spelled Out” — Estate Planning That Brings Clarity

E S T A T E P L A N N I

Is Your College Student Legally Prepared? By Stephanie Himel-Nelson, Estate Planning Attorney Once your child turns 18, you lose automatic access to their medical and financial information. Our Young Adult Document Package includes: • Healthcare Power of Attorney • General Durable Power of Attorney • HIPAA Authorization These essential documents allow you to help in an emergency—whether it's a medical issue or managing finances from afar. Call 571-532-9070 to schedule a quick consult and get your young adult legally prepared before they head back to campus.

We are very excited to share that our principal estate planning attorney, Stephanie Himel-Nelson, was featured on WTKR in Hampton Roads in July in a segment about the importance of having an estate plan. Stephanie and one of our clients, Danyiele

Stephanie Himel-Nelson Estate Planning Attorney

Peterson, shared how they had worked together to create a trust that clearly outlines Danyiele’s wishes so there’s no second guessing, no scrambling, and no unnecessary stress for her loved ones later in life. You can watch the news segment at the link below. At Jennifer Porter Law, we help individuals and families across Virginia take control of their future with estate plans that reflect what matters most. • Wills • Trusts • Powers of Attorney • Guardian Nominations Scan the QR code to see the news segment and connect with Stephanie.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT JENNIFER PORTER LAW

I ended up with a great settlement, all loose ends taken care of and most of all, I now have the feeling of much needed relief!

“From the moment I made the initial call, Jennifer and her wonderful paralegal Allison Alvey listened to me and my distress with genuine intent—to give me the help and advice I truly needed. They handled all the headaches of the paperwork, the back and forth with insurers, and set me up with a physical therapist. Allison was my main contact during this whole experience, and she was outstanding in her professionalism and in keeping me consistently updated.”

“I ended up with a great settlement, all loose ends taken care of and most of all, I now have the feeling of much needed relief! I can breathe again!” “Jennifer Porter Law is nothing less than a positive experience! I highly appreciate their warmth and authenticity. They are good people. If you need guidance and help from a personal injury accident, I couldn't recommend them enough! My humblest thanks to Jennifer Porter and her team!”

“When I was in an auto accident some time ago in Dale City, it had left me with a lot pain and misery—so much sensory overload betwixt doctors and insurance agents hounding me in less than a day from that near fatal event. I was beaten up badly, with hardly a clue with how to handle it all. Thankfully Jennifer Porter and her team were there to guide me on this journey.”

Jennifer Porter Law has a 5.0 star rating with over 126 Google reviews. If we have helped you, please consider sharing your experience.

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JenniferPorterLaw.com

With school back in session, the roads are busier, the drivers more distracted, and the risks greater— especially during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Now is a great time to dust off your auto insurance declarations page and take a close look. Key coverages that most people don’t pay enough attention to: • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) – The most important thing in your policy. This is what protects you when the driver who hit you does not have insurance or is a hit-and run driver who flees the scene. This coverage also protects you if the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover all the damages they’ve caused you. Back-to-School Traffic? It’s Time to Review Your AUTO POLICY By Jennifer Porter I recommend that you have at least $1,000,000 of UM/UIM coverage.

—continued from page 1 Backpacks, Car Keys, and Peace of Mind: September is National Preparedness Month

• Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) – This is no-fault coverage that you can use to cover your out-of-pocket expenses for your medical bills after an accident. It is especially helpful if you don’t have health insurance. • Rental Reimbursement & Roadside Assistance – Often inexpensive but critical when you need it. The thing that people are most upset about right after an accident is how to get into a rental and who is paying their tow bill. Save yourself some stress and make sure this is on your policy. Unfortunately, we often meet clients after they learn the hard way that their coverage was lacking. Let’s prevent that. Need help understanding what’s worth keeping – and what’s not? We can help.

Homecoming season is here!

And for those of us sending kids off to college – there’s another kind of preparedness we don’t talk about enough. Once your child turns 18, you no longer have automatic access to their medical or financial information. If something happens and they need help, you could be legally stuck on the sidelines unless the right documents are in place. That’s why we offer a Young Adult Document Package – a simple but powerful set of tools every college student (and parent!) should have. It includes a Healthcare Power of Attorney, a General Durable Power of Attorney, and a HIPAA-compliant medical authorization. These forms ensure that if your young adult needs medical care, faces an emergency, or even just locks themselves out of their bank account – you can step in and help. Whether your September means backpacks or briefcases, it’s the perfect time to pause and prepare. At Jennifer Porter Law, we’re here to help you plan for the unexpected – so you can enjoy the present with a little more peace of mind. - Jennifer

WHAT ARE WE READING?

By Allison A. | Paralegal

Currently, I'm deep into the fantasy series Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. At the moment, I’m reading (and listening to) Crown of Midnight. My favorite way to read is with either my Kindle or a

paperback copy—paired with the audiobook playing in the background for a fully immersive experience. So far this year, I’ve read 21 books, and this one will make it 22!

Reading is one of my favorite ways to unwind and relax after a long workday. What about you? What books are you reading right now? Snap a photo and send it our way—we’d love to see your current reads and may even

feature your photo in an upcoming social media post! Email your pictures to maria@jenniferporterlaw.com.

The Game Plan Newsletter is a publication of Jennifer Porter Law. To subscribe, email contactus@jenniferporterlaw.com This publication is for information purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. The information in this newsletter may be freely copied and distributed as long as the newsletter is copied in its entirety. Design and publication by Zine (www.zinemarketing.com). Copyright 2025 by Jennifer Porter Law.

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Fairfax (Now Springfield) Office 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 102 Springfield, VA 22151 Norfolk Office 999 Waterside Dr #2525 Norfolk, VA 23510 Phone: (571) 532-9070

We’ve

moved!

Hello From Jennifer Porter Welcome to The Game Plan . In this issue, we are excited to share that our principal estate planning attorney, Stephanie Himel-Nelson, was featured on WTKR in Hampton Roads! We also share tips for a little more peace of mind during this season and Allison’s thoughts on how best to enjoy reading your favorite book series. I hope you enjoy!

THANK YOU FOR THE REFERRALS We sincerely appreciate your trust in us and

- Jennifer Porter

your referrals—they mean the world to our firm! Thank you for helping us continue to serve our community with dedication and care.

Fall Must-Haves from the Jennifer Porter Law Team We asked our team what feels like Fall to them.

Michelle enjoys a quiet day in with a blanket, warm latte, and a comfort movie like You’ve Got Mail.

Allison looks forward to

Stephanie loves apple cider donuts and a trip to the pumpkin patch. She recommends trying Bergey's Breadbasket in Chesapeake.

Emily is all about fall-scented candles, pumpkin pie, and her mom’s cozy quaker con manzana (with apple)

Jennifer looks forward to the return of the PSL (iykyk), sweater weather, Friday night football (Go Atoms!), and the changing leaves at Lake Accotink.

Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion and trick-or treating with her 9-year-old.

What’s your fall must-have? Tag us or email your fall vibes to maria@jenniferporterlaw.com

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