Charles Shumaker Attorney & Counselor at Law

Attorney Charles Shumaker focuses his practice on complex family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and child support cases, as well as estate litigation matters from Smith Strong's West End Richmond and Williamsburg offices locations, with an emphasis on skillful negotiated settlements and, if needed, an assertive in-court, prepared trial presentation.  

Charles appears in court about once per week in the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court (JDR) and Circuit Courts, typically within an hour or so radius around Richmond, Virginia.

Charles prides himself on his ability to set forth the goals and plan of action for his clients in their first meeting, and methodically moving forward to meet those needs, with frequent contact, and a calm and patient demeanor with his clients.

Charles is a life-long resident of Virginia, growing up in Buckingham County, where he observed his father owning and operating a successful plumbing business that remains in operation.  Charles notes, "I saw how my father cared for his customers, some of whom had to pay for services in agricultural goods to make ends meet, he welcomed everyone to his business, and personally served each one until the job was done.  I credit my father with my work ethic and style of dealing with clients."  When asked, did he ever consider plumbing?  He's quick to shake his head, "While working with my father as a teenager, I had a close encounter with a snake, and decided to redirect my career path to the law as I entered college."  

Having earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Longwood University, Charles received his Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law, graduating in the top tier of his class. During law school, he earned the highest grade in his federal and Virginia civil procedure courses, as well as his legal research and writing course. Charles was active in trial competitions and was noted for persuasive writing abilities.  

Prior to joining Smith Strong PLC, Charles worked at a highly regarded Richmond law firm, known for handling complex litigation and administrative law matters. 

Charles enjoys a reputation for being steady, prepared, with a professional style of communication with his clients, who remark how "smooth" Charles makes the legal process seem.

Charles meets with clients each day on divorce, custody, support, criminal defense, and estate/fiduciary litigation matters. He appear each week in the circuit and juvenile & domestic relations courts of counties in a 1.5 hour radius around Richmond, Virginia, including:

• Henrico,
• Chesterfield,
• Hanover,
• Caroline,
• Goochland,
• Powhatan,
• Amelia,
• Buckingham,
• New Kent,
• Louisa,
• Charles City,
• Dinwiddie,
• Prince George,
• Essex,
• King William,
• King & Queen,
• Williamsburg,
• James City County,
• York County, and
• City of Richmond, among others.

While Charles enjoys practicing throughout metropolitan Richmond and central Virginia, he lives in western Goochland, Virginia, with his fiancée, Jordan, and their two dogs, Merle and Loretta. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, golfing, and hiking, waking up at 4:30AM everyday to workout, a habit encouraged by Jordan, who serves as a teacher in a nearby school district.

Charles is licensed to practice law in Virginia and is a member of the Virginia State Bar. 

Charles provides a comprehensive range of family law services from advice and counseling on the most sophisticated and complex business and legal issues to negotiating agreements, mediating disputes, and litigation involving:

• Premarital, postnuptial and marital settlement agreements;

• Divorce;

• Child custody and support;

• Spousal support;

• Property distribution;

• Business succession;

• Integrated solutions for wealth management and preservation;

• Civil litigation;

• Military Divorce;

• Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney Disputes, and Estate Litigation.