Sharon B. Ten
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Overview
Sharon Ten, a founding partner and Vice-President at Bowen Ten Long & Bal, PC, has been practicing law for over 30 years. She focuses her practice on Wills & Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration, Adoptions, Adult Guardianships, and Partition Suits. Virginia Business has recognized her as "Legal Elite." The 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America recently recognized Ms. Ten for her outstanding work in the Trusts, Estates, and Elder Law category.
Known for her extensive legal knowledge and meticulous attention to detail, Sharon takes a transparent, solutions-focused approach to every matter. She is patient and adept at making complex topics clear, helping clients understand their legal documents and options. Sharon values her relationships with her clients because it allows her to help them secure their futures, care for loved ones as they wish, and ease decision-making when the unexpected happens. Sharon earned her law degree from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond.
Sharon's commitment to helping others extends beyond the office. She has provided pro bono estate planning and guardianship services for CancerLINC and has been involved with the Virginia Bar Association, serving on the Domestic Relations Council. She has also served on the boards of Unique Kids, Inc. and Unique 4 Life, Inc., organizations that offer recreational opportunities for children on the autism spectrum.
Outside of work, Sharon stays active with X-Team Fitness and has completed multiple half marathons, along with a full marathon just before turning 50. She also treasures spending time with her large extended family in Connecticut and enjoys regular vacations in the Outer Banks with close friends.
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Accolades
- Best Lawyers in America 2026 edition, Elder Law & Trusts and Estates
- Virginia Business "Legal Elite"
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Admissions & Memberships
Bar Admissions
- Virginia, 1994
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, 2001
- U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia, 2001
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Virginia, 1995
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
Professional Associations
- Virginia State Bar
- Virginia Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Division
- Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association, Former Member
- Chesterfield Bar Association
- Henrico County Bar Association
- Virginia Bar Association, Former Domestic Relations Council Member
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Civic Engagement
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CancerLINC, pro-bono estate planning and adult guardianship work
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Unique 4 Life, Inc., Former Board Member
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Firefighter & EMT, Former Volunteer
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Publications & Presentations
- Virginia Family Law Practice for Paralegals, 05/15/2014, Foxmoor Continuing Education
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Representative Matters
- Calfee v. Calfee, 29 Va App 88, 509 SE2d 552, 1999, VA Court of Appeals
- Byrd v. Byrd, Rec. No. 0687-13-2, 2014, VA Court of Appeals
Sharon Ten, a founding partner and Vice-President at Bowen Ten Long & Bal, PC, has been practicing law for over 30 years. She focuses her practice on Wills & Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration, Adoptions, Adult Guardianships, and Partition Suits. Virginia Business has recognized her as "Legal Elite." The 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America recently recognized Ms. Ten for her outstanding work in the Trusts, Estates, and Elder Law category.
Known for her extensive legal knowledge and meticulous attention to detail, Sharon takes a transparent, solutions-focused approach to every matter. She is patient and adept at making complex topics clear, helping clients understand their legal documents and options. Sharon values her relationships with her clients because it allows her to help them secure their futures, care for loved ones as they wish, and ease decision-making when the unexpected happens. Sharon earned her law degree from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond.
Sharon's commitment to helping others extends beyond the office. She has provided pro bono estate planning and guardianship services for CancerLINC and has been involved with the Virginia Bar Association, serving on the Domestic Relations Council. She has also served on the boards of Unique Kids, Inc. and Unique 4 Life, Inc., organizations that offer recreational opportunities for children on the autism spectrum.
Outside of work, Sharon stays active with X-Team Fitness and has completed multiple half marathons, along with a full marathon just before turning 50. She also treasures spending time with her large extended family in Connecticut and enjoys regular vacations in the Outer Banks with close friends.
- Best Lawyers in America 2026 edition, Elder Law & Trusts and Estates
- Virginia Business "Legal Elite"
- Calfee v. Calfee, 29 Va App 88, 509 SE2d 552, 1999, VA Court of Appeals
- Byrd v. Byrd, Rec. No. 0687-13-2, 2014, VA Court of Appeals
University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
J.D. - 1994
Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut B.
S. - 1991
Honors: summa cum laude
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CancerLINC, pro-bono estate planning and adult guardianship work
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Unique 4 Life, Inc., Former Board Member
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Firefighter & EMT, Former Volunteer
- Virginia Family Law Practice for Paralegals, 05/15/2014, Foxmoor Continuing Education
Bar Admissions
- Virginia, 1994
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, 2001
- U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia, 2001
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Virginia, 1995
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
Professional Associations
- Virginia State Bar
- Virginia Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Division
- Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association, Former Member
- Chesterfield Bar Association
- Henrico County Bar Association
- Virginia Bar Association, Former Domestic Relations Council Member
Practice Areas
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Wills & Estate Planning
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Probate & Estate Administration
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Adoption
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Adult Guardianships
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Partition Suits
Education
University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
J.D. - 1994
Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut B.
S. - 1991
Honors: summa cum laude
Testimonials
— M.L.I recently had Attorney Sharon Ten do my estate planning with me. It was a pleasure to work with her during this process. She is extremely knowledgeable, caring and professional. Her attention to detail is impeccable, and she listens to your needs as she writes the necessary documents. She promptly responds to emails. She takes the time to educate you with flow charts to help you understand a complicated process of estate planning. Her paralegal Megan Karass is very personable. I would highly recommend Sharon Ten and this law firm.
— JB & MBI can't begin to tell you how satisfied MB & I are with your help. You opened our eyes to things we were not aware of. We came away with our minds at ease. I feel very confident that we did everything we needed to do to prepare for our passing away. Once again we thank you for your assistance in this process. I feel now I have a lawyer who I can trust. Thanks again!
— Brian B.I was referred to Sharon Ten for guidance and assistance in developing an Estate Plan by my Financial Advisor. What a perfect and successful referral it turned out to be. Sharon was a delight to work with, pointing out helpful tips and always had my interests as her focus. My goals became her estate planning goals for me. She’s easy to talk with about any topic, friendly, straight forward and most of all, extremely knowledgeable in her area of expertise. She walked me through the process and identified in detail the actions and information necessary for accomplishing my goals and wishes. The resulting Plan including the “Will and Trust” is just what I hoped for. I would and do recommend her to my friends and anyone should you have the need for Estate Planning.
— Former Client, Wayne T"Sharon Ten was recommended as a lawyer who could help secure an appointment for me as my wife's guardian and conservator and also develop an estate plan... I met with Sharon and found her to be exceptionally knowledgeable, very transparent, and quite efficient in addressing my needs. The entire process for guardianship/conservator played out exactly as she predicted, and she was very attentive throughout the process...Sharon left no stone unturned and now I sleep very well at night."