Parents of a minor child should name a guardian when they do their estate planning. This way, if they become incapacitated or die before the child becomes an adult, the guardian can take over parental responsibilities. A guardian has the legal authority to make...
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Year: 2026
What should every new parent in Tennessee include in a Will?
Holding your new baby for the first time brings an overwhelming sense of joy and an instinct to protect them at all costs. Estate planning might feel like a distant priority right now, but in Tennessee, a will is one of the most meaningful things you can do as a new...
Can a TIST protect your child’s inheritance from creditors?
Parents of adult children whom they plan to bequeath considerable assets are often concerned that those assets will only go to pay off their child’s debts. There are trusts available that can help shield assets from creditors. However, they don’t always guarantee that...
Is a notary necessary when signing a Tennessee will?
Drafting a valid will can give a testator peace of mind. They can feel confident about the care of their minor children and the distribution of their property after they die. The person drafting the will must be an adult who is of sound mind. They must make estate...
The main risk of using unequal bequests in an estate plan
Your estate plan does not need to divide your assets equally. You are fully free to use unequal bequests if you believe that is the correct course of action. If you have two children, for example, it is up to you if you want to give them both 50% of your assets or if...
3 times to update your estate plan
One of the most common mistakes people make with estate planning is failing to update the plan. People will create a plan when they are relatively young, being proactive about planning for their future. However, they will then neglect that plan for decades. When they...
Can you disinherit your spouse from your will in Tennessee?
You might think leaving your spouse next to nothing in your will effectively disinherits them, but Tennessee law often prevents this outcome. While you can write a will that excludes a partner, the state provides legal safeguards to ensure they receive a portion of...
Can you use a trust to delay the distribution of an inheritance?
In some cases, those who are developing an estate plan are worried about what would happen if they passed away relatively soon after putting that plan in place. Some of the beneficiaries that they have selected may still be children or teens. While they do want to...
Do family members make good estate executors?
One of the key things you need when choosing someone to be the executor of your estate is complete trust in them. There is too much at stake to select someone you do not wholly trust to act correctly and honestly. It’s no surprise, therefore, that many people turn to...
Do the Tennessee probate courts uphold no-contest clauses?
Testators creating estate plans frequently worry about conflict after they die. Parents may worry about their children fighting over their property. Testators might even anticipate a particular family member contesting their will due to family conflict or a personal...
