Estate Planning

Planning an inheritance is one way to provide for loved ones and help to support their future. However, deciding what to leave behind can become more complicated when a beneficiary has difficulty managing money. However, it is not always easy to decide how that money...

When you pass away, you will ideally have an estate plan in place that gives instructions to your family. But you do need to choose an estate executor or an estate administrator, who will actually carry out those instructions in accordance with your plan. This person...

Many of the tangible assets that you own could have sentimental value to members of your family, especially to your children. Examples could include inexpensive jewelry, instruments, book collections, home furnishings or artwork. People often have a nostalgic...

Parents often worry about passing their wealth to young or financially inexperienced heirs. An incentive trust (aka conditional trust) allows you, the grantor, to place specific conditions on inheritance distributions to encourage positive life choices.  This planning...

Unmarried couples in Tennessee can face unique challenges when planning for the future. State law does not provide automatic inheritance rights for partners who are not married.  Strong documentation is essential because state inheritance rules favor biological...

Blended families have become increasingly common, as 40% of American families with children are blended. These family dynamics bring together spouses, children, stepchildren and sometimes grandchildren from previous relationships. For these families, estate planning...

A Tennessee estate plan can fail to meet your current needs if it is not reviewed on a regular basis. Many families face planning gaps that can create confusion later without timely evaluations. A periodic review helps confirm that your plan still reflects your goals...

A revocable living trust only works as intended when assets are properly transferred into it. Many Tennessee residents create a trust but fail to include some of their most important assets. This oversight can lead to probate and delays that the trust was designed to...

A revocable living trust is a powerful estate planning tool. It helps a person protect their resources and structure the legacy they intend to leave after they pass. The grantor who establishes a revocable living trust often serves as the initial trustee. They manage...

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...