Despite the importance of estate planning, many people in Tennessee and across the United States either put it off or ignore it entirely. There are myriad reasons for this including the misplaced belief that it is not necessary or there is plenty of time to take that...
Month: July 2020
End-of-year estate planning tips
With 2021 on the horizon, many of us can see brighter skies ahead. This year has been extremely hard on most of us. But, if there is one silver lining to this year is that interest rates are extremely low. In fact, they are at historically low levels. This opens up...
Estate planning and strategies to protect troubled loved ones
When creating an estate plan in Tennessee, the main objective is to ensure that the person who is creating a will or trust – the testator – protects loved ones and distributes the assets to the heirs as he or she sees fit. In many cases, this can be complicated....
Another celebrity dies without an estate plan
It seems like once per year, there is a celebrity death where we all discover that the celebrity never made an estate plan. Then, headlines of family in-fighting ensue. We may now see this with Chadwick Boseman, perhaps, most famous for his portrayal of Marvel’s Black...
Does all my property have to go through probate when I die?
In Tennessee, if you have a will but not a trust or if you die without a will or trust at all, your estate will be probated. However, probate can be a costly and time-consuming process. Many people in the McMinnville area will want to keep their assets out of the...
What is a partition suit?
In the full portfolio of a Tennessee resident’s assets, a family home may be one of the most valuable items of property that they own. Real property carries with it actual and intrinsic value for owners and families. When a homeowner passes away, they may choose to...
Why isn’t the dog run inside our property boundary?
It can be somewhat startling to have lived in a home or owned a tract of land for a number of years and never questioned where the boundaries of the property lay. All bound up in legal paperwork that property owners take home with them after closing are the deed which...
Understanding the role of an estate executor
As you begin the estate planning process, you may come across the term “executor.” Generally, once you pass away, it will be the job of the executor of your estate to make sure your wishes are adhered to when it comes to your estate. You have the option of naming the...
Making sure a will is valid
A will is an important component of an estate plan that is used to distribute the estate planner’s property and assets according to their wishes. During the estate planning process, making sure the will is valid is crucial. Requirements for a valid will Estate planner...
Is it time to review and update your estate plan?
Creating an estate plan is a big decision. It’ll impact you, your loved ones and your finances for many years to come. And for that reason, you shouldn’t hesitate to make changes as necessary. Here are some of the many times in your life when it makes sense to review...