Every family deserves a plan. I help individuals, couples, and entrepreneurs in Tennessee create comprehensive estate plans that reflect their values and protect their loved ones.
Whether you need a basic will or a complex trust structure, I'll craft a plan that fits your unique situation.
A last will and testament is the foundation of any estate plan — it names your beneficiaries, designates guardians for minor children, and directs how your assets are distributed. Without one, the state of Tennessee decides for you.
A revocable living trust goes further: it allows your estate to pass to your loved ones privately, without going through probate court. It can also protect your assets if you become incapacitated and provide greater control over when and how your heirs receive their inheritance.
If you own a business, your personal and professional assets are deeply intertwined. What happens to your company if something happens to you? Who takes over? How are your employees, partners, and family protected?
I specialize in helping Tennessee entrepreneurs build estate plans that account for their business interests — so your legacy and your livelihood are both protected.
A power of attorney (POA) designates someone you trust to manage your affairs when you can't. Without one, your family may have to go through a costly court process to gain the legal authority to act on your behalf — even in an emergency.
A healthcare directive (also called a living will or advance directive) ensures your medical wishes are honored if you're ever unable to communicate them. It also designates a healthcare agent who can make decisions on your behalf. These documents spare your family from having to make impossible decisions during the worst moments of their lives.
Planning for a loved one with special needs requires extra care. A standard inheritance could inadvertently disqualify them from government benefits like Medicaid or SSI. A Special Needs Trust allows you to provide for your loved one's quality of life without affecting their eligibility for essential programs.
Yes. An estate plan isn't just about money — it's about deciding who raises your children, who manages your finances if you're incapacitated, and what medical care you receive. Even a modest estate benefits enormously from having these decisions made in advance.
A will takes effect after you die and must go through probate court. A living trust avoids probate entirely, keeps your estate private, and can also manage your assets if you become incapacitated while you're still alive. Many clients benefit from having both.
Review your estate plan after any major life event: marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, a significant change in assets, a move to a new state, or the death of a named beneficiary or executor. As a general rule, review it every 3–5 years regardless.
Your estate passes according to Tennessee's intestacy laws — the state decides who gets what. Your assets might not go to the people you would have chosen. Your minor children's guardian is decided by the court. Named guardians, specific bequests, and charitable gifts all become impossible without a will.
For most individuals and couples, the process takes 2–4 weeks from initial consultation to signing your documents. More complex plans — those involving business interests, blended families, or special needs trusts — may take longer. I'll give you a realistic timeline after our first conversation.