Estate Planning and Probate Attorneys in Franklin, TN
Looking for an experienced estate lawyer or probate attorney in Franklin, Tennessee? Crow Estate Planning and Probate is a law firm that focuses entirely on estate planning, probate, and related legal services. We serve individuals, families, and business owners throughout Williamson County, Maury County, and the greater Middle Tennessee region, helping them protect their assets, provide for their children, and build a plan for the future with confidence.
We understand that thinking about what happens after you are gone is not easy. But having an estate plan in place is one of the most meaningful things you can do for the people who depend on you. Whether you are working with an estate planning attorney for the first time, updating your plan after a divorce or other major life change, or navigating the probate process after a loved one has died, our team is ready to guide you through every step.
Our Franklin office is located at 321 Billingsly Court, Suite 20, Franklin, TN 37067. We are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, and we offer in-person, phone, and video appointments to fit your schedule. We provide a free consultation for all new clients, no commitment required. Call or reach out online to get started.
What Is Estate Planning and Why Does It Matter?
Estate planning is the process of deciding how your assets will be managed, protected, and distributed if you die or become unable to make decisions on your own. A well-built estate plan protects your family, directs your wealth to the right people, reduces the burden on your loved ones, and ensures your final wishes are carried out exactly as you intended.
Many people assume estate planning is only for the elderly or those with significant wealth. That is simply not the case. If you have children, a home, a business, retirement savings, or anyone who depends on you financially, you need an estate plan. Life does not stand still. Marriage, divorce, the birth of children, new business ownership, a shift in your finances, or the death of someone named in your documents are all signs that it is time to create or update your plan. A knowledgeable estate planning attorney will walk you through every option and make sure nothing important gets overlooked.
Without a plan in place, Tennessee law steps in and distributes your estate according to a fixed legal formula that may have nothing to do with your wishes. That process can take months, add unnecessary stress for your family, and result in outcomes you never intended. Beyond the legal process, a well-structured estate plan can also help reduce estate taxes and avoid the kinds of disputes that tear families apart. Working with an experienced estate planning attorney in Franklin, TN gives your family clarity, protects the wealth you have worked hard to build, and helps ensure a more secure future for the people you love.
If you are in Franklin or Williamson County and are unsure where to start, schedule a free consultation with one of our estate planning attorneys.
Estate Planning and Probate Services We Offer in Franklin, TN
Crow Estate Planning and Probate provides a full range of estate planning and probate legal services for individuals, families, and business owners in Franklin Tennessee and the surrounding area. Whether you are creating your first estate plan, updating documents after a major life change, or handling a probate matter after losing a loved one, our team is here. Below is an overview of the services we provide. Each section links to a dedicated page with more detail, or you can call us to discuss your specific situation directly.
Wills
A will is the foundation of any estate plan. It tells the court who should receive your assets when you pass away, who will care for your children, and who you trust to carry out your final wishes. Without a will, Tennessee law makes those decisions for you, and the outcome may look nothing like what you actually wanted.
Our estate planning attorneys help Franklin residents draft clear, legally sound wills that hold up when it matters most. A new will is often needed after major life changes such as a divorce, a remarriage, or the birth of additional children. For business owners, wills are also essential for addressing what happens to your business interests and other assets when you pass away. Our lawyers make sure your estate plan is thorough and built to last.
Learn more about wills in Franklin, TN.
Trusts and Living Trusts
A trust is one of the most versatile estate planning tools and they can be used for a variety of purposes: tax planning, asset protection, and special needs planning just to name a few.
Living trusts, in particular, are one of the most popular and effective tools available for families who want to simplify things for the people they leave behind when they pass away. These types of trusts save time, keep your estate private, and give you more control over how and when your wealth is distributed.
Our knowledgeable attorneys help set up revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts for tax planning and asset protection, and special needs trusts for children or family members with disabilities, each tailored to your specific goals and family situation. Once a trust is in place, trust administration handles the ongoing management and eventual distribution of the trust’s assets. Our lawyers guide families through trust administration carefully, making the entire process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Learn more about trusts in Franklin, TN.
Probate
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling a person’s estate after they die. It involves verifying the will, identifying and valuing assets, paying outstanding debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to the rightful heirs or beneficiaries. Tennessee probate law sets specific rules and deadlines that are easy to get wrong without legal guidance.
Because the probate process can be complicated and drawn out, our probate lawyers help families in Franklin move through probate with as little stress as possible. We use our legal expertise to handle probate administration from beginning to end. We can also represent your interests if estate litigation arises over a will or the distribution of assets.
Learn more about probate in Franklin, TN.
Conservatorships and Guardianships
When a family member becomes unable to make decisions for themselves due to age, illness, or disability, a conservatorship allows a trusted person to step in and manage their care and finances. Our lawyers guide Franklin families through the legal process of establishing these arrangements with care and efficiency.
Learn more about conservatorships in Franklin, TN.
Additionally, when a minor inherits funds, there may be a need to maintain their money through a court established guardianship. The court appoints a family member, typically a parent or grandparent, to manage these assets until the child turns 18 years old. We help guide Franklin clients through guardianships to ensure that the money left to the child is properly managed and their family’s future is secure.
Learn more about guardianships in Franklin, TN.
Powers of Attorney
A power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone you trust the authority to act on your behalf when you are unable to do so yourself. Every estate plan should include two essential types:
- Financial Power of Attorney: Gives a trusted person the authority to manage your finances, pay bills, and handle your assets if you become incapacitated. Without one, your family may need to go to court just to access your accounts or take care of your financial obligations.
- Healthcare Power of Attorney: Authorizes someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you cannot speak for yourself. Paired with a living will, it ensures your wishes are respected no matter the circumstances.
Both documents are critical, and both are frequently overlooked until it is too late. Our lawyers make sure these documents are drafted correctly and actually accomplish what you need them to do.
Learn more about powers of attorney in Franklin, TN.
Elder Law
As you get older, your estate planning needs shift in important ways. Long-term care costs, TennCare and Medicaid planning, estate taxes, and preserving your wealth for the next generation all become more pressing concerns. Our elder law services help older clients in Franklin, TN plan ahead so that a health crisis, nursing home costs, or unexpected expense does not undo years of careful saving and hard work.
We work with clients to structure their assets in ways that may help preserve eligibility for government benefits while still providing for their children and family. Elder law frequently overlaps with estate planning around powers of attorney, healthcare decisions, and trust administration for aging family members.
If your situation has changed or you have not reviewed your estate plan in several years, now is a good time to discuss your current needs with one of our lawyers.
Learn more about elder law in Franklin, TN.
Asset Protection
Asset protection is about making sure the wealth you have built does not get wiped out by creditors, lawsuits, or poor planning. The right legal structure, whether that is a specific type of trust, a business entity, or a combination of tools, can shield your assets and give your family a stronger financial foundation. Asset protection is an essential part of comprehensive estate planning, especially for business owners and anyone with significant property, savings, or other assets worth protecting.
This is not a service reserved for high-net-worth individuals. Anyone with a home, retirement savings, a business, or wealth they want to leave behind can benefit from sitting down and reviewing their options with a knowledgeable estate planning attorney. Our lawyers in Franklin, TN help clients understand what is at risk and what legal tools are available to address those risks.
Learn more about asset protection in Franklin, TN.
Tax Planning and Wealth Transfer
Franklin, TN is home to a lot of high-earning families and business owners, and for many of them, taxes are one of the biggest threats to the wealth they have spent a lifetime building. Smart estate planning is also smart tax planning, and the two go hand in hand.
The federal estate tax currently applies to estates above a certain exemption threshold. Although the recent exemptions are the highest we have had, tax laws do change with the political winds in Washington and it is a prudent idea for wealthy families to keep an eye on changes that may occur in the future.
Since 2016, there is no Tennessee inheritance tax, but federal gift taxes, income taxes, and capital gains considerations can all affect how much of your estate actually reaches your heirs.
We help clients throughout the Franklin area use legal tools like:
We also work with business owners on tax-conscious succession strategies so that the transfer of a company does not come with an unexpected and avoidable tax bill. If protecting and preserving your wealth is a priority, tax planning belongs in your estate plan.
Learn more about estate tax planning in Franklin, TN.
Business Planning and Formation
If you own a business in Franklin, TN, your estate plan needs to account for it. What happens to your business if you retire, become seriously ill, or die? Without a succession plan in place, the answer is often forced sales, family disputes, or a business that simply cannot continue without you.
We help business owners in Franklin build succession plans, structure buy-sell agreements, address business ownership transitions, and protect their business interests within a broader estate plan. We also assist with real estate transactions connected to business operations. Whether you have a small local business or a larger company with multiple stakeholders, our lawyers can help business clients plan for every scenario.
Learn more about business planning and formation in Franklin, TN.
Serving Franklin, Williamson County, and Middle Tennessee
Our Franklin, Tennessee office serves residents and families throughout the surrounding area. Whether you need estate planning for yourself, help settling a loved one’s estate after they die, or legal guidance through the probate process, our attorneys are here for you.
We know this community well, the families who have been here for generations and the newcomers who are putting down roots, and we are proud to serve it. Crow Estate Planning and Probate also has offices in Nashville, Clarksville, and Springfield, making us one of the most accessible estate planning and probate law firms in the region. Wherever you are in Middle Tennessee, there is a good chance one of our estate planning attorneys is nearby.
Our Franklin attorneys practice law with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, and our firm focuses exclusively on estate planning and probate. At our Franklin office, probate clients are guided by attorney Alexandra Hulme, and estate planning clients work with attorneys Thomas Steelman and John Crow, a team that concentrates exclusively on crafting estate plans for families.
With offices across Middle Tennessee and more than 400 five-star reviews from clients we’ve helped, we are committed to serving Franklin families with the same level of care and attention we would want for our own.
Why Clients in Franklin, TN Choose Crow Estate Planning and Probate
There is no shortage of law firms in Middle Tennessee. Here is what sets us apart when it comes to estate planning, probate, and the other legal services we provide:
There is no shortage of law firms in Middle Tennessee. Here is what sets us apart when it comes to estate planning, probate, and the other legal services we provide:
- We focus exclusively on estate planning and probate. This is all we do. That focus means our attorneys have deep experience in these areas and stay current on Tennessee law in a way that generalist firms simply cannot.
- We explain things in plain language. Estate planning involves legal concepts that can feel overwhelming. We take the time to walk you through your options clearly so you can make confident, informed decisions for yourself and your family.
- We build every plan around your specific needs. Your estate plan should reflect your actual life, your family, your assets, your children, your business ownership interests, and your goals. We do not work from generic templates.
- We are here as your situation evolves. Marriage, divorce, new children, a move, a new business, a change in your finances, all of these are reasons to revisit your plan. We make it easy for clients to come back and keep their estate planning current.
- We bring real litigation experience to estate planning. Many estate plans fail because they are never tested. Our attorneys regularly handle will contests and estate disputes, so we know where plans break down and how to design them to hold up when it matters most.
- Free consultation for all new clients. Before you commit to anything, we will sit down with you, in person, by phone, or by video, to discuss your estate planning needs and your options at no charge.
- We have 400+ five-star reviews from clients. Families from Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Thompson’s Station, and Columbia trust our legal professionals with their most important decisions, their family’s future, and the legacy they want to leave behind.
Our client testimonials consistently reflect our responsiveness, our ability to explain complex legal topics in terms that actually make sense, and our genuine care for the people we serve. Families across Franklin Tennessee trust our estate planning lawyers because we treat every client like a neighbor, not just a case.
Common Questions About Estate Planning in Franklin, TN
When should I start estate planning?
The best time to start is now, regardless of your age or what you currently own. Life is unpredictable, and having an estate plan protects your family and your assets no matter what happens. If you have recently gotten married, had children, gone through a divorce, started a business, inherited property, or made a significant financial change, those are all strong signals to get started on estate planning or to update what you already have. Our estate planning attorneys in Franklin, TN are here to help at every stage of life.
What is the difference between a will and a revocable living trust?
A will goes through probate, the court-supervised process of distributing your estate after you die. Probate can take many months to complete and be expensive.
A living trust does not go through probate, which means your loved ones can access your assets faster, more privately, and usually at less cost. Once you are gone, your successor trustee handles the distribution of the trust’s assets according to your instructions.
Our estate planning attorneys offer tailored solutions to help you decide which combination best fits your specific needs.
How often should I update my estate plan?
A solid rule of thumb is to review your estate plan every three to five years and whenever something important changes. Major life events such as a marriage, a divorce, the birth or adoption of children or grandchildren, a shift in your finances, new business ownership, a change in your health, or the death of someone named in your legal documents are all good reasons to revisit your plan. An estate plan that served you well five years ago may no longer reflect your current situation or your wishes.
What happens if I die without a will in Tennessee?
Tennessee’s intestacy laws take over and distribute your estate based on a set legal formula that may have nothing to do with what you actually wanted. Your assets could go to people you would not have chosen, your children may not be provided for the way you envisioned, and the probate process will take longer and cost more than it would have with proper estate planning in place. This is one of the most common and entirely preventable estate planning mistakes we see. Drafting wills and putting a solid estate plan together should be a priority for anyone who has not yet done so.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes. We offer a free consultation to all new clients with no commitment and no pressure. It is simply a chance to share what is on your mind, ask questions, and learn what our estate planning attorneys can do for you. Whether your concerns involve wills, trusts, probate, asset protection, real property, or any other estate planning matter, we are happy to discuss them with you. You can schedule your free consultation in person at our Franklin office, by phone, or by video call.
Ready to Get Started? Contact Our Franklin, TN Office
Protecting your family, your children, your assets, and the legacy you are building starts with one conversation. Our dedicated team in Franklin, TN has extensive knowledge in estate matters and is ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you create an estate plan that gives you real peace of mind. Whether you are starting from scratch or need to revisit an existing plan, we are here to help.
Call us at the number below or fill out our contact form online. We typically respond the same business day and will help you schedule a time that works for you.
