Estate Planning Attorneys Franklin, TN

What Estate Planning Actually Involves

Estate planning is the legal process of deciding what happens to your assets, your healthcare, and your dependents when you’re no longer able to make those decisions yourself. It allows you to make sure your final wishes are documented clearly enough that the people you trust can carry them out without confusion or conflict.

Wills and What They Cover

A will is the foundation of most estate plans. It tells the court how you want your assets distributed, names a personal representative to manage your estate, and, critically, allows you to designate a guardian for minor children. Without one, Tennessee law determines those outcomes for you.

Trusts and How They Work Differently

A trust is a legal arrangement where a trustee holds and manages assets on behalf of your beneficiaries. Trusts can serve a variety of purposes, including protecting assets, planning for incapacity, or providing for a beneficiary with specific needs. One of the most common types is a revocable living trust, which is often used to keep assets out of probate and allow for a more private and efficient transfer after death.

Powers of Attorney and Living Wills

A durable power of attorney authorizes someone you choose to handle financial and legal matters if you become incapacitated. A healthcare power of attorney serves a different purpose: it names the person who can make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. A living will does not appoint anyone. Instead, it records your own wishes about medical treatment, particularly end-of-life care, so your healthcare agent, family, and providers have clear guidance. These documents are just as important as asset-related planning because they address what happens while you’re still alive.

Core Services Our Estate Planning Attorneys Offer in Franklin

Our practice covers the full range of estate planning services. Below is a summary of what we handle and how each piece fits into a complete plan.

Drafting Wills, Trusts, and Foundational Documents

Whether you need a straightforward will in Franklin or a more detailed trust arrangement, we help you put the right documents in place for your circumstances. These form the core of nearly every plan we build. We also provide assistance to clients to revisit existing documents when life changes such as marriage, divorce, new children, or significant asset changes make an update necessary.

Elder Law

Our elder law services address the legal and financial issues that often arise with aging, including long-term care planning, Medicaid planning, incapacity planning, and related estate planning concerns.

Asset Protection

Asset protection planning is useful for those who have significant assets and want to reduce exposure to future creditors, lawsuits, and unnecessary taxes.

Estate Tax Planning

Tennessee no longer has a state estate tax, but federal estate tax may still affect larger estates. For clients with significant assets, estate tax planning can help reduce potential tax exposure and preserve more wealth for future generations.

Probate and Estate Administration

When a loved one passes away, we help executors, administrators, and families navigate the probate and estate administration process. This can include opening the estate, addressing creditor claims, managing estate assets, carrying out the terms of the will, and completing the legal steps required to distribute property and close the estate.