Estate planning helps ensure that your assets undergo distribution according to your wishes when you die. In Tennessee, a basic estate plan includes several key elements that help protect your family, your assets and your interests. When drafting your estate plan, be...
Why you should not wait to create an estate plan
Creating an estate plan is a task that many people put off, either because it feels overwhelming or because they think it is not necessary at their current stage in life. However, having an estate plan is important at any age. It offers you control over your assets...
Misconceptions about estate planning for people without children
When discussing estate planning, the conversation often centers around those with children. However, estate planning is just as important for individuals and couples without children. The misconception that estate planning is less important for those without heirs can...
Strategies you can use to optimize your estate plan
A surprising number of Americans do not have an estate plan in place. Your decision to invest time and resources into creating one could prevent discord and provide continued support even after your death. Certain strategies will fortify your plan and improve its...
What do executors do?
Executors of an estate plan have a very important job - or rather, a series of jobs - to accomplish. To that end, it is important for you to select the right person for the job. But what exactly do executors do, anyway? What do you need to keep in mind when picking...
What do executors actually do?
When planning an estate, it is important to understand the true function of an executor. This better helps you select a good person for the role. But what do executors actually do? They are crucial to an estate plan, but in what way? Leadership duties of executors...
Understanding what powers of attorney can and cannot do
If you are planning to draft your will, you may also be thinking about the benefits of other estate planning documents, such as powers of attorney. Financial and medical powers of attorney (POAs) will help immeasurably if you should become disabled. Here is what these...
Consider the costs of your funeral and how to pay them in advance
While death is an inevitability we must all plan for, the costs of the funeral industry shift with every passing year. Handling those costs ahead of time helps to save your loved ones a lot of hardship when dealing with the heartache of their grieving. When you sit...
Should your estate plan include a living will?
Should you suffer an incapacitating injury or illness, you may not have the ability to make medical decisions for yourself. Therefore, these potentially life-and-death choices will typically fall to your family members. You likely trust your loved ones to make health...
Do you need to tell your family about your estate plan?
When family members ask about your estate plan, you might wonder what to tell them. Some may inquire because they care. Others might only want to press you to know what their inheritance will be like. Monitoring the information you share can protect you and alleviate...
