Estate planning is crucial to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death. However, even with a will in place, probate courts in Tennessee have the power to challenge the validity of that will. Grounds for challenging a will in Tennessee In Tennessee,...
Your first 30 days as a personal representative in Tennessee
Losing a loved one is probably one of the toughest moments in a person’s life. When you are also named as their personal representative, it can feel like an overwhelming responsibility. If you are facing this situation, take a deep breath. Here is a simple guide to...
How can prenuptial agreements affect the probate process?
Most people know that a prenuptial agreement (or prenup) protects assets during marriage and divorce. However, this legal contract also plays a crucial role after a person’s death. When someone passes away, their estate goes through probate – the court process of...
How do I manage a loved one’s estate in Tennessee?
When someone passes away, their estate would typically go through probate. This legal process ensures the settlement of their affairs and that their assets will reach the designated beneficiaries. At the heart of this process is the executor, a crucial figure...
Why should you set up a revocable living trust?
Imagine a future where you can protect your hard-earned assets and your family avoids the stress and delays of probate court. Establishing a revocable living trust can make this vision a reality. Whether you're planning for retirement or thinking about your family's...
Can you protect your children’s inheritance from risks?
Safeguarding your children's future is more than just passing down assets. It is about ensuring those assets remain safe and beneficial for your children in the long run. Unfortunately, there are several risks that can threaten your children's inheritance if you fail...
Facing debts during estate administration
Discovering an outstanding debt during estate administration can be frustrating. As an appointed representative, you must navigate the complexities of settling these debts while managing the emotional toll of losing a loved one. Paying off debts: Steps and outcomes...
Why inventory and appraisal matter in estate administration
When you lose a loved one, you and your family would typically face profound challenges that extend far beyond coping with grief and loss. You must also navigate the legal complexities of administering the estate they leave behind. This legal process involves a...
How do you prepare for probate in Tennessee?
When a loved one passes away, their family often faces a critical legal process known as probate. This procedure involves settling the deceased person's debts and distributing their assets according to their will or state law. If you are the designated executor or...
Why does probate take so long?
As you begin planning your estate, you might hear legal professionals advising you to bypass the legal process called probate at all costs. During this process, a court takes over the distribution of a person’s assets when they pass away. From validating the will to...