Estate Planning Attorneys in Chattanooga, Tennessee TN Lawyers

At Purple Law Firm we can answer these questions for you.  Attorney Jim Purple has been practicing Estate Planning law since 1983, and has personal experience with the advantages of effective estate planning, i.e. a Revocable Living Trust.

Most people are familiar with a Last Will and Testament, often called simply a “Will”, but does a Will do what you want, effectively and cost efficiently?

A Last Will and Testament is a legal document which expresses your wishes and desires as to how you want your property (real estate, bank accounts, investments, and personal effects) to be distributed after death.  In other words, who do you want to have what after your death.  Typically a Will must be administered under the supervision of the Probate Court and can be quite costly. Additionally, in some circumstances your desires and wishes may be overruled by the Court. 

Purple Law Firm
Complete Estate Planning

 An estate plan is not truly complete unless it deals with those very important and personal issues regarding advanced health care planning. 
Who would you want to make health care decisions for you in the event that you are unconscious or otherwise unable to communicate with the health care professionals?  You choose your heath care agent and attorney-in-fact for health care, and Purple Law Firm will make sure your choices are honored in a Durable General Power of Attorney for Health Care.  In the event that you are faced with the ultimate decision: you are in a terminal condition, or permanently unconscious, with little or no hope for survival with any quality of life; does your family know your wishes? 
Do you have a Living Will?  At Purple Law Firm our lawyers ensure that your decisions regarding the use of life support will be enforceable even if you can not communicate with your health care providers, through a Tennessee Living Will Declaration.  

What is a Durable General Power of Attorney?

A Durable General Power of Attorney is perhaps the most powerful legal document that can be written. When you execute a power of attorney you appoint another person (or entity) to act on your behalf in any way that you yourself can act. Unless limitations are placed upon the attorney-in-fact, this person could buy, sell, mortgage any property that you own. An attorney-in-fact has the legal authority to perform any function that you can perform. This is why you should never execute a durable general power of attorney without first seeking legal advice and counsel from an attorney at law. The term general implies that there are no restrictions or limitations placed upon your appointed attorney-in-fact. The term durable indicates that the power of attorney remains effective and survives a disability including incompetence. However, a durable general power of attorney does not survive your death. Under Tennessee law any power of attorney is extinguished at the instance of death.