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In: Coronavirus Pandemic Lawyer in Chattanooga, Estate Planning : Wills Trusts Estates, Featured Articles

Stay At Home Estate Planning  During this difficult time for all of us, we must adapt and overcome obstacles. The Corona Virus pandemic reminds us of the uncertainty of life. Also the need for preparation ahead of time. Are you prepared? Do you have an estate plan? A Last Will and Testament, a Trust? How about a Living Will – advanced directive? Power of attorney for health care or general power of attorney? The Need for Estate Planning If you answered no to any of the above questions, you need to act. Likewise, if you prepared such documents years ago you need a review forRead More →

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In: Coronavirus Pandemic Lawyer in Chattanooga, Estate Planning : Wills Trusts Estates, Featured Articles

 Corona Virus Pandemic and Estate / Life Planning The corona virus pandemic turned life topsy turvey. Many people find themselves scrambling to put affairs in order. For example, preparing a Last Will and Testament. Or writing a Living Will, an advanced directive regarding life support. Maybe your thinking about that. You ask should I write my own Last Will and Testament?  After all forms are available online for low cost!  Some even say “prepared by our attorneys”. Beware of Pitfalls In a Last Will and Testament  It may seem easy enough. Just need to download a form and fill-in some blanks. Then sign it.  Voila!  You have a Will.  However,Read More →

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In: Estate Planning : Wills Trusts Estates, Family Law Attorneys, Tennessee divorce attorney

Divorce Requires Change in Plans Marriage creates a life plan of its own. You depend on your spouse to make necessary decisions when you can’t. Medical emergencies, life threatening illness, incapacity and death – your spouse was the plan. Divorce changes every aspect of your life. Who makes those decisions now? Who takes care of things when you can’t? Parents, siblings, friend? Divorce requires a change in plans. Estate planning is Life planning! Is Your Spouse in Your Will? Depending on length of marriage and other life circumstances, you may already have prepared a Last Will and Testament, or a Trust. Is your spouse includedRead More →

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In: Estate Planning : Wills Trusts Estates, Featured Articles

Probate is Often Required When a person dies, final affairs must be settled. Property of the deceased person sold or distributed. Debts paid. All of this requires a person with legal authority to act for the estate. Often this requires probate in order to gain control of the estate. In other words you can not sell assets without legal authority. Real Estate Needs Probate In Tennessee real estate automatically passes to the heirs at the instant of death. If the decedent died leaving a Last Will and Testament that gives the property to someone other than all legal heirs probate is required. Even when allRead More →

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In: Estate Planning : Wills Trusts Estates, Legal Terms

Tennessee General Power of Attorney and the Hazards In Tennessee. a Durable General Power of Attorney is a very powerful legal document that appoints a person or persons to act on your behalf in any matter.  The “Attorney-in-Fact” can do anything that you can do, including buy, sell or mortgage property, open or close financial accounts, write checks, etc.  A power of attorney grants awesome authority to the attorney-in-fact and should be used with extreme caution. In a recent estate case which was tried in the Chancery Court of Washington County, Tennessee, the Chancellor stated: [T]his is the worst estate and power of attorney caseRead More →