Estate planning that makes your wishes easier to understand and carry out.
Estate planning is not only about what happens at the end of life. It can also establish who may act for you, how property should be handled, and what instructions should guide important decisions. A clear plan can reduce uncertainty for the people who may need to act on your behalf.
Stevens Law works with clients on documents and planning strategies suited to their circumstances, and also assists with probate matters when an estate must be addressed after a death.
Estate planning services
Wills
A will can state how property should be distributed, identify the person you want to administer the estate, and address other important instructions. The best drafting choices depend on family structure, assets, existing beneficiary designations, and your goals.
Living trusts
Trusts can be useful in some estate plans, but they are not automatically the right tool for everyone. An attorney can help evaluate whether a trust fits the property involved and the result you are trying to achieve.
Powers of attorney
Power-of-attorney documents can authorize another person to act for you within the scope provided by the document. Careful drafting matters because the authority granted—and when it may be used—should match your intentions.
Premarital agreements
A premarital agreement can clarify expectations concerning property and financial rights before marriage. These agreements should be approached carefully and with enough time for informed review.
Probate and estate matters
Probate can involve identifying estate assets, reviewing testamentary documents, addressing claims and obligations, and distributing property through the appropriate legal process. What is required varies based on the estate, the documents that exist, and how property was titled.
If you are responsible for handling a loved one’s estate, bring the will or other estate-planning documents you have, along with any available information about assets, debts, and property ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a will if my estate is not large?
A will can be useful for estates of many sizes because it can document your wishes and identify who should handle the estate. Whether additional planning tools are appropriate depends on your circumstances.
Does having a will avoid probate?
Not necessarily. Whether property is handled through probate depends on how assets are owned, beneficiary designations, the documents in place, and other facts. An attorney can review the specific estate.
When should estate-planning documents be reviewed?
Major changes in family relationships, property, finances, or your chosen decision-makers are common reasons to review an existing plan. Periodic review can also help identify outdated information.
What should I bring to an estate-planning meeting?
A useful starting point is a list of major assets and debts, existing estate documents, beneficiary designations you know about, and the names of people you may want to serve in key roles.
This page provides general information, not legal advice. Tennessee law and court procedures can change, and the right approach depends on the specific facts of a matter.