Wills & Estates

Akiah Highsmith talks with Daytime Tri-Cities about the importance of estate planning and wills. Watch the interview

Probate is a legal process that takes place after a person dies. It is a court-supervised proceeding that authenticates the decedent’s will, and approves the named executor so he or she can distribute property and belongings. Anyone involved with an estate should understand the basics about probate in Tennessee. Probate is a requirement for estates in Tennessee. This is the…

Estate planning & intestacy laws Estate planning is a necessary step to ensuring your loved ones are protected after you die. Estate planning affects everyone, since it involves planning for our eventual demise. There are laws that govern the process by which we declare how we would like our possessions to be distributed after our death, as well as our…

A conservatorship or adult guardianship is the legal process in which an individual, following the filing of a Petition,  is selected by a Court to handle the affairs of another individual who has become incapacitated or disabled. In the state of Tennessee, this person is referred to as a conservator, and the incapacitated or disabled individual is referred to as…

Probate is the official way an estate gets settled, which may be required after a person dies. Probate gives someone, typically the surviving spouse or child, the legal authority to gather the deceased person’s belongings, pay debts and taxes, and transfer assets to those who have inherited them. Probate typically takes 6 months to a year, depending on whether or…

Planning a will can be a daunting task, and there are many things to consider when beginning preparations. This process can become burdensome if you do not know which steps to take. To alleviate any potential anxieties, a checklist is oftentimes beneficial to ensure all categories are covered. Experts say that every individual should have an estate plan, of which…

End-of-life planning isn’t something most people enjoy thinking about, but it is so critical. A new survey from Caring.com shows that only 42% of U.S. adults currently have a will or living trust, and that figure is even lower – 36% – for those with children under the age of 18. The most common excuse for not having a will…