Assisting Knoxville and East Tennessee residents since 2006.
SERVICES
Fiduciary Appointments
A fiduciary is a person or professional who is named in a private agreement or appointed by a court to assume a position of trust or to take on certain responsibilities as an agent for another person (the principal) while they are still living or to manage the principal’s estate administration upon death or a trust inheritance for a loved one. Common fiduciary or agent roles we agree to serve as include attorneys-in-fact (POAs), trustees, personal representative (PR or executor), conservators, guardian ad litem, SSA representative payee, etc.
Conservatorships
A conservator is a person or professional appointed by the court to manage an adult's finances and/or medical and personal decision-making when the adult cannot make these types of decisions themself because of disability. Filing for a conservatorship typically is a last-resort measure. The pros and cons should be considered in advance with the guidance of experienced legal counsel. For instance, family or friends may apply to be appointed, but there are circumstances where appointing a corporate or attorney conservator is prudent to allow family to focus on personal relationships.
Probate | Estate Admin.
After a loved one dies, probate court involvement may or may not be required in Tennessee for effectively administrating an estate. Probate is the process of managing and distributing a deceased individual’s remaining assets, if any, after settling estate expenses and valid debts of the person in a proper manner according to Tennessee law. Legal guidance through the probate court process is highly advisable or mandatory in many counties. Consultation with a probate attorney is prudent before making account notifications or other estate business decisions, even if it appears that formal probate may be bypassed.
Estate Planning
Estate planning includes a review of a person’s assets and debts and estate-related concerns to strategize available options. Planning services also include preparation of legal documents that serve to accomplish the individual’s personal and estate goals in the event of incapacity or death. Over time a person’s planning needs change, so periodic reviews of estate plans are essential. Regardless of family structure or marital status, all adults would benefit from a consultation with an experienced elder law or estate planning attorney.