Belle Meade TN Estate Planning Lawyer

Belle Meade TN Estate Planning Attorney

It can be overwhelming and even somewhat confusing to start preparing your estate to be distributed amongst your loved ones. If you have never even considered estate planning in the past, you may not know what the right course of action is for your own plans. That is why it is so important to have the right kind of legal help throughout this process. If you are creating an estate plan, you should contact an experienced Belle Meade TN estate planning lawyer for help.

Having consistent legal assistance throughout this process is vital. Navigating estate planning laws and understanding other estate planning cases may be instrumental in the development of your own plan. The legal team at Emmack Probate and Estate Law Group can assist you with every aspect of your plan’s development. The help of an experienced Belle Meade estate planning attorney cannot be understated. It is wise to hire an estate planning lawyer for help.

Why Should You Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer?

It is vital to your estate plan’s success that you invite the help of an experienced legal professional who understands every aspect of the estate planning process. Having the right people in your corner can be crucial to an enforceable and comprehensive plan. Shanone Emmack has provided her clients with a focused, customized approach for years. She’s a proud, active member of the Tennessee Bar Association, and she can confidently help you determine what you will need for your plan.

According to recent statistical data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Belle Meade is a little over $250,000 per year as of 2023. Additionally, the approximate population of Belle Meade as of 2025 is only around 2,400 people, according to World Population Review. That means that many people in Belle Meade have substantial estates that may require a sound estate plan. We can help you craft a solid plan.

As you start seriously considering your own mortality by putting together an estate plan that protects your loved ones after your death, it may finally be time to include your family in a painful but necessary conversation about your wishes. It’s understandable to feel nervous or uncomfortable talking about this with your loved ones, but you shouldn’t avoid it forever.

Important Steps in the Estate Planning Process

Everyone’s experience creating a sound estate plan will be different, as everyone’s needs for their family’s future and financial security are unique. No two estate plans are ever the same, but there are frequent factors that will influence most, if not all, estate plans. It’s important to recognize those factors and figure out how they will apply to you, especially if you live in Belle Meade, TN. Here are some of the most important steps in the estate planning process that you should consider:

• First and foremost, it’s important to have clearly defined goals as you speak with a lawyer and start the process of building an estate plan. You don’t want your estate plan to be misunderstood in probate court or by an opportunistic family member. You want your estate plan to be designed in such a way that nobody can interfere with your wishes.
• Make sure you document all of your assets very clearly. Before you can move forward with an estate plan, you have to be clear on which assets are being dealt with in the plan. Before pursuing a plan, you may not know the full scope of your estate. The more documentation you provide, the easier it can be for your loved ones to pay off any existing debts and distribute what’s left to your beneficiaries.
• Finally, you should consider granting someone you trust power of attorney over your estate in the event that you become medically or mentally incapacitated and are no longer capable of making your own decisions regarding your estate or your healthcare. By granting someone power of attorney, you are trusting that person to make those decisions on your behalf.

FAQs

What’s the Difference Between Estate Planning and a Will?

The primary difference between estate planning and a will is that one is a process while the other is a part of that process. The overall process of making financial decisions for your family by crafting a comprehensive plan is estate planning. Drafting a will is a part of that process, as are trusts and power of attorney. The will lists out how to distribute certain assets to the right people.

What Does a Sound Estate Plan Include?

A sound estate plan includes many important elements, all of which have to be considered by you before implementing them. Not every estate plan will include all of these elements, but many of them will. Those factors include:

• A last will and testament
• A living trust
• Someone to be granted the power of attorney
• A list of designated beneficiaries
• Funeral arrangements
• A designated representative to oversee probate

What Is the Most Important Step in the Estate Planning Process?

There’s no definitive way to determine what the most important step in the estate planning process is. The entire process is different for everyone who goes through it. What you may consider vitally important may not even be a consideration in someone else’s estate plan. Generally, the most important step is widely considered to be finalizing the will. You want to make sure that your will is ironclad when the time comes.

What Are the Disadvantages of Estate Planning?

While estate planning offers many advantages to those seeking a way to leave behind a comprehensive plan for their loved ones, the process is not without its disadvantages. To start, the cost can be considerable when you are drafting complex legal entities like trusts. Building an estate plan can be time-consuming, confusing, and overwhelming. Ultimately, safeguarding the future of your estate and the decisions made on your behalf should you become incapacitated is likely worth it.

Contact Us Today

At Emmack Probate and Estate Law Group, we can help you craft a sound estate plan that you can be proud of. Contact us to speak to someone about your case.