One of the only consistent aspects of life is that it is unknown and constantly changing. It can feel overwhelming to try preparing for every unexpected shift, leaving you feeling increasingly stressed while having depleted resources. Fortunately, you do not need to handle this stress alone. A skilled Forest Hills, TN, estate planning lawyer can help you strategize and develop a plan that factors in the future of your health and your estate.
As helpful as hiring a Forest Hills, Tennessee, estate planning lawyer can be, you may also benefit from learning a bit more about how estate planning works in the Volunteer State, as well as how choosing the right lawyer can help you reduce confusion and your overall stress.
Before you learn about estate planning, it is important to understand the key differences between several adjacent types of law. It is common for people to use terms such as “estate administration,” “probate,” and “estate planning” interchangeably. While they may sound similar, they are actually all different aspects of an in-depth estate preparation process.
To avoid further confusion, here is a quick explanation of what each type of law involves:
Estate administration is the process by which the administrative side of estate management is carried out by following the recently deceased individual’s estate plan. This often requires the estate administration lawyer to sort out any additional probate procedures, as well as handle the added responsibility of managing the estate’s different administrative needs, such as settling debts and sorting out financial agreements.
After a person has passed away, they almost always leave behind property, debts, assets, and more that need to be properly sorted out. This is when the probate process begins, usually involving the legal distribution and management of the deceased’s estate as detailed in their will. If there is no will, Tennessee state law will determine how assets should be distributed and debts should be repaid.
Only 32% of Americans have produced and finalized a will, and while the probate process can still be carried out without one, not having a will can lead to otherwise avoidable complications, therefore creating a more demanding and time-consuming probate process for those left behind.
Regardless of your age, it is always a wise idea to draft a will. You can even modify it should you choose to. The will drafting process can be completed with the guidance of an estate planning lawyer.
Estate planning occurs when people formulate and finalize a plan for their future, addressing things like creating a will, stating their preferred funeral arrangements, and healthcare-related wishes. It can play a vital part in preparing you for not only the future but also the unknown.
An estate planning lawyer can guide you through this part of estate management by helping you make the necessary decisions for your estate, as well as how you want your final wishes to be carried out in Forest Hills, TN.
There are many reasons you may decide to hire an estate planning lawyer, including the following:
The team at Emmack Probate and Estate Law Group offers ongoing membership opportunities to our clients, covering the various estate and probate needs you may have. This means that you can get the help you need to make changes to your documents, plans, and desired outcomes while receiving our insight and guidance. Talk to attorney Shanone Emmack today to share your case details.
Many individuals have found that securing an estate planning lawyer can prove to be incredibly helpful in the state of Forest Hills, TN. Your lawyer can help you cut back on confusion, as well as help you avoid unwanted disputes. According to one study, roughly 35% of adults in the United States know someone who has faced familial disputes directly related to a lack of estate planning or have even experienced it themselves.
While these two terms are often thrown about interchangeably, they are actually quite different. Yes, they both belong to the overall estate management process, but while estate planning occurs during your lifetime, the probate process will be carried out posthumously.
Having an estate planning lawyer on hand can mean fewer complications for your future, including the probate process. This can protect your loved ones from pointless confusion, disagreements, and stress, as well as give you current peace of mind.
Tennessee estate planning lawyers can help you create a legal plan for both your healthcare and estate to ensure that your wishes are carried out correctly after your death or during incapacity. This process tends to include drafting documents, such as trusts, wills, durable powers of attorney, and living wills, to care for your children, manage your property, plan for business succession, avoid probate, minimize taxes, and protect your beneficiaries from complex disputes and unnecessary costs.
Each estate planning case is unique, which means that, in Tennessee, the cost of an estate planning lawyer tends to vary case by case. Oftentimes, the most influential elements of a case that factor into an overall price include the amount of time your case requires to be finalized, how often you need to make adjustments to your legal documents, who you hire to represent you, and the level of complexity your case presents.
Contact Emmack Probate and Estate Law Group today, and let us guide you through your estate planning experience.
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