Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Knoxville

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Knoxville, Tennessee?

  To report non-emergency cases in Knoxville, contact its Police Department at (865) 215-7450.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Knoxville, Tennessee?

  To obtain a copy of the police report, you can visit the Records Unit of the Knoxville Police Headquarters, located at 800 Howard Baker Jr Ave. You can bring your blueprint accident information card to help expedite the process.

• What are some tips for creating an estate plan in Knoxville?

  It is important to start estate planning early while you are still in good health and able to make decisions. Here are some of the key things to consider: -Designating beneficiaries for your assets: This will ensure that your assets go to the people you want them to go to. -Naming an executor: This is the person who will be responsible for carrying out your wishes as outlined in your estate plan. -Taking inventory of your assets: These include your bank accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, investments, and other valuable items.

• What will happen if you die without an estate plan in Knoxville?

  If you die without an estate plan in Knoxville, your surviving family members will follow the law of intestacy. Under the State of Tennessee rules, when you die without an established plan, your properties will be divided into two groups: probate property and non-probate property. Probate property is distributed according to the Tennessee Intestate Succession Act, while non-probate property is distributed according to the terms of the governing documents, such as a will or trust.

• What documents might be included in an estate plan in Knoxville?

  A well-rounded estate plan typically includes a will, a power of attorney, and advance directives. -Will: This specifies how your assets will be distributed after your death. You can also use a will to name guardians for your minor children and an executor to oversee the distribution of your assets. -Power of attorney: This gives someone else the authority to make financial or legal decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. -Advance directives: These specify your wishes for medical care in the event that you become terminally ill.

• Can you make your family involved when creating an estate plan in Knoxville?

  Yes. It is a good decision if you make your family involved when creating an estate plan in Knoxville. Through this, it can lessen your stress in case you die or become terminally ill. It can also help you decide to whom you will pass your assets and know their specific personalities.

• Why is it important to establish a living trust in Knoxville?

  When planning your estate in Knoxville, it is necessary to establish a living trust to avoid prevent in case of your passing. A living trust indicates what will happen to your property if you are no longer around. It can also save you from avoiding paying taxes. While you are still alive, you can change the trust at any time.

• What does an estate planning attorney do?

  An estate consists of the total assets that form an individual’s net worth, no matter how large or small. Estate planning attorneys use their in-depth knowledge of state and federal laws to help people best manage what will happen with their estates after they die or become incapacitated. Estate planning attorneys can prepare wills, form trusts, reduce estate tax burdens, and decrease or eliminate the need for probate court.

• What are valuable estate planning services an attorney can provide?

  With the many intricacies of assets, taxes, and state and federal laws that can affect a person’s estate, an estate planning lawyer can be a valuable professional asset, no matter how large or small a person’s estate may be. An estate planning attorney can:

  • Create a comprehensive plan to protect a client's legacy, that includes a will, power of attorney, trusts, life insurance, and advanced medical directives
  • Optimize an estate plan as tax laws, life events, assets, and goals change over time
  • Protect a client’s loved ones by preventing assets from entering probate
  • Help clients designate a person to make important health decisions for them if they become incapacitated

  
  

• Can estate planning attorneys help create trusts/wills?

  Estate planning attorneys can create trusts and wills. Through a will, an attorney can help a client designate their estate’s beneficiaries and assign an executor to represent the will in probate court. These attorneys can also create trusts, allowing a client to assign a trustee to oversee the estate, potentially avoiding probate court and holding assets to be distributed over time.

• Is estate planning the same as drafting a will?

  While both estate plans and wills officially document how their owners wish to allocate certain assets after their death, there are key differences. In estate planning, a will is often just one of several documents that form a comprehensive plan. In a will, people must designate a person responsible for executing their will after their death. The will can include guardians for their children when they die and beneficiaries to receive an inheritance of money, property, and other assets.

• What are the steps involved in estate planning?

  To create a thorough and effective estate plan, individuals should follow these steps:

  • Prepare a will that designates an estate executor; indicate who will receive what assets, and assign a trust and guardians for any children. Consider using an attorney if the will is in any way complex.
  • To avoid probate, have an attorney create a revocable living trust.
  • Assign beneficiaries to other assets, such as life insurance policies, retirement plans, and securities.
  • Use an attorney to prepare a living will, name a health care proxy, and create a HIPAA release form.
  • Update the plan every five years.

  
  

• How long does the estate planning process last?

  The length of the process can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the estate, the specific law office, and whether there’s an emergency or urgent need. If you’re using an attorney, you can generally expect it to take one to five weeks. You may be able to speed up the process by immediately providing your attorney with any bank statements or other documents they need.

• What is a trust?

  A trust is an agreement between a grantor, a trustee, and a beneficiary. In this agreement, the grantor allocates funds or real property assets to the trustee to be held either until the grantor passes away or until a specific, agreed-upon date. At that point, it's the responsibility of the trustee to distribute funds or property to the beneficiary or beneficiaries. While there are similarities between a will and a trust, a will is a more comprehensive document that typically requires probate court, while a trust allows assets to pass to the beneficiary without probate.

• How does a trust fund work?

  When opening a trust fund, a grantor allocates a trustee to oversee and manage assets in the account. This trustee can sometimes be a relative, an estate lawyer, or a bank that acts as the legal owner of the trust. While holding assets, the trustee is required to file taxes on trust assets.

• How does a living trust work?

  A living trust enables a grantor to manage their assets through a trustee while still alive. They can continually add funds and/or property to their trust fund by transferring them to the trustee, who accepts ownership of everything held in the fund. The grantor can name a beneficiary for their trust, and their assets will be automatically transferred to that person or establishment upon their death.

• Do I need a lawyer for a will?

  No, a lawyer is not required to draft or complete a will. However, there are some scenarios in which hiring an estate lawyer to assist with a will is a good idea, including when children or high-value assets are involved. Additionally, an estate lawyer can help to reduce probate fees and taxes paid by loved ones after a person dies. It's also best to work with a professional to ensure that the will addresses everything necessary, such as funeral plans, guardianship, and asset distribution.

• Can you have both a will and a living trust?

  Yes, and individuals who have a living trust should also have a will. While a living trust enables a person to leave funds and assets to a loved one when they're gone, a will is required to cover any assets that aren't included in the trust, such as guardianship of dependents, funeral plans, and forgiveness of outstanding debts, if applicable.

• How much does it cost to set up a trust?

  The cost of setting up a trust varies quite a bit depending on a variety of factors, including terms that are in place, special provisions for minor beneficiaries, and trustees' basic fees. In most cases, the minimum cost of setting up a trust is about $1,500, but depending on the factors mentioned above, this cost can increase by thousands of dollars.