You’ve worked hard to create your legacy.
Everything you’ve built represents hard decisions, personal sacrifice, and core memories. It’s critical that you protect the results of your hard work.
That’s where Tennessee estate planning from Connell Law, PLLC comes in.
We are here to support you through building, protecting, and passing on your legacy. We work with you every step of the way to create personalized estate plans that guard your assets and beneficiaries. Before becoming incapacitated or passing away, we have a choice: leave behind a mess for our loved ones, or plan ahead of time.
Connell Law, PLLC helps to provide you and your Beneficiaries certainty during difficult times. We keep your values and budget at the forefront because we want to give you peace of mind knowing your legacy is in your hands. Our mission is to give life to your legacy.
Who Needs an Estate Plan in Tennessee?
Contrary to popular belief, an estate plan does not just involve a Will or a Trust. And it’s not something that only the wealthiest people need to do. If you are an adult with even just a few assets, or if you have minor children, it is important to have your bases covered.
Estate plans are for everyone who owns property, whether real estate, tangible personal property, and other types of property interests. Even if you don’t have a “large estate,” it is important to plan for situations where you may be unable to make decisions for yourself, and someone else must make decisions for you.
By having a comprehensive plan in place, you ensure that your wishes will be honored. That means having a conversation with a professional estate planner to put together what you need.
Probate & Trust Administration
In addition to establishing estate plans, Connell Law, PLLC also assists our clients with navigating Tennessee’s probate process, as well as administering Tennessee trusts.
After a loved one passes away, a person’s estate may have to go through probate. This is a formal, court-overseen process to handle debts, final expenses, and distribute assets to the deceased person’s Beneficiaries.
Probate generally occurs in the county where the person resided at the time of his or her death. But if there is real property in another state, ancillary probate may be necessary there as well. If person had a Will, there is generally an Executor named to handle the estate. If the person did not have a Will, the representative is called an Administrator.
Connell Law, PLLC provides assistance with the probate process. We can assist with preparing petitions for probate, making appearances in court, and filing necessary documentation with the court on your behalf. If there is a dispute, we will also assist in defense of the estate in order to ensure the security of all Beneficiaries’ interests.
We also assist Trustees with carrying out the terms of a Trust. While probate is public, administering a Trust is private. But there is still work to be done to gather assets, notify Beneficiaries, and properly distribute the Trust’s assets as instructed.
For assistance with handling a loved one’s affairs, reach out to us for a free consultation.
Small Business Legal Matters
Connell Law, PLLC is also pleased to work with our clients on small business legal matters. We love working with burgeoning entrepreneurs and helping them grow into a strong enterprise.
Running a business is a lot of work. Not just with managing your customer base and employees, but also navigating the legal landscape to stay compliant. We take that off your plate so that you can focus on what makes your business profitable.
We can assist your business formation and internal governance, contracts, and general legal advising. Our fractional general counsel service helps small business owners have a trusted resource they can always go to for help when needed.
Other Legal Matters
Additional types of matters in related practice areas, such as real estate and civil litigation, are taken on a case-by-case basis. Please call our office to determine if we can assist if your matter is not specifically addressed on our website. We primarily serve clients located in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, but we can also work with clients in other parts of Tennessee.
Services
Last Will & Testament
Pass your legacy through probate and direct the courts on how you want to bless your loved ones. This is also where to name guardians for minor children.
Living Trusts
Name a Trustee to act on your behalf if you become incapacitated and to pass on your legacy without needing to go through probate.
Power of Attorney
Authorize a third-party to act on your behalf if you are incapacitated. These documents cover financial and healthcare decisions.
Small Business
Build a strong foundation for your business with proper formation, bylaws and operating agreements, asset titling, business licensure, contracts, and consulting.
Contract Drafting, Review, & Updating
Ensure that your business’s contracts are clear and accomplish your objectives. If you are in negotiations with another business, ensure that the terms are not too one-sided.
Living Wills
This document expresses your desires regarding end-of-life care, including DNR orders, artificial nutrition, and organ donation.
Probate
After a loved one passes away, he or she may have left behind assets that need to be transferred by the court-overseen process known as probate.
Trust Administration
If a loved one had a Trust in place, upon death the Successor Trustee needs to carry out the terms of the Trust as instructed. Proper legal guidance ensures the Trustee handles this delicate position as the law requires.
Questions?
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