An Estate Planning Blog for Middle Tennesseans

You care so well for others, but what about you? Have you prepared for your own care? Working together, we can craft the best possible estate planning prescription that will protect you today, tomorrow, and well into the future.

When your child turns 18, the law views them as an adult, and you no longer have the ability to control what and how decisions are made, or even receive relevant information about those decisions. But what if you have a child who is disabled? That child may need help making financial or medical decisions. What will happen to them? How can you continue to care for them if needed?

Though preparations for holiday festivities and the new year may look a little different this December, the value of taking stock of your estate plan and finances before the end of the year has not changed. Before you launch into the new year, here are some things we recommend adding to your year-end checklist...

It is the time of year to slow down, get caught up with loved ones, enjoy the family, and experience quality time together. It might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it is a great idea to take this opportunity to review your estate plan and talk about the topic with your loved ones.

There’s an entire category of your legacy that is commonly overlooked and worth considering – your digital assets. Don’t worry if you didn’t factor in these assets when you made your will or trust. It’s surprisingly common and, luckily, easy to correct.

You've probably focused on the fact that, on the cusp of graduating from high school, your child is almost an adult now—meaning that she is going to spread her wings. But what is essential to remember: At 18, a college student may still want her mom and dad by her side if she gets sick, but legally, decisions for medical care are no longer yours to make.

You can alleviate the stress of caregiving by checking if your aging parents or adult children have legally valid and up-to-date estate planning documents in place, and if they do not, encouraging them to have these important documents prepared...

Myth 1:  My spouse can make all of my healthcare and financial decisions because he/she is my spouse. Reality:  This is not always the case.  To make sure your spouse can indeed make important decisions on your behalf, you should sign a financial and health care power of attorney and an advance ...

In 2008, Congress recognized the need for the public to understand the importance and benefits of estate planning by passing House Resolution 1499, which designated the third week of October as National Estate Planning Awareness Week. An estate plan can provide significant peace of mind by ensuring your assets are protected, plans are in place in the event you become ill, and your property is passed down according to your wishes.

It is a common misconception that financial management and estate planning are reserved for the fabulously wealthy, folks like the Earl of Grantham and Lady Mary of the popular television drama, Downton Abbey. Regardless of how much you have in the bank, though, you and your family can benefit from planning ahead for the future.