None of us can predict the future, but we can plan in advance for certain possibilities. Our experienced advance planning attorneys can work with you to gain an understanding of your greatest concerns, and counsel you on the best strategies and legal tools to address them. We handle all of the following advance planning matters and more:
- Advance directives
- Wills
- Guardianships
- Conservatorships
Through proper planning, you can avoid having to make difficult decisions during times of crisis, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have a plan in place for the future.
Tennessee Advance Directives
Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to convey, in advance, how you want to be cared for in an end-of-life situation. They enable you to inform loved ones, friends and medical professionals about your wishes, and help avoid stress and confusion among family members in a healthcare emergency. Two examples of advance directives are the Living Will and the Durable Power of Attorney for medical purposes.
A Living Will expresses your feelings about various steps you would like to be taken on your behalf to keep you alive. Some of the more common issues addressed in Living Wills include:
- Tube feeding
- Resuscitation if breathing or heartbeat stops
- The use of dialysis, breathing and other machines
These are not easy issues to think about in advance, but formalizing them in legal documents is one of the most important decisions you can make. It will spare your loved ones from having to make painful decisions without knowing what you would have wanted, and ensure your wishes are carried out. Our Tennessee advance directives lawyers can work with you to fully understand your wishes and concerns, and create the documents to make sure they are addressed.
Tennessee Wills
If you die without a Will, the state of Tennessee will control how your assets are distributed. Of course, the state, and the IRS for that matter, are not interested in minimizing taxes, ensuring your wishes are carried out, or helping you achieve other goals with regard to the distribution of your hard-earned wealth. We are. Our attorneys can design a Will that can allow you to give what you want, when you want, to whom you want, in the manner you want. In short, you, not the state, will control your assets after you are gone.
Tennessee Guardianship
Simply put, guardianships are a way to obtain legal custody of or decision-making authority over another person. In Tennessee, the term guardianship refers to situations involving minors (people under the age of 18).
You should know that this type of custody does not terminate the parent-child relationship like an adoption would, and you don’t have to be labeled an unfit parent by the courts to obtain one. Guardianships are used for a number of different reasons, but in the case of advance planning, it is a way for you to ensure your child or children will be cared for by someone you trust—rather than letting the state decide in a crisis situation. Our Tennessee guardianship attorneys can work with you to determine the ideal person to name as guardian, and handle all the paperwork for you to ensure your desires are carried out.
Tennessee Conservatorship
Conservatorships in Tennessee are similar to guardianships, but they are established for adults. A conservator of the person may be appointed when an individual is incapacitated and needs someone to make housing, healthcare and other critical decisions for them. Likewise, a conservator of the estate may be appointed to manage and protect assets for the physically or mentally incapacitated person. Generally, the same representative is appointed for both responsibilities, but this is not required.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you in the area of advance planning. We have helped numerous families plan for the future and avoid having to make tough decisions during times of crisis. We welcome the opportunity to do the same for you.
