Estate Planning Guidance for Tennessee Families
January 23, 2026
Estate planning secures your legacy, protects loved ones, and minimizes complications after you're gone. Proper strategies ensure your wishes guide asset distribution, healthcare decisions, and family harmony, while common pitfalls can lead to disputes or unnecessary taxes.
Do: Start Early and Review Regularly
Begin estate planning in your 30s or 40s, regardless of wealth—life changes like marriage, children, or business growth demand updates. Draft a will, designate beneficiaries on accounts, and create powers of attorney for finances and healthcare. Review documents every three to five years or after major events like divorce or inheritance to reflect current realities.
Tennessee residents benefit from clear wills that name executors and guardians, avoiding intestacy where state laws divide assets unpredictably.
Do: Use Trusts for Privacy and Control
Incorporate revocable living trusts to bypass probate, keeping distributions private and faster. Trusts manage assets for minors or beneficiaries with special needs, stipulating conditions like age milestones for payouts. Irrevocable trusts shield estates from taxes or creditors, ideal for Tennessee families with farms, businesses, or substantial savings.
Pair trusts with pour-over wills to capture any overlooked assets seamlessly.
Don't: Overlook Healthcare Directives
Skipping advance directives leaves critical care decisions to courts or relatives, potentially clashing with your values. Execute a living will specifying end-of-life treatments and a healthcare power of attorney naming a trusted proxy. Tennessee's forms ensure doctors honor these without ambiguity during incapacity.
Don't: Ignore Digital Assets and Beneficiaries
Forgotten digital accounts like emails, crypto, social media, create headaches; designate access via letters of instruction or platform tools. Always name or update beneficiaries on life insurance, retirement accounts, and payable-on-death bank accounts, as they override wills and bypass probate.
Do: Equalize Gifts Thoughtfully
Leverage Tennessee's estate tax exemption alongside federal limits to gift assets during life, reducing taxable estates. Use annual exclusions for family without triggering reports, fostering gratitude while shrinking future tax burdens.
Don't: Disinherit Without Explanation
Silent disinheritance sparks lawsuits; instead, include a no-contest clause and brief note affirming deliberate choices. Communicate plans with heirs to curb surprises, preserving relationships amid grief.
Do: Coordinate with Professionals
Work with estate attorneys, financial advisors, and accountants for customized plans compliant with Tennessee law. DIY forms risk invalidity; professionals navigate homestead exemptions, spousal rights, and elective shares unfamiliar to laypeople.
Avoid These Costly Mistakes
Never store originals insecurely - use fireproof safes or attorney vaults, sharing locations with executors. Procrastination tops errors, as 60% of adults lack wills, thrusting families into chaos.
Secure Your Legacy Today
Smart estate planning blends dos like proactive trusts with avoiding don'ts such as beneficiary oversights. Hagar & Phillips tailors Tennessee-compliant plans for peace of mind. Contact us today at 615-784-4588 for a confidential consultation.
