Estate Planning

(901) 387-3000

Professional Guidance on All Aspects of Tennessee Estate Planning

Estate Planning Attorney in Tennessee

Estate planning attorney Phillip R. Walker is committed to working with you through the legal issues encountered in all stages of life.  Whether you are welcoming a new child, ending a marriage, entering marriage with a blended family, preparing for retirement or, for the inevitable end of life, an experienced estate planning attorney like Phillip R. Walker will guide you through the legal aspects of these life transitions with care and attention to you and your family’s unique circumstances. You can turn to our firm for help with estate planning, including Wills, Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorney, Conservatorships and Probate Administration. 

At the law offices of Phillip R. Walker, our attorney and staff take pride in working with our clients to achieve their goals and find peace of mind in knowing they and their loved ones will be prepared and protected when the time comes. We recognize each person’s family and circumstances are unique. We strive to give value to you by working closely with you and your other advisors to create a plan for your estate that works best for you and your family. 

Since 1986, Phillip R. Walker has been working with families just like yours and has become a trusted estate planning attorney to your fellow Bartlett, Lakeland, Arlington and Memphis area residents. We also serve residents of Tipton and Fayette Counties.

Building A Legacy and Preparing For The Future With Estate Planning

Why have an estate plan? Many believe estate planning is a complicated and expensive tax avoidance scheme for the wealthy only. That is a misconception. For most of us, estate planning is merely leaving instructions for the management and distribution of your assets during your lifetime in the event of disability and upon death. It is also planning for healthcare and end of life decisions in the event of illness and disability.  Estate planning is protecting the vulnerable and providing for your loved ones. Estate planning is really life planning.

The tools used in estate planning include Wills, Trusts, Powers of attorney, Advance Directives and Living Wills. 

Estate planning in Tennessee is an important step in preparing for life, no matter what size estate you have. If you own property, if you have a family, if you have preferences for end of life medical care, if you want to give your loved ones comfort and direction at an emotionally devastating time, you should have an estate plan. Through carefully constructed legal documents you can:

  • Make wise choices about how to distribute your property and protect your legacy for future generations.
  • Designate someone to act on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
  • Select a trusted guardian for your children.
  • Outline your wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care.
  • Reduce the tax burden on your estate and your heirs.
  • Prevent probate disputes and avoid probate.
  • Plan for Medicaid eligibility and long-term care options.

An estate planning attorney can help you craft an estate plan that will accomplish your goals and address your needs. If you already have a Will or Trust it is important to periodically review and update your documents, especially if you have gone through a recent life changing event such as the death of a spouse, divorce or the birth of a child.

Sorting Through The Legal Aftermath Of Losing A Loved One

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences we go through in life. The loss of a loved one often comes without warning and is a shock to those left behind. Nothing prepares you for the pain that comes with losing someone.  There are details to sort out. There are immediate decisions to be made about funeral and burial arrangements. There are important documents to locate and secure. There are insurers and financial institutions to notify. Often, your loved ones are left searching for answers to questions they didn’t anticipate at a time of grief and sorrow. You can make the experience less stressful by making some basic decisions in advance. 

While thinking about death is unpleasant, having a well thought out estate plan in place puts you in complete control of your  affairs at the end of life and will provide you the peace of mind of knowing you have done what you can to spare your loved ones the expense, delay and frustration of managing your affairs if you become disabled or when you die. Having an estate plan will not alleviate the pain that your loved ones will experience at your death but, it can provide them a certain level of comfort and peace of mind knowing that your were prepared in advance and left a roadmap to follow. Planning for death or disability is a loving act for your family. 

What if you are responsible for carrying out your loved one’s last wishes or administering an estate? Serving as Executor or Administrator comes with a lot of responsibility and possible liability if you don’t have advice from an experienced attorney. Probate law and procedure can be complicated. Much of the advice you hear from friends or read online is either wrong or not applicable to your circumstances. 

Fortunately, attorney Phillip R. Walker has the knowledge and experience necessary to walk you through the entire process from beginning to end. Often, probate administration can be avoided with the right strategy. Our firm handles all aspects of probate, estate and trust administration. Our Bartlett estate planning attorney can also represent you in court for any estate-related disputes including Will contests, removal of executors and trustees, recovering assets and defending against invalid claims. 

Speak With A Tennessee Estate Planning Attorney

Why should you bother to consult an experienced lawyer about estate planning when Wills and Trust documents can be purchased from the Internet? A fill in the blank form may be easy and cheap, but as the old saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” Forms cannot explain how to structure your accounts to minimize or eliminate the need for probate or, how to protect vulnerable beneficiaries from losing important government benefits or being in taking advantage of and losing their inheritance. We offer advice, counsel and direction based on experience, not a “one size fits all” fill in the blank forms approach. 

Call our office at 901-387-3000 to speak with an estate planning attorney in Bartlett, Tennessee for a free phone consultation to learn more about your estate planning options. You can reach out to us online if that is more convenient for you. We are conveniently located in Bartlett and serve clients in Shelby, Tipton and Fayette counties. 

Whether your estate is significant or modest, our estate planning attorney can help you design an estate plan that fits your circumstances and addresses any of your concerns. A well-thought-out estate plan allows you to preserve your wealth so it will be enjoyed by your heirs. It allows you to direct your medical care and provides your family the peace of mind of knowing that your wishes are being followed. 

If you have questions or would like to begin the estate planning process, call us to learn how we can help you get started!

Call For A Free Phone Consultation To Learn More About Estate Planning In Tennessee

Choosing the right estate planning lawyer in Bartlett to help you design for estate plan can be a daunting task.  Consulting a lawyer at all is something many do not look forward to. For many, estate planning is delayed because of time constraints or not knowing what to expect when you meet with a lawyer. Most lawyers want you to schedule a lengthy meeting and bring in your personal records to review before even learning anything about you. 

Our estate planning attorney Phillip R. Walker takes a different approach. He offers a free phone consultation so you can talk with a lawyer about any estate planning questions or concerns you have. He will discuss your situation, answer your basic questions and discuss your options, in general, before you decide to invest your time and money. You can “kick the tires” and decide if our firm is right for you. 

Our firm is focused on providing you and your family the sensitivity, compassion and privacy that you deserve when you are ready to start planning for your estate. We believe in building a lifetime relationship with our fellow Tennessee neighbors while providing a trusted adviser to both you and your family during any legal matters that may arise. 

Give us a call at 901-387-3000 or, contact us online by completing our form. We are ready to answer your estate planning questions and look forward to discussing with you our unique approach to estate planning.

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