Clarksville Estate Planning & Probate Lawyers

Providing Comprehensive Advice for Your Family’s Needs

At Goble & Yow Attorneys, PLLC, our Clarksville estate planning and probate lawyers know that the incapacity or death of a family member is an emotional time. Without the right estate documents, the challenges can mount as family members sort out the details, assert their right to oversee an estate, make important health decisions, or claim ownership of certain assets. Our lawyers have more than 35 years of combined experience in estate planning and probate matters. Call today to schedule your free consultation with our team and get started securing your family’s future.

Dial (931) 283-2311 now or contact Goble & Yow Attorneys, PLLC online to schedule a free consultation about your family’s case.

Comprehensive Counsel for All Your Family’s Estate Needs

Proactive estate planning can help you secure the future of your loved ones and provide legal clarification of your wishes. As a general practice, we can help you resolve related issues that require knowledge of a different set of laws.

We can help you put the right combination of tools in place, including:

• Drafting a will that dictates your choices for asset division, guardianship of minor children and other important matters
• Establishing trusts structured to avoid probate, protect and control the use of property or provide creative solutions to unique problems
• Planning for the possibility of incapacity before it becomes an issue
• Providing guidance and assistance for the administration and probate of an estate

Discuss Your Estate Needs with an Experienced Attorney

If you would like to discuss an estate planning or probate court matter with an attorney in a free consultation, call us right away. We are accessible and professional attorneys who will work hard to help you get the results you want. For your convenience, payment plans are available.

Everyone Should Have a Simple Will

A will is the most basic estate planning tool. If you have children or own a home or other property, a will can protect the things you hold most dear. It can also help eliminate stress for and disagreements between family members by providing clear directions. Our lawyers can help you draft one that is comprehensive and succinct so that it is upheld.

A will gives you control to:

• Denote specific gifts to beneficiaries: Make sure specific beneficiaries receive specific property. You can name your daughter to get grandma's antique ring or grandson to receive the car he spent summers building with his grandfather.
• Name friends and charitable organizations: Intestacy laws outline a strict chain of descent distribution. These do not include friends or charities. When no familial relations are available, ownership of your property reverts to the state.
• Designate guardians for minor children or disabled adults: You can choose someone you believe will raise your children in the best way possible. You can also ask the prospective guardians if they are willing and able to accept the responsibility.
• Appoint an executor: The executor of your estate needs to be someone you trust, and you can name a particular individual for this task in your will.
• Make exclusions: Family is complicated, and there are situations in which you may not trust someone with money or want him or her to inherit property. While there are strict rules you should follow, a will allows you to make it clear that certain people should not inherit property or obtain guardianship of your children.
• Provide funeral and burial direction: You can tell your family what is important to you instead of making it guess. You can also set aside funds so that your family does not have to worry about them.

You Can Plan for Unexpected Incapacity

One absolute certainty in life is that the future is uncertain. You cannot predict what will happen or when it will happen, but you can prepare for unknown situations. Addressing incapacity is something that many people put off until it is too late to prepare, and they are forced to react to a problem instead. Do not wait until a medical diagnosis or serious accident occurs to talk to a lawyer about incapacity and estate planning. Let Goble & Yow Attorneys, PLLC help.

Essential Incapacity Planning Documents

A comprehensive estate plan covers both incapacity and death. There are a few essential tools that can help you protect your assets and provide direction for your family should you become unable to make decisions for yourself.

These are:

• Durable power of attorney: You grant authority to a person you trust to handle your financial affairs.
• Health care power of attorney or proxy: You grant authority to a person you trust to make important decisions about your medical treatment and personal care.
• Living will: This provides specific direction to your physician about lifesaving treatment and medical care.
• HIPAA authorization: This document enables your health care proxy to make informed decisions about your care by giving your provider legal authority to release private medical information to your designee.

Probate Is a Major Step in the Estate Administration Process

People often use the terms estate administration and probate interchangeably, but they are not the same. Estate administration is the process in which your assets are identified, inventoried, and distributed so all of your debts get paid. Your executor also pays all applicable inheritance (estate) taxes and addresses TennCare matters if the decedent received benefits.

Probate is the formal process in which a court validates your will and gives the executor the authority to perform the required administrative duties. In the absence of a will, the court will use intestacy laws to determine the distribution of your assets.

The administration of your estate can take several months to several years depending on the property and your estate plan. When you have a valid will and adequate estate plan, the process can be relatively simple. Discussing the choices you made for your estate plan with family members, guardians and other beneficiaries can also help avoid will contests.

Were You Named Executor to an Estate? Let Our Lawyers Help

The task of acting as an executor is very important, but it can be complicated and stressful. We can provide the guidance you need to get the job done as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Call us at (931) 283-2311 or complete our online form to schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer.