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 When I’m working with a client on their estate planning, I’m almost always asked, “What happens with my revocable trust when I die?” In other words, what does my family have to do when I pass away? It’s a […]

 When discussing trust with clients, I’m always asked, “What’s the difference between a revocable and an irrevocable trust?” It’s a distinction that can feel a bit technical, but at its core, it’s about control. While both can be used […]

 We’re often asked, “At what age should I start estate planning?” The short answer is probably sooner than you think. Most people associate estate planning with older age, but the truth is that every adult should have some basic […]

 We get asked a lot how long the probate process takes in Tennessee. In Tennessee, we generally tell clients that the probate process takes about six to twelve months, but that can vary depending on the situation. To be […]

 So, just having a trust doesn’t avoid probate, but a properly set up trust can avoid probate. Let’s first briefly explain probate. Probate is a court process required for someone’s estate when they die with assets in their name […]

 If you’ve formed an LLC, or are thinking about it, you need to understand this question: What is an operating agreement, and why is it so important? An LLC operating agreement is the rule book for your business. It […]

 Are you thinking of selling your business? Whether you’re retiring, moving, or just ready for something new, here’s what happens when you decide to sell your business. Selling a business is a multi-step process. Once you make the decision […]

 Hi, I’m an estate planning attorney here at Carpenter and Lewis in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you’re married and own appreciated assets like real estate or stocks that have increased in value over time, there’s a powerful way to eliminate […]

 “So, one of the things when I’m talking with estate planning clients is they have a question about, ‘What is probate?’ Probate is the legal process of transferring a deceased person’s assets to whoever they’re supposed to go to. […]

 “A question I don’t have that often, luckily, but that still comes up, is a client asking that general question of, ‘Why do I even care about estate planning?’ I’ve done this long enough to where I’m pretty direct […]