Skip to content

Estate planning and probate attorneys in Franklin, Tennessee, for families across Williamson County and Middle Tennessee.

Estate planning & probate

The will you've been meaning to get to. A parent's estate you suddenly have to settle. We'll walk you through either one step by step, and for most estate plans you'll know the flat fee before you commit.

Request a consultation
Estate planning papers, reading glasses and a cup of coffee on a wooden kitchen table in morning light

Who we help

Parents who have put off a will

You want it handled properly, and you want to know what it costs, whether you need a will or a trust, and how the process works. We'll answer all three at your first meeting.

Adult children settling a parent's estate

You're the executor, or you've just found out you might be. We'll explain what probate involves in Tennessee, what to do first, and what to expect from here.

Services

Wills and revocable living trusts
Flat fee
For parents and individuals planning their estates.An attorney-drafted estate plan that says who receives what, who's in charge, and who cares for your children if you can't.
Powers of attorney and healthcare directives
Included in the will package
For anyone planning for a time they can't make decisions themselves.Names the people who can handle your finances and medical decisions if you're unable to. Usually prepared as part of an estate plan, and included in our will package.
Probate and estate administration
Billed hourly
For adult children and executors settling a parent's or relative's estate.Probate is the court-supervised process of settling an estate: proving the will, paying debts and passing property to the people who should receive it. Elena Whitfield handles most of the administration.

What it costs

Most estate plans are a published flat fee, so you know the cost before you commit.

Billed hourly

Probate and estate administration are billed hourly. We'll explain how billing works, and what affects the total, at your first meeting.

Flat fees, starting at

Estate plans

  • Will packageWill, powers of attorney and healthcare directive
    Individual
    $950
    Couple
    $1,450
  • Revocable living trust packageAttorney-drafted trust-based estate plan
    Individual
    $2,800
    Couple
    $3,400

Every matter starts with a consultation.You'll know your price before you commit.

How it works

  1. Talk with an attorney

    Every matter starts with a consultation. You'll speak with the attorney who'll handle your matter, not an intake screener.

  2. Agree the plan and the fee

    For a will or trust package, you'll know the flat fee before you commit. For probate, we explain hourly billing and what to expect.

  3. We draft or file

    Your attorney drafts your documents, or takes the estate through probate step by step, and keeps you updated in plain English.

  4. Sign, or settle the estate

    We sign your plan with you at our Main Street office, or close out the estate and pass property to the people who should receive it.

Who you'll work with

Representative result: probate

Settled a contested $2.1M estate among four siblings through mediation in five months, avoiding trial.
Results depend on the facts of each case. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter. Client names and identifying details have been omitted.

More representative results

Questions we hear

More answers on our FAQ page.

What does an estate plan cost?

Most estate plans are a flat fee. Our will package (will, powers of attorney and healthcare directive) starts at $950 for an individual or $1,450 for a couple. Our revocable living trust package starts at $2,800 for an individual or $3,400 for a couple. Every matter starts with a consultation, and you'll know your price before you commit.

Do I need a will or a trust?

A will says who receives your property and who cares for minor children, and it goes through probate after you die. A revocable living trust holds your property during your lifetime so it can pass to your family without probate, and it keeps more of your affairs private. It costs more to set up. Which one fits depends on what you own, your family and your goals. We'll give you a straight recommendation at your consultation.

What's the process, and how long does it take?

We meet, agree what your plan needs and confirm the flat fee, then draft your documents for you to review. Once you're happy, you sign them with us. How long it takes depends mostly on how quickly decisions get made; we'll give you a realistic timeline at your first meeting.

What does probate involve in Tennessee?

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate. In general it means filing the will with the probate court, having a personal representative (executor) appointed, notifying creditors, paying valid debts and taxes, and distributing what's left to the people entitled to it. We'll walk you through each step as it comes.

A parent has died. What should I do first?

Find the will if there is one, keep the house and belongings secure, and hold off on paying debts or handing out property from the estate until you've spoken with an attorney. Then call us. We'll tell you what needs to happen first and what can wait.

How long will probate take?

It depends on the estate: what it holds, whether there's a valid will and whether anyone disagrees. After we've reviewed the details we'll give you an honest estimate, and we'll keep you updated as things move.

Talk with James or Elena about your situation.

Every matter starts with a consultation. Request one online, call us, or stop by our office on Main Street.

Request a consultationor call (615) 555-0142