Estate planning can be complicated. Passing your hard-earned wealth to the next generation carries significant legal and tax implications, but an experienced law firm can guide you through the process. So, what are the best estate planning services near you?
Tennessee is home to plenty of estate planning and probate firms, but this variety can also make it hard to decide. Here is a closer look at the 10 best options in the state to narrow down your choices.
1. Crow Estate Planning & Probate
With three in-state locations and hundreds of five-star reviews, Crow Estate Planning and Probate is the all-around best service in Tennessee. Unlike many firms, it focuses solely on estate and business planning, lending it an unmatched level of expertise.
Crow offers free consultations, so you can hear from an experienced professional without any commitment or expense. The firm’s focus on this practice also means anyone helping you is dedicated to the exact situations you are dealing with. That level of service can provide needed peace of mind when handling these delicate matters.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has accredited Crow and awarded it an A+ rating for even more assurance. It has also received awards from SuperLawyers and Expertise.com in recognition of its excellence in probate and estate law.
2. Cumberland Legacy Law
Crossville-based Cumberland Legacy Law is another of the best estate planning services near you. The firm is a member of several important groups in this space, including the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and Wealth Counsel, highlighting its authority and expertise.
Cumberland Legacy offers an extensive range of estate planning services, from wills to conservatorships to living wills. It also practices in related areas like veterans' aid and special needs planning, which can help you account for unique concerns if you or your loved ones fall into either of these categories.
You can also find a large library of resources on Cumberland Legacy’s website offering advice for planning in each life stage. These can be helpful when you do not know where to start but are not comfortable talking face to face with an attorney yet.
3. Cole Law Group
The Cole Law Group is an excellent alternative. As a larger firm, its practice spans many areas, from business and employment concerns to personal litigation to family law. Such a range of experience means you can likely find someone familiar with your situation, regardless of the specifics.
Despite its vast service offerings, Cole emphasizes personalized service and reasonable rates. Its strategy adapts to your unique needs and challenges, giving you confidence in your ability to achieve the outcomes you want.
Cole Law boasts an impressive string of certifications and awards, too. That includes an A+ rating from the BBB and a 10 out of 10 rating on Justia, which compares legal firms. It also serves all Tennessee state courts, so you can turn to its services wherever you are.
4. The Blair Law Firm
Another larger practice to consider is The Blair Law Firm, which deserves recognition as a member of the Nashville, Tennessee and national Bar associations. Like Cole Law, it operates in multiple fields, but unlike Cole, those specialties largely revolve around personal injury and estate law.
Blair Law boasts over 50 years of combined experience and has been repeatedly recognized as one of the top services in the region by SuperLawyers. Its estate planning offerings expand all areas you might need, including wills, trusts and power of attorney questions. The attorneys also provide litigation and mediation support if such help becomes necessary.
Former clients highlight Blair Law’s combination of professionalism and care when handling delicate situations. That level of attention to detail can make a significant difference when planning or probating an estate.
5. Fix Law
Alternatively, Fix Law offers some of the best estate planning services near you if you reside in the East Tennessee region. While the Knoxville-based firm is a smaller practice than some alternatives, its dedication to its field and clients sets it apart from much of the competition.
Fix Law has been in business for more than 10 years, and that decade of experience shows through in the quality of its service. Clients and third-party review websites have showered the practice with praise, citing its personal touch and thorough communication when explaining complicated or intimidating legal concepts.
Notably, Fix Law is a solo operation. Bill Fix is the practice’s only lawyer, which may lead to scheduling issues for some, but results in dedicated service for others.
6. Frazier Law
With locations in three states, Frazier Law may lack the local focus some others offer, but it is still among the top estate planning firms in Tennessee. Much of its work focuses on succession and estate planning, but it also works heavily in tax law, which can be useful for high-net-worth individuals or complex asset considerations.
Frazier Law’s specialties include both individual and business concerns. While not everyone needs each side, this broader range of expertise is helpful if you have a business you plan to pass on to your next of kin.
The firm’s impressive results in reducing tax burdens and penalties also deserve attention. Such savings ensure more of your estate goes directly into the hands of your loved ones.
7. GSRM Law
Nashville-based GSRM Law is another one of the best estate planning services in Tennessee. The practice boasts over 80 years of experience and 34 lawyers under its umbrella, giving it the resources to serve any estate or probate need.
GSRM’s founders and partners have served on the Tennessee Supreme Court, Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. District Court of Middle Tennessee and more. Its work has also spanned multiple areas of the law, so it is ready to take on virtually any case you may present.
The firm mostly caters to high-net-worth individuals and families with generational wealth. While that may make it less optimal for some clients, it is a specific kind of expertise those in that niche can benefit heavily from.
8. Evans Petree
Another long-standing practice to consider for your estate planning needs is Evans Petree, which has served the community since 1907. Over its 100-plus years in the legal sector, Evans Petree has gained firsthand experience in multiple sectors and areas of the law.
Despite its size, the practice stresses the importance of personalized service and care. It sees itself as an advisor and helper, not just legal counsel. That emphasis on the human side of legal proceedings is crucial when dealing with estate planning and probate, which can be uncomfortable topics for some.
Evans Petree’s considerable body of experience means it can help you with all sides of the estate planning process, including tax and insurance considerations. It is also ISO 27001 certified, which showcases industry-leading care for managing sensitive data.
9. Dodson Parker Behm & Capparella
The attorneys at Dodson Parker Behm and Capparella provide some of the best estate planning services near you if you reside in the greater Nashville area. The firm’s staff is actively involved in the Nashville community, lending a level of local expertise and understanding that can be useful for your legal questions.
Dodson Parker’s estate services may not cover as much ground as others, but it does offer some unique specialties. It has helped clients manage trusts for pet care and community property, for example. While not everyone may need such a focus, it is nice to have if you have niche concerns.
The practice has also developed a reputation for trustworthiness and care. It has received several awards for its pro bono work throughout Nashville, and several of its members are law professors at local institutions.
10. Music City Estate Law
Finally, Music City Estate Law is worth considering for those in Nashville and Franklin. It is a smaller firm than many of the others on this list, but that can result in high attention to detail and care for your case.
Music City emphasizes estate law and offers plenty of trust services, like international trusts and protecting your assets from business liabilities. Its attorneys are also members of the Nashville Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association, showcasing their expertise in the region’s legal landscape.
Scheduling can sometimes be difficult with smaller practices, but Music City offers online services to streamline the process. You can also book a virtual appointment, which is helpful if you do not want to drive through Nashville.
What to Look for in an Estate Planning Service
While your ideal estate planning service depends on case-specific factors, you should look for a few general signs of a reliable option. Most importantly, your firm of choice should specifically mention estate planning in its practice areas. The law is a wide and varied field, so you want an attorney with experience in this unique area to get optimal results.
Third-party certifications and memberships in larger legal groups are a good sign. You can find accredited estate planners on the National Association of Estate Planners and Council’s (NAEPC) website or look for other qualifications on a firm’s site. BBB accreditation and membership in local Bar Associations are other positives to look for.
You should also look into the specific estate planning services a firm offers. At minimum, a practice should offer will and trust writing and management, but you may also need counsel for elder law, conservatorships or business succession. No area is preferable to another — it comes down to what is most relevant to you.
The size of the company is worth considering, too. Larger firms often have more resources, but a smaller one can direct more time and attention to your case. Similarly, a firm focusing solely on estate and probate matters may offer more care than a less-specialized one. However, expertise in other areas can be helpful, such as if you have a complex mix of assets.
Estate Planning Services Side-by-Side Comparison
Here is how the 10 best estate planning services in Tennessee compare to one another in light of these factors. Use this breakdown to determine which best fits your needs.
Estate Services | Practice Areas | Qualifications | |
Crow | Wills, trusts, power of attorney, elder law, estate administration, will contests, conservatorships | Estate planning, probate, business planning, digital asset planning, conservatorships and guardianships, real estate | BBB accredited, NAEPC member, Chamber of Commerce member |
Cumberland Legacy | Wills, trusts, power of attorney, elder law, conservatorships | Asset protection, business succession planning, charitable planning, estate planning, medicaid crisis planning, special needs planning, veterans aid | Elder Counsel member, Wealth Counsel member, NAELA member |
Cole Law | Wills, trusts, elder law | Business and commercial law, defamation and privacy, family law, education law, employment law, estate planning, probate, immigration, intellectual property, litigation, mediation, injury, professional license defense | BBB accredited, Tennessee Trail Lawyers Association member, Lead Counsel verified |
The Blair Law Firm | Wills, trusts, power of attorney, conservatorships | Estate planning, probate, conservatorships and guardianships, business litigation, personal injury, trust and estates litigation | Nashville Bar Association member, Tennessee Bar Foundation member, American Bar Association member, |
Fix Law | Wills, trusts | Estate planning, probate, family law, document review | Blount County Bar Association member |
Frazier Law | Wills, trusts, elder law | Estate planning, probate, business succession, tax law | BBB accredited, Tennessee Bar Association member, American Bar Association member |
GSRM Law | Wills, trusts, estate administration, power of attorney, conservatorships | Bankruptcy, business law, business succession, estate planning, probate, family law, labor and employment law, litigation, real estate, tax planning | Nashville School of Law Board member, Nashville Bar Association member |
Evans Petree | Wills, trusts, life insurance planning, power of attorney, conservatorships | Estate planning, probate, alternative dispute resolution, appellate practice, aviation law, banking law, construction law, corporate law, debtor law, international law, labor and employment law, litigation, family law, real estate, tax planning, logistics law | Tennessee Bar Association member |
Dodson Parker | Wills, trusts, power of attorney | Estate planning, probate, business succession, business and commercial law, civil and criminal litigation, nonprofit law, labor and employment law, appeals and trial support, municipal law | Professor positions at Vanderbilt University Law School and Nashville School of Law, John C. Tune Public Service Award winner |
Music City Estate Law | Wills, trusts, asset protection, | Estate planning, probate, business succession, | Wealth Counsel member, Nashville Bar Association member, Williamson County Bar Association member |
The Best Estate Planning Service in Tennessee Depends on Your Needs
Finding the best estate planning services near you starts with learning what makes a reliable council. Once you know what to look for and what you need, you can turn to this list to see how Tennessee’s top firms align with your goals. You can then get the help you need to ensure your estate passes to the next generation safely and with minimal complications.
