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Law FAQ: What is negligence? Negligence is the legal term for failing to exercise reasonable care and caution under a given set of circumstances. It is commonly referred to as “the ordinary, reasonable man” standard. Legal liability is assessed when a person fails to follow society’s most basic “rules of...
Read More Continue ReadingHow does Property Pass to Beneficiaries? Do you know who your beneficiaries are? When we ask clients this question, their first response is often quick and affirmative. However, we frequently discover through the estate planning process that the beneficiaries listed on our clients’ life insurance policies and retirement accounts are...
Read More Continue ReadingTennessee is NOT a Community Property State Community property states such as California and Texas, permit assets to receive a step-up in basis to the current fair market value (FMV) at the death of the first spouse to die regardless of which spouse owns the assets. Tennessee is a separate...
Read More Continue ReadingHalloween – Your Legal Duty of Reasonable Care Halloween is always a great time of year – costumes, hayrides, haunted houses, and candy! However, homeowners should be mindful of the responsibility they owe visitors to their property. Later this evening, many of you will have a variety of ghosts, princesses,...
Read More Continue ReadingLaw FAQ: My neighbor’s tree hangs over the property line. Do I have the right to cut back the branches? Yes. The Tennessee Supreme Court made it clear in 2002 that you definitely have the right to cut away any branches or vegetation to the extent it hangs over onto...
Read More Continue ReadingLaw FAQ: Can I Place My Assets in a Trust and Protect Them from My Creditors? Before 2007, if an individual created a trust under which he is a beneficiary, the assets of the trust were subject to the claims of his creditors. As a result, an individual could not...
Read More Continue ReadingAm I liable for a Car Accident Caused by my Child or Spouse? It depends! Tennessee follows the family purpose doctrine, which can result in a family member, such as a parent or spouse, being held liable for damages caused by another family member’s negligent operation of a vehicle if...
Read More Continue ReadingBreast Cancer Awareness Month: Quick Facts Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women, behind skin cancers. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, behind lung cancer. The lifetime chance of developing invasive breast cancer is approximately 1 in 8, or 12%....
Read More Continue ReadingCapacity to Make a Will in Tennessee As an estate planning and probate lawyer, I’ve handled cases from time to time where a person’s capacity at the time he or she created a Will or Trust was an issue. The elderly have increasingly become targets for those looking to prey...
Read More Continue ReadingLaw FAQ: Can I Sell My House to My Children for $1 to Avoid Gift Tax? Many clients and others have asked if they could sell their house to their children for $1 to avoid gift tax. The short answer to that question is “no”. Any transfer for less than...
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