Franklin Probate Lawyer

Trusted probate lawyers with over 20 years of experience.

If you are dealing with the death of a family member and trying to figure out what happens next with their estate, the process can be overwhelming. There are court filings, creditor notices, asset inventories, and tax deadlines that all need attention, often while you are still grieving.

Patterson Bray PLLC has been helping Tennessee families navigate the probate process for more than 20 years. Our Franklin, TN probate lawyer will walk you through every step, from opening the estate to distributing assets to the rightful heirs. If you need help with a probate matter in Williamson County, reach out to our office to schedule a consultation.

Probate Lawyer Franklin, TN

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling a deceased person’s estate. It involves validating the will (if one exists), appointing a personal representative to manage the estate, identifying and valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to the beneficiaries. In Franklin, probate matters are handled through the Williamson County Chancery Court or Probate Court. Some estates move through the process in a matter of months. Others, particularly those involving disputes among heirs, missing documents, or complicated asset structures, can take considerably longer. Having an attorney who understands the probate rules in Tennessee and the procedures in Williamson County makes the process far more manageable.

Types of Probate and Estate Administration Services We Handle in Franklin

Patterson Bray PLLC handles the full range of probate and estate administration matters for families in the Franklin, TN area. The right approach depends on the size of the estate, whether there is a valid will, and whether the heirs agree on how things should be handled.

Full probate administration. We guide personal representatives through the entire process, from filing the petition with the court to preparing the final accounting and distributing assets. This includes inventorying property, notifying creditors, resolving claims, and filing required tax returns.
Trust administration. When a deceased person held assets in a trust, those assets typically pass outside of probate. But the trustee still has legal obligations. We advise successor trustees on their fiduciary duties, distribution schedules, and tax reporting requirements.
Small estate proceedings. Tennessee allows simplified probate procedures for estates that fall below certain value thresholds. We help families determine whether they qualify and handle the streamlined filing process when they do.
Intestate estates. When someone dies without a will, Tennessee’s intestacy laws determine who inherits. We represent heirs in these cases and guide the appointed administrator through the court requirements.
Estate litigation. Will contests, disputes over the appointment of a personal representative, claims of undue influence, and disagreements among beneficiaries all require court involvement. We represent clients on both sides of probate disputes.
Creditor claims and debt resolution. During probate, creditors have a limited window to file claims against the estate. We help personal representatives evaluate, negotiate, and when necessary, challenge those claims.
Estate tax and fiduciary returns. Depending on the size of the estate, federal estate tax returns, fiduciary income tax returns, and final individual returns may all need to be filed. We coordinate with accountants and tax professionals to make sure everything is handled correctly and on time.

Why Choose Patterson Bray PLLC for Probate in Franklin, TN?

Extensive Estate Planning and Probate Experience

Larry R. Bray has spent his career focused on estate planning, post-death administration, and trust matters. He is admitted to practice in five jurisdictions: Tennessee, Kentucky, Wyoming, New York, and the United States Tax Court. That Tax Court admission is particularly relevant in probate matters involving estates with significant tax exposure, where decisions made during administration can have lasting financial consequences for the heirs.

Larry is a member of the Memphis Estate Planning Council, the Professional Advisors Council of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, and has served as a board member and committee chair at his local church. He is also a member of WealthCounsel, LLC, a nationwide network of estate planning attorneys. His notable work includes designing wealth transfer strategies that moved tens of millions of dollars to heirs free of estate tax and building asset protection structures that shielded client wealth from creditor claims.

Lindsay A. Jones also concentrates on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and charitable giving. She graduated cum laude from the University of Memphis with a J.D./M.B.A. and received the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award. Lindsay is admitted in Tennessee and Mississippi and serves as president of the Planned Giving Council of Greater Memphis. She is a member of both the Memphis Bar Association Wills/Probate Section and the Mississippi Bar Association Estates and Trusts Section.

Together, Larry and Lindsay bring deep experience in probate administration across a wide variety of estate sizes and complexities.

A Firm Built for Complex Situations

Patterson Bray PLLC has served Tennessee clients for over 20 years across estate planning, family law, personal injury, and business litigation. That breadth matters in probate because estates frequently involve questions that cross practice areas. Business ownership interests, real property disputes, marital property claims, and tax obligations all arise during administration. Having attorneys across those disciplines under one roof means we can address complications as they surface rather than referring you elsewhere. Patterson Bray PLLC has also been recognized as a Tier 1 law firm by U.S. News & World Report.

Understanding Probate Cases

Key Probate Documents and What They Do

Probate in Franklin involves several documents and filings that work together to move the estate through the court system. Here is a brief overview of the most important ones:

A petition to open the estate formally begins the probate process and requests the court to appoint a personal representative
Letters testamentary (or letters of administration, if there is no will) grant the personal representative legal authority to act on behalf of the estate
The inventory is a court-filed document that lists all estate assets and their values as of the date of death
Notice to creditors is a published announcement that gives creditors a set period to file claims against the estate
The final accounting summarizes all financial activity during administration, including income received, debts paid, and distributions made
The order of distribution is the court’s approval to distribute remaining assets to the beneficiaries and close the estate

Important Aspects in Your Probate Case

A few things are worth understanding before you begin the probate process in Williamson County.

First, not every asset goes through probate. Life insurance proceeds, retirement accounts with named beneficiaries, jointly held property with rights of survivorship, and assets held in a trust all pass outside of probate entirely. Understanding which assets are probate assets and which are not is one of the first things we assess.

Second, the personal representative has a fiduciary duty to the estate and its beneficiaries. That means acting in the best interest of the heirs, keeping accurate records, and avoiding any self-dealing. Breaching that duty can result in personal liability.

Third, Tennessee law requires creditors to be notified and given an opportunity to file claims. The notice to creditors process has specific timing and publication requirements. Missing those steps can extend the administration or expose the personal representative to liability.

Probate Case Timeline

Every estate is different, but here is a general outline of what to expect:

Filing the petition and having the personal representative appointed by the court
Publishing notice to creditors and notifying known creditors directly
Inventorying and appraising estate assets
Paying valid creditor claims, debts, and ongoing expenses of administration
Filing any required tax returns, including the decedent’s final income tax return and estate tax returns if applicable
Preparing and filing the final accounting with the court
Distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries and petitioning the court to close the estate

A straightforward estate with no disputes can sometimes be wrapped up within six to nine months. Contested estates or those with complex assets can take a year or more.

What to Bring to Your Probate Consultation

If you are meeting with a probate attorney in Franklin for the first time, bring what you have available:

The original will, if one exists, along with any trust documents
The death certificate
A preliminary list of known assets, including real property, bank accounts, investment accounts, and vehicles
Information about known debts, including mortgages, credit cards, and medical bills
Contact information for beneficiaries named in the will or, if there is no will, for the decedent’s closest relatives

We will review the situation, explain whether probate is required, and walk you through the steps and timeline ahead.

Tennessee Legal Resources for Probate

Tennessee provides several public resources for people navigating the probate process. Here are a few starting points.

The Tennessee Courts website provides court forms for probate matters, including petitions, inventories, accountings, and orders of distribution
The Tennessee Secretary of State provides registration information for charitable organizations, which can be relevant when an estate includes charitable bequests
The IRS estate tax page outlines federal estate tax rules, exemption thresholds, and filing requirements for Form 706
The IRS fiduciary return page provides instructions for filing Form 1041, the fiduciary income tax return required for estates that generate income during administration

Reach Out to Patterson Bray PLLC to Schedule a Consultation

If you need help with probate in Franklin, TN, Patterson Bray PLLC is here to guide you. For over 20 years, our attorneys have helped Tennessee families settle estates of all sizes, and we understand the emotional and legal challenges that come with this process. We will review your situation, answer your questions, and give you a clear path forward.