Wills in Decherd

Match instructions to the way assets are held

Make an inventory before deciding that a will alone addresses everything you want to happen. For each account or item of property, note its current owner or title, any listed beneficiary, and whether you know of a related trust. Then compare those details with the instructions in your will.

This comparison can reveal questions to resolve—for example, whether an asset is addressed by your will or whether its ownership or beneficiary information should be reviewed separately. A will, a trust, and a beneficiary designation are not interchangeable instructions. The appropriate plan depends on the documents and ownership involved.

Choose the right person for each role

A will can name a person to handle estate matters under its instructions. That role is different from an agent acting under a power of attorney, a trustee managing trust property, or a beneficiary receiving an asset. Naming someone in one document does not by itself establish that person’s authority in another role.

When considering a person to name in your will, think about whether they can take on the responsibilities you intend and whether you want an alternate. Separately review any financial power of attorney and trust documents so the people, responsibilities, and limits fit together. A power of attorney authorizes another person to act on your behalf, but its scope and limits depend on the document.

Prepare a will-review worksheet

Bring a simple worksheet rather than relying on memory. List each significant asset, how it is titled, any beneficiary you believe is on file, and the document or statement that could confirm it. Add the date you last checked the information and a question mark wherever ownership or beneficiary details are uncertain.

Include a copy of your current will and any amendments, trust documents, and financial power of attorney. You can also list the people named in each document and the role assigned to each. The aim is to make discrepancies or gaps easier to discuss, not to assume that a record by itself settles legal ownership.

• For real property, note the property description or address and gather available ownership records. Franklin County has a separate Register of Deeds contact listed by UT CTAS; confirm current contact information and instructions before relying on a directory listing.
• For financial accounts, collect recent statements or other records showing title and beneficiary information, if available.
• Mark any conflicting names, outdated information, missing documents, or uncertainty about whether an asset is covered by a will or trust.

Questions to resolve before signing or revising

Consider asking: Which assets do I expect my will to address, and which may pass under separate ownership or beneficiary arrangements? Do the people named as estate representatives, trustees, and financial agents have clearly distinct roles? Are alternates needed? What records would help confirm the current ownership and beneficiary information?

Dale Law Group, PLLC offers wills and related planning services, including trusts and financial powers of attorney. The firm can review how those documents and the information you gather fit together and discuss whether updates are appropriate. The firm is based in Murfreesboro and serves clients across Tennessee.