Knoxville, Tennessee Personal Injury Blog

Wrongful death resources are available to help surviving family members of victims of car and other accidents who are wrongfully killed. What exactly is a wrongful death claim and how can it help loved ones following the devastating loss of a family member?

A fatal motor vehicle accident can take everything away from a family in an instant. A wrongful death claim for damages can be brought on behalf of surviving family members by the estate of the lost loved one for the benefit of surviving family members who may suffer financial and emotional harm as a result of the loss of their loved one.

Car accidents are shockingly common throughout Tennessee. One recent fatal accident occurred on May 5th, and a 78-year old man faces charges of homicide, reckless driving and aggravated assault for the incident. 

Fatalities make up a minority of car accident results in the state. However, plenty of people sustain injuries following a car crash. Even if you believe it is a cut-and-dry case, such as the other driver clearly being at fault, you should still hire an attorney to handle the minutiae of the case. 

There are several important components of a Tennessee estate plan that estate planners should be familiar. They should also be familiar with the value of having an effective estate plan, and the ways in which one can ensure their wishes are fulfilled and provide a more peaceful transition process for family, friends and loved ones with fewer disputes and estate-related concerns to settle and resolve.

Estate planning allows the estate planner to plan beforehand for how they want their property to be distributed and their loved ones to be cared for. As part of an overall estate plan, there are several estate planning tools estate planners should be familiar with. The first tool is a will which should be validly executed in the state wherein the estate planner resides so it is important to know the rules in their state. In addition, a trust can be another effective estate planning tool and part of an overall estate plan which can work on its own or in conjunction with a will. There are different types of trusts for different situations so the estate planner should be aware of their options and how they might suit their needs.

When it comes to the topic of wills and your estate plan, there are two lessons that everyone should know. The first is that you should have a will. It may seem obvious and even curt to say that, but it's the truth. It doesn't matter if you're younger or much older -- if you don't have a will right now, then take the time to make one. Wills protect your estate and preserve your last wishes, while also giving your loved ones and beneficiaries legal documentation to establish what they are entitled to.

The second lesson is to make sure that once you have a will, you update it frequently. This part is just as critical as making the will in the first place. If you don't update your will, it is unlikely that the document will reflect your wishes at the end of your life.