Crow Estate Planning and Probate, PLC

09/04/2026

Under Tennessee law, a will can be revoked one of three ways:

📝 Creating a new will is the best way to void a prior will.

This is the most straightforward and legally clean method available, and it is the one we recommend in nearly every situation. This approach leaves no room for doubt on your intentions.

🔥 Destroying the old will is also acceptable, but is not the cleanest path forward.

The document must be burned, torn, cancelled, or otherwise destroyed. However, this method is far more likely to create problems than a properly executed new will. The destruction must be done by the testator, or at the testator’s direction and in the testator’s presence. You cannot hand your will to a friend and ask them to shred it on your behalf. Any and all copies of this will must also be destroyed, or else they could be admitted to probate court.

⚖️ In some circumstances, Tennessee law can automatically affect how a will is treated, even without any action by the testator.

This is called revocation by operation of law, and it is the least reliable method to count on. The most common example involves divorce. In Tennessee, when a person dies after a divorce, state law revokes provisions in the will that benefited the former spouse. This happens automatically under certain events governed by state law. However, this can create problems, especially in terms of inheritance for children and stepchildren, so it's important to update your estate plan after a life-changing event, such as a divorce.

Need to update your will? Schedule your free estate planning consultation at any of our six nearby locations!

09/02/2026

Protecting your family's future is a big responsibility, and we're honored you chose our firm with creating this plan!

08/31/2026

One question our team frequently receives is: "Do I need to update my estate plan if I have recently gone through a divorce?"

Absolutely.

While some state laws automatically revoke provisions in your will or power of attorney that name your former spouse as a beneficiary, executor, or agent under a power of attorney, this statutory protection is not a substitute for a comprehensive update.

Your existing documents may still reference your former spouse or fail to name new beneficiaries, such as children from a new relationship. Further, trusts and certain beneficiary designations (like those on retirement accounts or life insurance policies) are not always automatically changed by divorce.

To ensure your assets are protected and your wishes are carried out, it’s important to meet with an experienced estate planning attorney to revise your documents accordingly.

If you've recently gone through a divorce, call our team today to schedule a free consultation at any of our locations. We'll have an estate planning attorney review your documents and provide options on next steps to ensure your plan is updated and reflects your wishes.

08/28/2026

Our focused practice means our team knows these areas inside and out, giving our clients the five-star service they deserve!

08/26/2026

Please help us welcome Mary Helen Whitley to our firm!

Originally from West Tennessee, she graduated cm laude from the University of Mississippi's School of Law earlier this spring. Our Clarksville clients may recognize her, since she was one of our clerks last summer!

Upon her admission to the Tennessee Bar, Mary Helen will serve our estate planning and probate clients in the greater Clarksville area.

Welcome back, Mary Helen! 🎉

08/24/2026

When it comes to deciding who should be the executor of your will, make sure to choose someone who can navigate the responsibilities and challenges managing an estate can bring.

We advise our clients to choose someone who is:

✅ Trustworthy: Your executor will pay your outstanding bills and distribute your assets to your beneficiaries, so they should be someone you can trust.

🗂️ Organized: Strong organizational skills will benefit the executor in performing the required paperwork and accounting responsibilities.

🏡 Financially skilled: Assets like investments and real estate can get complicated to handle. An executor should be skilled financially to manage these assets well.

⚖️ Impartial: The executor should treat your beneficiaries with fairness. They should also be level-headed enough in case conflicts arise and be adept at resolving these conflicts.

🗓️ Available: It takes time to perform all the duties required of an executor. Your appointed person should be willing and have the space in their schedule to do the work.

For more information on the role of executor, check out our article in the comments below!

08/20/2026

Attorney Jonathon Garnett joined the HYPE - Hopkinsville Young Professionals Engage meeting today to share the ins and outs of estate planning and probate in Kentucky.

Special thanks to the Christian County Chamber of Commerce for the invite!

08/19/2026

We're grateful for every client who trusts us to help protect their family and legacy. Thank you for choosing our firm!

08/17/2026

New intestacy laws are now in effect in Kentucky, impacting families of those whose loved ones passed away without a will in place.

Learn more about these changes, and what you can do to protect your wishes, in our latest article.

When someone dies without a will in Kentucky, state law controls the distribution of assets. Learn more about this process, and how to avoid intestacy, in our latest guide.

08/14/2026

Don't delay this "to do" any longer. Contact our team today to get started!