Business Details
29 Years
experience
Probate & Estate Planning Services in Memphis
The Law Office Of Kevin E Childress has served clients in Memphis and surrounding areas for over 25 years, specializing in probate law and estate planning. Our practice combines deep legal expertise with a commitment to Christian principles, ensuring clients receive personalized, ethical representation. We focus on estate and trust administration, conservatorships, guardianships, and related litigation, while also offering comprehensive estate planning services including wills and trusts. Our team maintains cutting-edge legal research tools and adheres to rigorous professional standards, demonstrated through memberships in Elder Counsel, Wealth Counsel, and the Memphis Bar Association.With extensive courtroom experience and roles as Guardian ad Litem and Substitute Judge in Shelby County Probate Courts, we provide practical solutions tailored to each client's unique circumstances. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in our efficient case handling, community involvement, and recognition through speaking engagements and committee leadership in probate law reform.
Services
Probate and Estate Management
Estate Planning
Conservatorships
Guardianships
Will Contests
Trust Administration
Living Wills
Powers of Attorney
Small Business Formation
Civil Disputes
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of specialized probate law experience
- Our practice integrates Christian principles with legal excellence
- We serve as Guardian ad Litem and Substitute Judge in local courts
- We maintain cutting-edge legal research and investigation methods
- Our team includes Memphis Bar Foundation Fellow and disciplinary committee member
What people say
Genuineness, kindness, professionalism
Compassion during difficult time
Best speaker ever
Patience and kindness
Professionalism and courtesy
Services
Probate and Estate Management
We handle all aspects of estate administration including asset inventory, debt settlement, and distribution of assets according to Tennessee law. Our experienced team manages small estates under $50,000, complex probate matters, and estate litigation. We serve as Personal Representatives and Special Masters to ensure efficient resolution of probate cases while maintaining strict compliance with legal requirements.
Estate Planning
Our comprehensive estate planning services include drafting wills, trusts, living wills, and powers of attorney tailored to individual needs. We help clients establish guardianships for minors, create healthcare directives, and implement tax-efficient strategies. With expertise in Tennessee-specific requirements, we ensure your wishes are legally protected through properly executed documents that address property distribution and healthcare decisions.
Conservatorships
We assist in establishing conservatorships for individuals requiring financial management support due to incapacity. Our services include petition preparation, court representation, and ongoing compliance with reporting requirements. We guide families through the legal process while maintaining the dignity and rights of the individual, ensuring proper management of assets and decision-making authority as mandated by Tennessee probate courts.
Will Contests
Our firm represents clients in contested probate matters including will challenges and estate disputes. We provide vigorous legal advocacy for beneficiaries, executors, and interested parties, addressing issues of undue influence, testamentary capacity, and asset distribution conflicts. With extensive courtroom experience, we work to protect client interests through negotiated settlements or litigation when necessary.
Trust Administration
We offer expert trust administration services covering asset transfer, trustee responsibilities, and compliance with trust terms. Our practice includes establishing revocable and irrevocable trusts, managing trust assets, and resolving administration disputes. We guide trustees through complex legal requirements while ensuring beneficiaries' rights are protected in accordance with Tennessee trust law.
People
Kevin E. Childress
Attorney-at-Law
Kevin Childress has practiced probate law in Memphis since 1997, specializing in estate planning and administration. A University of Tennessee law graduate and former public defender, he serves as Substitute Judge in Shelby County Probate Courts and participates in probate rule reform committees. He represents major healthcare institutions and law firms on probate matters.
Questions
What legal documents should I include in my estate plan?
A comprehensive estate plan should include a will, durable power of attorney, living will, and healthcare power of attorney to address property distribution, financial decisions, and medical care preferences.
How does probate work in Tennessee?
Tennessee probate involves validating the will, inventorying assets, paying debts, and distributing property through court supervision. Our office handles estates of all sizes with efficient administration.
Can I modify my existing will?
Yes, you can modify a will through a codicil or create a new will. Major life changes like marriage or divorce require updating your estate plan to reflect current circumstances.
What happens if someone dies without a will in Tennessee?
Intestate estates follow state laws determining asset distribution to surviving family members. Our office can guide heirs through the legal process of estate administration without a will.
Do I need a lawyer for estate planning?
While not legally required, an experienced estate planning attorney ensures documents meet legal standards, addresses complex family situations, and provides tax-efficient solutions tailored to your needs.
