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Estate planning in Memphis, TN
Tennessee's no-estate-tax + Shelby County's efficient probate make Memphis estates straightforward to settle.
Why this matters in Memphis
The local angle
Tennessee has no state estate tax, no inheritance tax, no state income tax. Shelby County probate is generally efficient. The TN small-estate procedure ($50K threshold) handles many Memphis-area estates without formal probate.
Local nuance
Tennessee's Living Trust Act provides a robust framework for revocable trusts; the state has historically been a popular trust situs for out-of-state families.
Top concerns for Memphis families
- No state estate/inheritance tax
- $50K small-estate procedure
- Step-up basis on Memphis real estate
- Tennessee Living Trust Act
Tennessee state law
At a glance
Memphis estate work is governed by Tennessee state law. Here's what every family should know.
$2,000–$4,000 typical
Affidavit collection T.C.A. §30-4-101
No inheritance tax
Spousal rights
Elective share: graduated by length of marriage (10%–40%)
Common pitfalls
- TN repealed estate tax in 2016 (effective for deaths in 2016+)
- TN repealed inheritance tax in 2016
- Outdated beneficiary designations override the will
- Real estate in another state triggers ancillary probate
- Joint tenancy with non-spouse can create unintended consequences
Free AI tools for Memphis families
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7-day welcome sequence covers the 3 documents, the parent conversation, sibling conflict, the inherited house decision tree, and the digital legacy plan. Free.
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Start with the checklist
Download the free Family Estate Readiness Checklist — 47 things to do, say, find, and decide.
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Also serving
Cities we cover
New York, NY
5 boroughs, 62 counties, one Surrogate's Court system — and family estate work that often crosses jurisdictions.
Los Angeles, CA
California Probate Court is statutory-fee — and inherited Prop-13-protected homes are the family-fight epicenter.
Chicago, IL
Illinois has a $4M state estate tax exemption — the lowest of any state — meaning more Chicago families face state estate tax.
Houston, TX
Independent administration makes Texas probate fast and cheap — but community property rules trip up blended families.