Estate Planning Lawyer in Germantown
While most Americans understand the purpose of a will, fewer realize that a will alone is often insufficient to protect their interests and those of their loved ones. A will can name an executor, designate beneficiaries, and outline funeral arrangements—but for individuals with larger or more complex estates, it may leave families facing a lengthy probate process, exposure to creditors, and uncertainty about how to honor the decedent’s wishes.
Estate planning addresses these gaps. More than just drafting a will, comprehensive estate planning is a legal strategy designed to protect your assets, provide for your care as you age, and ensure a smoother transition for your family. A complete plan may include powers of attorney, healthcare directives, trusts, and other instruments tailored to your specific circumstances.
At The Bradley Law Firm, J. Anthony Bradley helps clients build estate plans that anticipate life’s uncertainties and provide lasting protection for the people who matter most.
Our Services
What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is a legal strategy designed to protect your assets, provide for your care, and ensure your wishes are honored. While often associated with later stages of life, estate planning is valuable at any age—particularly for those anticipating major life changes or who want to ensure their families are provided for in the event of illness, incapacity, or death.
Estate planning often includes, but is not necessarily limited to:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Asset Protection Strategies
- Living Wills
- Power of Attorney
An effective estate plan serves as a comprehensive guidebook for your loved ones in the event you are incapacitated or after you’re gone. It allows your friends and family to focus on what matters most during a difficult time, since you have already established your wishes and laid out procedures for carrying them out. An effective estate plan has contingencies in place for if you become sick, disabled, incapacitated, or more. During the estate planning process, you’ll work with J. Anthony Bradley to address any potential concerns and plan precisely what you wish to happen to all of your assets.
Client Success Stories
Secure Your Family’s Future: The Essential Estate Planning Guide
Estate planning can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Our comprehensive guide breaks down the key elements of an effective estate plan to ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected. From choosing the right documents to avoiding common mistakes, this guide provides step-by-step advice to create a plan that minimizes taxes, saves time, and offers peace of mind. Download now and take the first step toward securing your legacy.
Estate Planning for Every Stage of Life
Estate planning is often thought of as preparing for what happens after death—but a comprehensive plan does far more. It ensures that if you become unable to make decisions due to illness or injury, the right people have the legal authority to act on your behalf and your care preferences are clearly documented.
Consider what happens without a plan in place: if you were suddenly incapacitated, your family might face court proceedings just to manage your finances or make medical decisions. With the right documents—such as powers of attorney and healthcare directives—you maintain control over who speaks for you and how.
A well-crafted estate plan addresses both the expected and the unexpected, giving you and your family clarity and protection at every stage.
With offices in the Bradley Law Building in Germantown, TN, he practices in the area of estate planning, including wills, trusts, special needs planning, elder care planning & protection, VA pension planning (including the VA Aid & Attendance Improved Pension), and probate administration. Anthony’s practice areas also include business law, real estate, and Self-directed IRA’s.
Why Work With an Estate Planning Attorney
Estate planning involves more than filling out forms—it requires understanding how different legal instruments work together and how state laws affect your specific situation. An experienced attorney ensures your documents are properly drafted, legally valid, and structured to achieve your actual goals.
Just as importantly, estate planning isn’t a one-time event. Life changes—marriages, divorces, births, deaths, relocations, and shifts in financial circumstances—can all affect whether your existing plan still reflects your wishes. An attorney can review your documents periodically and recommend updates as your situation evolves, helping you avoid gaps that could create confusion or conflict for your family down the road.
At The Bradley Law Firm, we work with clients to build estate plans that adapt to life’s changes and continue to serve their purposes for years to come.
Why Choose Us?
Protecting People, Not Chasing Money
J. Anthony Bradley considers his first priority to be serving the people of Tennessee. Many attorneys can lose sight of the fact that they’re representing real people and not just “handling estates.” J. Anthony Bradley realizes that everyone who walks into his office is a person with a life, family, concerns, and needs. He enjoys getting to know his clients and using this knowledge to ensure they and their loved ones are protected according to their needs and wishes.
Dedication to Veterans
J. Anthony Bradley is one of the only VA-accredited attorneys in the Mid-South. He takes this responsibility seriously and considers it a special calling to ensure military veterans and their families receive all the benefits to which they’re entitled. He’ll leave no stone unturned in seeking out and obtaining all the money, healthcare, and other privileges you’ve earned.
A Legacy of Excellence
Since his admission to the Mississippi Bar in 1996, J. Anthony Bradley has established a legacy of excellence, representing clients across four states. In these three decades of service, he’s built a reputation as a kind, compassionate, and dedicated attorney who prioritizes client happiness and well-being above all else. Don’t take his word for it—check out client testimonials!
Serving Shelby County and Greater Tennessee
Bradley Law Firm, PLLC, prides itself on being a local firm. Some practices can become “too big for their own good” and seek to churn clients through their office in the name of fast paychecks and quick results. This often translates into nearly anonymous relationships between firms and clients. Estate planning should ideally involve a personal relationship with an attorney who knows you, your family, and your needs. This is the kind of “personal touch” other firms can’t offer—but we can.
A Satisfaction-Oriented Approach
Some attorneys approach estate planning by telling their clients exactly what to do. While most people seek legal advice from attorneys, no one wants to be ordered around about their estate or finances. At Bradley Law Firm, PLLC, you’ll always receive excellent advice- but never orders. J. Anthony Bradley will work with you to develop an estate plan that makes you feel good about your future.
Covering Multiple Needs
Hiring an estate planning attorney is also hiring an attorney to be there for you when you need it. In addition to helping you craft an estate plan, J. Anthony Bradley can also help with Medicaid planning, veterans’ benefits, elder law, and more. Bradley Law Firm PLLC can be your “one-stop” for all your legal needs related to estate planning, inheritance, illness, and aging.
What is a Living Will?
A living will is a key component of an estate plan. It is a set of medical instructions provided to your doctors and any hospital staff in the event you become incapacitated. Incapacitation can mean anything from suffering a stroke to falling into a coma, or simply being too ill to communicate effectively with medical staff. For example, a living will can contain a DNR order. DNR means do not resuscitate. This is an instruction for hospital staff not to try to revive someone in the event they suffer a catastrophic medical emergency. Many people are concerned about their potential quality of life under these circumstances and wish to have a DNR in place to address these concerns. Alternatively, a living will can include which life-saving steps you want to be taken.
Living wills often go hand-in-hand with a power of attorney. Power of attorney (POA) allows you to grant certain special privileges to a trusted family member or friend. Medical power of attorney is a specific type of POA that grants someone the ability to make medical decisions on your behalf. A living will, in conjunction with a medical POA, can empower a trusted associate to ensure your healthcare wishes are followed precisely.
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Protect What Matters Most – Call Us ToDAY
You’ve worked hard to build a life for yourself and the people you love. Estate planning is how you make sure that life, and everything you’ve built, is protected, no matter what the future holds.
Whether you’re planning for retirement, navigating a major life transition, or simply want peace of mind knowing your family won’t be left guessing, the right plan can make all the difference. It’s not just about assets and legal documents. It’s about ensuring your voice is heard, your wishes are honored, and your loved ones aren’t burdened with difficult decisions during an already painful time.
J. Anthony Bradley and his legal team approach estate planning with a compassionate, thoughtful perspective aimed at ensuring Tennessee residents and their families are cared for when it matters most. If you or a loved one needs to estate plan in Tennessee, don’t hesitate to contact our law firm at 901-441-8215 to schedule a consultation.
