Kane Shepard Law in Chattanooga: Estate Planning That Handles Trusts and Powers of Attorney

Kane Shepard Law is a solo estate planning practice in Chattanooga focused on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and related documents for individuals and families who want a structured plan outside probate. The firm works primarily on a flat-fee basis rather than hourly billing, making costs predictable for clients who know what they need upfront.

What Kane Shepard Law Actually Handles

This practice centers on foundational documents that keep property out of probate and ensure decisions flow to designated people if the client becomes incapacitated. That includes revocable living trusts (the primary vehicle for probate avoidance in Tennessee), simple and complex wills, durable powers of attorney for healthcare and finances, and HIPAA authorizations. The firm does not handle litigation, business formation, tax planning, or investment advice; those matters are referred elsewhere. Kane Shepard Law operates as a solo practice, meaning the owner handles most client work directly rather than delegating to paralegals or junior attorneys.

Services and Flat-Fee Pricing

Flat fees for common packages are the centerpiece of how Kane Shepard Law prices work. A basic will typically costs between $250 and $500 depending on complexity and whether minor children require a guardian designation. A revocable living trust package (the document most people need to avoid probate) ranges from $800 to $1,500 and includes the trust itself, a pour-over will, and a durable power of attorney for finances. Adding healthcare power of attorney and HIPAA documents to any package costs $150 to $250 extra. Verify current rates by calling the office; prices can shift, but the structure has remained flat-fee for several years.

The advantage of flat fees is certainty. A client knows before signing that a living trust will cost, say, $1,200, not accumulate hourly charges over months. The trade-off is that highly unusual circumstances (unusual property ownership, blended families with contested dynamics, out-of-state assets requiring separate trusts) may be quoted separately or referred to a larger firm.

How Kane Shepard Law Compares to Other Chattanooga Estate Attorneys

Chattanooga has several estate planning options. Lane, Brooks & Spellman, a larger firm with multiple attorneys, offers estate planning alongside probate litigation and elder law; flat fees apply, but rates trend higher ($1,500 to $3,000 for a basic trust package) because the firm carries overhead of multiple attorneys and staff. Sollars Law handles wills and trusts but works on hourly billing ($250 to $350 per hour), which suits complex estates but leaves costs uncertain for straightforward cases. Online services such as LegalZoom and Nolo charge $150 to $400 for DIY documents without attorney review; they are suitable only if the client has minimal assets and no dependents and accepts the risk of mistakes.

Choose Kane Shepard Law if you have a simple structure (one home, modest investments, clear heirs) and want an attorney's signature and review at a predictable cost. Choose Lane, Brooks & Spellman if you have multistate assets, a family business, or estate tax concerns and need deeper expertise. Use Sollars Law if you anticipate multiple rounds of revisions and are comfortable with hourly billing. Skip the online forms unless your situation is genuinely trivial.

Who This Practice Suits and Who It Does Not

Kane Shepard Law works best for Chattanooga families who own a house, have a 401(k) or savings, name one or two adult heirs, and want to keep property moving to those heirs without probate court. It also suits retirees in that category and parents of minor children who need a clear guardian and trustee structure. The flat-fee model is particularly attractive if you know exactly what you need (for instance, "revocable living trust and healthcare power of attorney") before the first call.

It does not suit clients with a second marriage and children from multiple relationships who need to protect one child's inheritance from another; those families need a more specialized approach to trust language and often choose a larger firm. It also does not work for anyone who needs ongoing tax planning, investment coordination, or business succession planning. If your assets or family structure require explanation and multiple back-and-forth conversations, hourly billing at another firm may be a better fit than flat fees.

What the First Visit or Call Involves

Contact Kane Shepard Law to schedule an initial consultation. The firm typically conducts this by phone or in-office; many clients complete a questionnaire beforehand listing assets, heirs, and current documents. During the consultation, the attorney explains what a revocable living trust does, whether it makes sense for your situation, and what else you might need (powers of attorney, HIPAA forms). At the end, you receive a quote for the full package. If you proceed, you sign a fee agreement, the attorney prepares drafts, and you return to sign final documents in the office (some practices now offer remote notarization for out-of-state clients, so confirm what applies to you). The timeline from first call to signed documents is typically 2 to 4 weeks if you respond promptly to questionnaires.

Hours and Logistics

Kane Shepard Law maintains standard business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The office is located in the Chattanooga area; confirm the exact address when you call, as physical location can change. Street parking or a small lot is typically available. Many consultations happen by phone, so travel is not always required for initial conversation. Verify current hours when booking; holiday schedules vary.

A solo practice means fewer appointment slots than larger firms, so schedule several weeks ahead for non-urgent matters. Kane Shepard Law accepts checks, credit cards, and online payment methods; confirm what applies when you receive your fee quote.

Why Kane Shepard Law Matters in Chattanooga

Most Chattanooga residents die without a revocable living trust in place, allowing their estates into probate and delaying distribution to heirs by months. Kane Shepard Law removes that friction for a fixed, transparent fee, putting control squarely in the client's hands instead of the court system. For a two-income household or retiree in the greater Chattanooga area with a straightforward family picture, this practice delivers the paperwork that matters most at a price that does not shock.