About Sara Thomas: A Different Kind of Estate Planning Attorney

At August Law PLLC, our foundation is built on a deep commitment to serving families in Franklin, TN. We offer a heart-centered approach to estate planning. This philosophy is embodied by our founder and lead attorney, Sara Thomas. Her journey to becoming an estate planning expert is unique. It's shaped not just by extensive legal training, but by profound personal experiences and a steadfast dedication to doing law differently.

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My Path to Purpose:
A Lawyer Built on Proactive Service

"They educate a different kind of lawyer." This saying from Notre Dame Law School resonated deeply with me. It shaped the genesis of my career. I chose law believing it was a powerful way to make a meaningful mark on the world.

My early legal experiences in public interest, including legal aid and prison services, were valuable. Yet, they revealed the frustrations of reactive legal work. I was perpetually fixing problems after the worst had happened. I sought a path that was proactive, preventative, and truly helped people build a better future.

Subsequent years in business law and litigation reinforced this desire. The billable hour felt like a barrier, hindering open client communication. Litigation itself was inherently stressful for everyone. I yearned for a legal practice that was positive, preventative, and genuinely served the community's best interests.

Finding My Calling in Estate Planning

After homeschooling my children and serving as counsel for a nonprofit, I deeply missed direct, personal service. My work in Title IX, while significant, limited me to advising, not advocating. I asked myself: “What legal field allows me to offer meaningful, direct service, act proactively, advocate fiercely, and truly make the world better?”

Estate planning checked every single one of those boxes. However, I recognized that traditional estate planning often fell short. My own family's experiences ultimately became the catalyst for a fundamentally different approach to this vital practice area.

Lessons Forged by Life: Redefining Estate Planning

My understanding of effective estate planning isn't merely academic. It's forged from direct, often challenging, personal experiences. These moments illuminated critical gaps in conventional legal services, driving me to create a better way for my clients.

The Human Cost of Unplanned Inheritance: My Family's Story

I witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of unclear inheritance when my mother and aunt inherited property from my grandmother. Without a clear plan, questions of management and access led to a decade-long rift between them. This personal ordeal underscored two critical lessons:

Understanding Family Dynamics is Paramount: Effective planning must go beyond legal structures. It must acknowledge and address potential conflicts rooted in complex family relationships, including blended families, siblings, and extended relatives.
Creative Solutions Prevent Conflict: There are many thoughtful ways to structure ownership and inheritance. These can avoid forcing individuals who may not get along to co-own property, preventing future disputes

The Pitfalls of Incomplete Plans:
My Father's Revocable Living Trust

My father had a Revocable Living Trust—a seemingly sound plan. Yet, it failed to fully avoid probate. This was due to assets never being properly "funded" or titled into the trust. His attorneys, despite significant fees, never ensured this crucial step was completed. This taught me that:

Funding Is Non-Negotiable: A plan is only as good as its implementation. Ensuring all assets are correctly titled to align with the estate plan is an essential, often overlooked, step.
Ongoing Review is Vital: My father's plan was not updated after selling his business, causing confusion and potential disputes for me as his fiduciary. Estate planning is not a "one-and-done" event; it requires regular review to reflect life changes, asset shifts, and evolving laws.
Open Communication Prevents Misunderstandings: My father never discussed his wishes with his wife, leading to post-mortem dissatisfaction. Clients must communicate their intentions with spouses, fiduciaries, and adult beneficiaries to ensure everyone understands their roles and provisions.
Define Legacy Beyond Financial Assets: My father, a deeply charitable man, had no charitable giving in his plan. This highlighted the importance of discussing a client's full legacy – values, philanthropic desires, and how they wish to be remembered – integrating these into the legal framework.
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My Own Client Experience:
A Catalyst for Comprehensive Service

Eighteen years ago, as new parents, my husband and I sought our own estate plan. The attorney provided generic, "cut-and-paste" documents without discussing our specific assets or educating us on our options. This experience was a critical turning point. It highlighted vital elements often missing from traditional practices:

Comprehensive Asset Tracking: We were left without a clear record of our assets, a problem also encountered with my father's estate. It's crucial that fiduciaries know what you have and where it is. My practice addresses this proactively.
Client Education: We were not informed about different planning tools or their pros and cons. I believe clients deserve full education to make truly informed decisions for their families.
Facilitating Fiduciary Communication: We never informed our nominated long-term guardian of her role. I now ensure all fiduciaries are aware, comfortable, and formally accept their responsibilities.
Addressing Short-Term Child Protection: With no family nearby, our children could have entered protective custody had something happened. This drove me to develop the crucial Kids Protection Plan, covering immediate guardianship, caregiver instructions, and medical powers of attorney for minors.
Emphasizing Maintenance: We were never told that estate planning requires ongoing updates. This led to a decade with an outdated plan. I am committed to educating clients on the necessity of regular plan reviews.

My Promise: Heart-Centered, Proactive Estate Planning

These collective experiences shaped August Law PLLC into what it is today. I am proud to be part of the Personal Family Lawyer network, a group of estate planning attorneys nationwide committed to a "heart-centered" approach. This means:

More Than Documents: We provide genuine education, comprehensive advice, and compassionate guidance throughout the entire planning process and beyond.
Empathetic Communication: We prioritize listening to you, truly understanding your unique values, family dynamics, and deepest concerns.
Proactive Protection: We focus on preventing future problems, meticulously ensuring your plan works precisely when your family needs it most.
Comprehensive Asset Organization: We help you track and organize all your assets, ensuring your fiduciaries can easily access them.
Robust Kids Protection Planning: We implement detailed plans to safeguard your children immediately and for the long-term.
Legacy Beyond Wealth: We help you pass down not just financial assets, but your invaluable intangible legacy—your stories, values, and life lessons—through our unique Legacy Interview process, ensuring your voice and wisdom endure.

I believe in empowering you to make the right decisions for your family. My goal is to build a relationship where you feel heard, understood, and completely confident that your loved ones and your legacy are secure.

Connect with Sara Thomas and August Law PLLC

Ready to build an estate plan that truly reflects your values and protects your family's future? Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

615-914-1350

Contact Information

Have questions or ready to begin your living trust creation? Contact August Law PLLC!

(615) 914-1350
Info@augustlawpllc.com
Business Hours: Mon-Fri  8AM-8PM
321 Billingsly Court, Suite 23, Franklin, TN 37064
August Law PLLC

August Law offers a full spectrum of estate planning services tailored to your individual needs and goals.

Contact Us
321 Billingsly Court, Suite 23, Franklin, TN 37064
Mon-Fri  8AM-8PM
(615) 914-1350
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