Michael R. Crowder
Michael R. Crowder, Esq.
Shareholder
Estate Planning and Trust, Probate, and Estate Administration and Litigation
Michael R. Crowder helps his clients plan for life. He enjoys teaming up with his clients to formulate an estate plan that meets their wants and needs, and takes pride in creating wills and trusts that reflect his clients’ values and give them peace of mind regarding their legacy. Michael works hard to ensure that his clients’ assets are best utilized during their life and then smoothly passed along at death, taxes are minimized, protection from creditors is maximized, charitable intentions are fulfilled, and, most importantly, that loved ones are provided for.
In 2025, Michael was recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Elder Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates. Then began when Michael was recognized in the inaugural Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for 2021 and again in 2022 -2024 in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. He was also recognized as One to Watch in the practice area of Tax Law in 2022-2024, as well as in Elder Law and Nonprofit/Charities Law in 2023 and 2024.
Michael was recognized by Cityview Magazine as Top Attorney in Knoxville in the practice areas of Estate Planning/Trusts and Wills/Probate in 2021-2024, as well as in Elder Law and Taxation for 2022-2024.
Michael also assists personal representatives in the administration of estates in probate court and routinely handles conflicts that arise during estate administration, whether by ensuring that the wishes of the deceased are carried out or that heirs receive what is due them in a timely manner.
Michael is a member of the Knoxville Estate Planning Council.
Elder Law
Michael particularly appreciates being an advocate for his elderly clients. He assists them in planning for, applying for, and remaining eligible for Medicaid, VA, SSI, and other benefits. He has won multiple hard-fought appeals for his clients' TennCare and SSI benefits. He also helps them negotiate, or, if necessary, litigate family disputes over property rights or other issues. Additionally, he helps clients obtain and administer conservatorships for their disabled loved ones.
Cityview Magazine has recognized Michael as a Top Attorney in Knoxville for Elder Law in 2018, 2020-2021, and 2023-2024. In 2023 and 2024, he was also recognized for Taxation.
Michael is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
Other Practice Areas
He also helps his small business and non-profit clients on issues ranging from formation and governance, taxes, contracts, fundraising, employment issues, property rights, and litigation.
About Michael
Michael was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 2014. He is also a member of the Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) and Tennessee Bar Association (TBA).
Michael and his wonderful wife, Katey, have three children, Henry and Lucy. When he's not with his clients, you can usually find Michael with his family working on a new project for their 90-year-old house in north Knoxville.
Education
Michael received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2014. He also received a Master of Law (LL.M.) in Estate Planning and Elder Law from Western New England University School of Law in 2018. Before attending law school, Michael received his 2011 undergraduate degree in Religion from Princeton University, where he studied the history of early Christianity and played offensive line on the football team.
Publications
Newsletter Contributions and Articles
- What's the Fuss with GRATs? | KMF Newsletter: Spring 2022
- Creating Trusts in Uncertain times | KMF Newsletter: Fall 2022
- Tennessee's Marital Asset Protection ('MAP') Trust
- Recent Changes to Trust and Estate Laws in Tennessee | KMF Newsletter: Summer 2019
- Is Tennessee's Income Taxation of Trusts Constitutional?
- Overview of the New Tax Deduction for Pass-Through Business Owners | KMF Newsletter: Spring 2018
- What is Planned Giving? | KMF Newsletter: Fall 2017
- Protecting Assets from Creditors via the "TIS Trust" | KMF Newsletter: Spring 2017
- Remain Qualified for Government Benefits Using Self-Settled Special Needs Trusts | KMF Newsletter: Fall 2016
- ABLE Accounts | KMF Newsletter: Summer 2016
- Estate Planning to Avoid Probate | KMF Newsletter: Spring 2016
- Social Security COLA and Increasing Medicare Part B Premiums | KMF Newsletter: Winter 2016
- Proposed Rules on Faith-Based Social Services | KMF Newsletter: Fall 2015
- An Introduction to the Ministerial Exception | KMF Newsletter: June 2015
- Social Security for Married Couples | KMF Newsletter: Spring 2015
- Churches and the FMLA's New Definition of "Spouse" | KMF Newsletter: April 2015
Speaking Engagements
- Michael regularly gives presentations on topics related to his practice areas. If you would like Michael to speak to your group, please contact him. Some of his recent speaking engagements include:
- “Ethics in Probate Practice,” National Business Institute, December 2017
- “Administering the Estate Effectively,” National Business Institute, August 2017
- “Using Irrevocable Trusts to Qualify for Medicaid and VA Benefits,” National Business Institute, November 2016
- “Medicaid Estate Recovery Rules, Remedies and Appeals,” National Business Institute, August 2016
- “Social Security Retirement Benefits: Looking at the Big Picture to Benefit Your Client,” Tennessee Attorneys Memo, May 2016
- “The Nuts and Bolts of Social Security Retirement Benefits,” TBA Court Square Series, July 2015
