Clarksville, TN asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee

Q: My mother had a second will drawn up leaving her entire estate to me as she did in the first one.

The second will stated I owned the house but the first said I could live there as long as I wanted but if sold proceeds divided between me and my siblings. The siblings disowned my mother and haven't seen her in five years. The first will was signed and she died before the second was signed. What do I do?

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: A will is not valid until it is signed and properly witnessed. From your question, it is clear there is no "second" will as she died before signing it. The first ( and apparently only ) will controls what happens to her assets.

There is no requirement that there be a good relationship between the parties in order to inherit, all that matters is what the will says.

Lynn Newcomb agrees with this answer

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