Q: My sister died with out a will -- there is some dispute over the estate - who will decide who gets what?
A: if your sister was a Tennessee resident at the time of her death, then Tennessee law will control who inherits from her. For most people, the primary beneficiaries are the surviving spouse and children, if any. Your question doesn't provide enough information about her heirs to be specific, but its usually the closest "kin." If there is any dispute, a judge will decided, but the process should begin by someone ( a close relative, usually) going to the court clerk's office and filing a request to be named "administrator" of the dead person's estate. Its the administrator's job to take over for the deceased and finish his/her business, pay their debts, pay their funeral, and then distribute whatever's left. You can always represent yourself, but its clearly best to have an experienced lawyer help you through the process.
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