Q: I am heir to an estate of my friend that left his 2 dogs to me. The section of the will that would detail the money to
care for what he called his "boys" is missing. He left a voicemail stating he is leaving money to last the rest of their lives. 15 years life left for Butch and 2.5 for Bear. These of course are guesstimates. Where can I get reports , scientific or previous cases similar to mine to show the courts future costs I will have to endure. I have change my whole life for his dogs. His nephew only offered 5000 which won't even cover a year.. please help... how can I find similar cases to be fair to myself as well as the estate. I have no proof he offered money for myself to do such a responsible request so I know the court may not entertain that portion but I do have the recording for the money he was leaving for the dogs. I am having to face this pro se as it was not something that any lawyer in Tenn. could take on.
A: The audio recording of a bequest is not enforceable. Only the written Will that is probated can be enforced. Apparently you have made a very serious mistake in assuming you were an "heir" and taking it upon yourself to care for Estate assets. If there is a funded Trust for the benefit of certain animals where a Trustee has the money, then that would be different. Only oral real property Resulting Trusts could be enforced, and that is rare.
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