Nashville, TN asked in Probate for Tennessee

Q: My mother died 6 years ago leaving me her house. Is there a way to get the deed in my name before the probate complete.

My sister lived in the house here in TN but has since moved to FL. Me and my husband want to renovate it and move in. We need the deed in my name to get the loan for renovations. We were told probate will take up to a year even though my siblings will not contest the will.

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers
Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: What is the question? If the proposed Will is your potential source of title, then that is what you must Probate to get title irregardless how long the process. Be aware there may be Claims and someone has to pay taxes and insurance. And it is usually at least 15 months if a simple Probate. When the Will is Probated, the Devisees take title that day. But most lenders will not lend money until the Estate is closed.

Nina Whitehurst
PREMIUM
Nina Whitehurst pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: It sounds like you already have a probate open, so this question really should be directed to your probate attorney. Your probate attorney will need to ascertain whether the will brought in the house as a probate asset. Some wills do and some wills don't. If the will is silent on this, then the house is NOT a probate asset and you might be able to get it transferred using a simplified process that is a lot quicker than a full probate. If the will did bring the house in as a probate asset, or if the house needs to be sold to pay creditor claims, then you are looking at waiting until the bitter end of the probate. Sorry. This is exactly why I usually recommend trust-based estate plans as opposed to will-based estate plans.

Anthony M. Avery agrees with this answer

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.