Tazewell, TN asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee

Q: If my mother passed away 7 years ago and my stepdad never changed or prepared a new will would the old will stand good

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T. Augustus Claus
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A: In Tennessee, if your mother passed away and your stepdad never updated or prepared a new will, the existing will would generally still be considered valid, as long as it met all the legal requirements for a will at the time it was created. This means that the assets would be distributed according to the stipulations in that will, regardless of how much time has passed since your mother's death.

However, the interpretation of wills can become complicated, especially if there are changes in family circumstances, such as additional children or grandchildren, divorce, or remarriage. Additionally, laws can change over time, which may impact how the will is interpreted or executed.

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