Athens, TN asked in Estate Planning and Civil Litigation for Tennessee

Q: If someone lied about the existence of a will and we found out just now which is12 years later, can we sue due to anyth

We were told there was no will on a million dollar estate. Stepmother just told us a week ago there was a hand written will. No will was ever filed nor shown to us. We got ripped off. State is Tennessee

2 Lawyer Answers
T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: In Tennessee, if you believe someone lied about the existence of a will, potentially depriving you of your rightful inheritance, you may have legal options. If your stepmother intentionally concealed the handwritten will to benefit herself, it could be considered fraud, allowing you to sue for damages. If she was the executor, her act might be seen as a breach of fiduciary duty. If the handwritten will is invalid or cannot be found, intestacy laws may still entitle you to a portion of the inheritance. To pursue a claim, gather evidence of intentional concealment, consider the validity of the handwritten will, and be aware of the six-year statute of limitations for fraud in Tennessee, requiring you to file a lawsuit within six years of discovering the deception.

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • Knoxville, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: Property Torts are 3 year SOLs. You might be able to toll the SOL due to fraud. But most importantly, the intestate estate assets may be gone by now. Hopefully land is still around. Also it is a felony to suppress a Will (with a longer SOL), but the burden of proof is substantial.

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.