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Tennessee Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: Tennessee resident was killed in an auto accident in Nebraska, can his NOK (son) file a small estate affidavit in TN. ?

assuming the estate qualifies

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Sep 27, 2017

Probate (of whatever form) is proper where the deceased resided at the time of death. If he was a TN resident, then TN is the place to file whatever paperwork is appropriate. There may also need to be something filed ELSEWHERE too (eg a personal injury lawsuit, or something dealing with out of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Elder Law for Tennessee on
Q: My mother passed away 17 months ago from complications of Alzhiemers. I was her caregiver and still presently reside in

her home, while trying to recover from P.T.S.D. due to 2 years of 24/7 caregiving with zero assistance from any of my 5 siblings. She had a trust. I am one of two (2) executors on her trust. Now the other executor (my half brother) is filing suit for me to pay rent from the time of her death and... View More

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Sep 13, 2017

Sorry, but there is no easy answer. You don't have any rights by virtue of having lived there so long ( this was simply by consent of your mother- she could have charges you rent if she wanted to, but apparently she didn't) .

Now that she has passed, the terms of the trust will...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: A will leaves property to an adult child upon death, but grants lifetime estate to the spouse. Who's the owner?

Property was owned prior to marriage and never deeded jointly, Will not probated, but notarized by lawyer, per will, property transfers upon death. Who is currently the legal owner, spouse or adult child?

Vincent Gallo
Vincent Gallo
answered on Sep 8, 2017

Firstly, the will needs to be probated and accepted before one can answer this question.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: If there are 4 names on a property deed that was giving to all 4 persons an one dies is the kid of the dead person

Intitled to there part in the state of tennessee it was not willed nor inherited the person just gave it to them because they wanted those 4 people to have it an the person that died did not will there part

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Aug 23, 2017

The wording of the deed to the 4 people will control. If the deed contains wording referring to "rights of survivorship" then only the surviving members of the original 4 own it. However, this wording ( joint tenants with rights of survivorship) has to be clearly stated in the document.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Elder Law and Landlord - Tenant for Tennessee on
Q: Son and girlfriend moved in uninvited there is no lease how to remove it's been 3 years

They use injection drugs in my house police say need an eviction notice I live off disability

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 10, 2017

You will need to file a Detainer Warrant in General Sessions immediately, requesting "For Possession Only". There is a three year Statute of Limitations on Unlawful Detainers, but it is up to them to raise the issue. After Judgment if they are still there you will have to request a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: How can my husband remove his deceased sisters name from deed. Both are on deed

He's paid all taxes and upkeep for 15 years she passed 7 years ago. Can we even sale the home?

Mr. James Charles Wright
Mr. James Charles Wright
answered on Aug 7, 2017

Your question raises more questions. For instance, did the sister have a will; did she have children or a spouse; were her parents still living? He will need to speak to any attorney to help in regard to the ability to transfer the property. It's possible to work through but without doing... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: If someone uses money from a minor that they inherited without their knowledge do they have a case against them?

My friend inherited money when her dad passed away and wasn't told about it by the person who was managing it. The person managing it used it without her knowledge to pay for things. Wondering if she could possibly sue this person and have a case?

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Jul 27, 2017

Yes, there is definitely a case for "breach of fiduciary duty" if the facts are as you described. If the minor has now reached adulthood, they only have a limited time to bring the suit. Consult an experienced lawyer asap.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: Hello my dad passed on 2 yrs ago

my sister and other brother have been up keeping the estate that my other brother thinks he is getting everything but i have paid the taxes onthe land we have ask him a number of times if he is helping and have not gotten replay. all he wants us to do is quick claim to him. my qest is since he is... View More

Ben F Meek III
Ben F Meek III
answered on Jul 22, 2017

If your father had no Will when he died, the three of you will probably be co-owners in equal shares of the land and anything else he solely owned. One of you will probably have to open a probate case in order to transfer title to the three of you. You may be able to recover the amount you paid in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: I am sole beneficiary of a trust in TN. A cousin is Trustee and has not acted in my best interest, how do I remove her?

Her house is being rented to family at a reduced rate and they have gone past agreed time.

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Jul 18, 2017

It will require court action- if the trust was part of a will, then file a petition in the estate ( or to re-open a closed estate ) and explain/list the things which the Trustee has done wrong/failed to do. If there was no estate, you simply going to have to file a lawsuit explaining the same... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: My father has been sued and they are after his assets, which are comprised of my inheritance. What can I do to stop

What can I do to stop this from happening? Can I sue them to prevent this?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 19, 2017

You do not own an "inheritance". At your Father's death, his Heirs and Next Of Kin take at that time. Your Father may be able to protect some assets, and exempt others if a money judgment goes down. Bankruptcy is sometimes a solution. The Exemption Statutes should be consulted... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: As executrix of my aunts estate, I'm confused about who I turn my expenses in to and how they should be organized.

The lawyer that did my aunts will is not returning phone calls so I have no idea how to proceed. I have a list of travel expenses (I'm in TX and had to make several trips to TN to handle aunts estate). How do I recoup my money? Who do I turn the receipts in to? Do I just submit receipts and... View More

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Jul 3, 2017

Reasonable fees and expenses incurred in the administration of the estate are a priority expense of the estate, and this includes attorneys fees incurred by the executor in helping the executor complete the administration. Keep your receipts, you may need to file them with the court clerk as part... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: As executrix of my aunt's estate, what do I do if I can't locate a person she named in her will?

I've checked Facebook, phonebook Etc and no luck finding this person. I'm in Texas and this person is in Tennessee, no idea what my next step should be. She left him 25% of her estate and I want to see that he gets it.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 3, 2017

There are numerous ways to search for missing legatees and devisees. Private Investigators, classified ads, and my favorite, title searches in various Counties, are just a few. As the Executor, it is your fiduciary duty to find the named beneficiary or those that take by representation. It is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: My sister died with out a will -- there is some dispute over the estate - who will decide who gets what?
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Jun 26, 2017

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,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: Is there anyway for a spouse to dictate in a will how a surviving spouse handles the inherited money?

My dad has a lump sum of money that they pull interest off of to live on in retirement, but he's in poor health and my mom has some substance abuse/alcohol problems and his concern is that she'll squander it all when he's no longer around to oversee her. Can he dictate that she... View More

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Jun 20, 2017

A surviving spouse has certain special rights, more so than a child or any other relative. Discussion of those rights ( homestead, exempt property, elective share and years support) will require more than can be provided in this question and answer format. For sure, he should have a will and name a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Small Claims for Tennessee on
Q: I just found out that my brother went and dug up my mother's ashes. What is my rights to pressing charges on him..

I was the Beneficiary over her, and also I was the power of attorney over her too... Can you tell me what my rights are on pressing charges againt him...

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on May 21, 2017

The power of attorney is meaningless now, it was only applicable during her lifetime. If you were the executor, you had the duty of following her will ( if any) and making funeral arrangements. However, I don't think you need any special relationship or authority to prosecute. Call your local... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: If a farm has been inherited by a group of family members and a right of way has been agreed upon,are they required to

allowed any member access to their piece of property regardless of where it falls or whose land it crosses?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on May 18, 2017

It sounds like your family divided up the farm into separate tracts by a survey, which should have included easements from a road to the various tracts. If not, hopefully each deed has some sort of right of way term in each legal description. Otherwise an easement by implication, necessity... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Tennessee: Will/Estate Executor's asset distribution being challenged by sibling

My wife is one of four siblings and the executor of her mother's will. Her mother just passed away leaving a "will" (done through an attorney 8 years ago) which simply states that my wife is to distribute assets however she decides (no list of who gets what). Her estate = $40k... View More

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on May 16, 2017

If the one child received 17 acres and a truck and/or boat, there will be a written record of those transfers ( a deed for the land and title certificates for the truck,etc). This would be written documents supporting the verbal instructions your wife received. To protect your wife from claims of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: Can you explain what it means to be named a sole heir at law, but not a beneficiary in a will?
Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Apr 28, 2017

It means that while you would have inherited if there were no will, but because you were not named in the will that won't happen.

-- This answer is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney/client relationship.

I am...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: My mother had a second will drawn up leaving her entire estate to me as she did in the first one.

The second will stated I owned the house but the first said I could live there as long as I wanted but if sold proceeds divided between me and my siblings. The siblings disowned my mother and haven't seen her in five years. The first will was signed and she died before the second was signed.... View More

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Apr 25, 2017

A will is not valid until it is signed and properly witnessed. From your question, it is clear there is no "second" will as she died before signing it. The first ( and apparently only ) will controls what happens to her assets.

There is no requirement that there be a good...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Elder Law for Tennessee on
Q: Hello - is the 2015 Tennessee Code the most recent? I need the State's requirements on holographic wills.

I would like a list of the State of Tennessee's minimum legal requirements for holographic wills. I am gathering information for my grandmother who has indicated that she plans to write her will by hand.

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Apr 3, 2017

The Tennessee Code is updated every year. There are hundreds of amendments every year, to many sections. You need to make sure you have the most current supplement, which at this time is probably 2016. ( The 2017 amendments will not be completed and published until the end of this legislative... View More

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