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Tennessee Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Probate, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: What is the law concerning heirs and beneficiaries being notified about a trust being created in Tennessee?
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 25, 2023

There is no legal requirement for the settlor of a trust to tell anyone about the trust being created. In fact there are many secret trusts, and oral trusts can sometimes be enforced in TN with clear and convincing evidence. Title searches on properties will often disclose conveyances into a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Affidavit Of Inheritance Papers notarized

Mother passed without a will in TN and left two vehicles in her name. My siblings would like fill out a Affidavit Of Inheritance form without going to probate court. Problem is both of them live in different countries and do not get along with each other. Since we all came to an agreement can I use... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Aug 22, 2023

There is no requirement that one notary public notarize all signatures. However, there is not enough room on the form for more than one notarial affidavit, so one notary public would have to use the notarial affidavit on the form and the other would have to attach a separate notarial affidavit.

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Remainder owner on property deed question?

I am the remainder owner on a property deed and an individual lives in a mobile home on a section of the property and they have the deed to the mobile home. Does the property itself belong to me as I am the remainder owner on deed?

I am asking this question because I was told that if... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 21, 2023

Adverse Possession is very real, especially under color of title. Hire an attorney to search both title. The mobile home may have been an out conveyance before you got an estate. Taxes must be checked closely. You did not mention how many acres or County. A Detainer Warrant or an... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Gov & Administrative Law, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Tennessee on
Q: I have a estate questions in the state of Tennesse

Owner of properties deceased 10 years no probate. No immediate family. Unmarried partner of 40;years lives and pays taxes on all property and upkeep . Is she entitled to property transfer in her name?

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answered on Aug 14, 2023

She might be, yes, but there are facts missing from your description that could make a difference. Plus, it is not automatic. She would have to go to court to prove her claim. She should schedule a consultation with a real estate litigation attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: Will is with probate Judge (I think) How do I know for sure ? My sister is executor and says will with judge . Ok.. so

In the will a sister is willed the contents of our Moms house . 4sibs. 3sibs split the sale of house .

Will still with judge.

Sister who gets contents is time sensitive as to when she can come collect "her inheritance,." She has to go back to work. And she won't be as... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 28, 2023

If the Will is filed for Probate then it is in the Court's file, so check with the Court. If there are sufficient assets involved, you will want to hire an attorney to represent you. Also go to any Court hearings, and ask the Clerk when they are.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Can the person that is the executive over the will sale the house without the ok from other siblings.

Mother passed away left nice house to three daughters one of them executive of will and she just want to sell for whatever. Doesn't all have to agree on price.

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answered on Jul 28, 2023

Has a Will been filed for Probate? If so then read it. If specific real property is devised to the three daughters, then all three own as tenants in common. If not, the executrix may have the authority to sell assets and distribute the net proceeds to all beneficiaries. If she has the power... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: If no will is found what places can y contact to see if maybe one is filed
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 27, 2023

Call any attorneys that the Decedent might have used. Call the County Probate Court where the Decedent lived and check if any Probate proceedings have begun. Look through the Decedent's papers, safes, desks, etc. If nothing else, file an intestate administration in the appropriate County.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Will cleared probate . House to be appraised and sold. Split btwn 3kids. Does the executor have final say in sellinPrice

If it appraises for say 300,000 and some of the kids think can get more money , can executor overide and make unison decision in selling price . Or do we all hafta agree .. Ty

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 27, 2023

Executor of Will has exclusive authority to sell the real property if it is a Probate asset. If not, then heirs at law own the real property. There may be other reasons to possibly file a Motion To Remove

the Fiduciary For Cause. You need to hire an attorney to look into it.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning and Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: Does an executor of estate claim an "OR" car title in the state of TN when the person listed as OR is divorced?

My parent's have a car title with that states my father OR my mother. My father is passed away and divorced from my mother before he passed. My dad also payed off the rest of the loan on the Cadillac car in question after they were divorced and before he passed. Since I, the son, am executor... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Jul 20, 2023

As far as the County Clerk is concerned (that is who handles motor vehicle titles in Tennessee), upon learning of your dad's passing, they will consider your mother to be the owner. That is because it sounds like they never updated the title during the divorce like they (probably) should... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: So my boyfriend passed away and the house we shared is in his name only,he has no will. How long can I stay?

His family is only giving me 6 days to vacate .....

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 18, 2023

The tenants in common will have to file a Detainer Warrant at Sessions Court to remove you. It must be served or posted. You appear in Court, Judgment for Possession issues, and after 10 days if not out, the Sheriff may remove you.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: Tn is State. Thought all wills had to go thru probate unless under 25000$ ? Isn't the signing ,dating , 2 witness and

Notary ENUF for a decision to grant the will?. Do you have to have an AFFADIVID attached to will and yo signature, 2witnesses,and notary saying that you are the people signing the will? (Self proved ?) Why?

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answered on Jul 13, 2023

Will must be witnessed by two disinterested witnesses. The Attestation is just to make it easier to file Probate but not required. If a Will is not filed for Probate, it has no effect regardless of asset value.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Foreclosure for Tennessee on
Q: House was forclosed on. New owner is threathing to remove personal property of an estate immediately. What can we do?

Home owner passed in summer of 2022. Orginal mortgage sold loan after notification of death. Executor didn't get appointed until 9 months later. New mortgage company was unknown. No bill sent. Orginal Mortgage company would not divulge loan company. New company sent 7 months of bills at once... View More

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answered on Jun 14, 2023

If actual payment in full was tendered to the creditor and refused, then arguably it was waived. And a suit to enjoin the foreclosure should have been filed with a bond being posted. Title has merged now, but it might be the basis of a cheaper, but harder, Chancery suit for wrongful foreclosure... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: Mom died in 2011 w/o a will I'm the only child. House is paid for in ms. What do I need to do to get it in my name?

I have continued paying the taxes on this property.i want to sell it

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on May 30, 2023

Hire a MS attorney to search the title, determine heirship, and draft/execute an Affidavit of Heirship to record a s a source of title. This is probably all you can do to make your ownership of record, unless there is a title problem that needs to be cured or litigated.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: my husband just lost his stepdad the will there are 2 items I am curious about

the items are the Primary disposition of estate and the alternate disposition of estate. My mother in law is the only one listed in the primary disposition of estate. My husband , his stepbrother and sister are listed in the alternate disposition of estate. I guess my guess is can she sell the... View More

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answered on May 24, 2023

Is the Will being Probated? If not, it has no effect and StepDad's Heirs and Next Of Kin take (not Husband). From your description, it appears Mother In Law gets all property, as I assume she is alive.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Can I sue the estate of someone who molested me and was convicted. This was almost 25 years ago. He just recently passed

My mother and aunt were in charge of his estate I'm guessing. I have had zero contact since the day I testified. I have always wanted to sue him but was afraid to see him. Now that he is gone, can I sue the estate? Conviction happened in Tennessee. He was a resident and passed in Mississippi.

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answered on May 26, 2023

Looks like he died a MS resident. You might check in County of death as to whether there is a Probate or not. If so, then consult with a MS attorney about possibly filing a claim. But any suit for damages would have to be in TN where attack occurred, and your SOL ran a long time ago.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Civil Rights, Energy, Oil and Gas and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: The electric company will not turn on service. I showed them a will. The house goes to us 3 daughters.

I am one but they will not turn on service even through I'm on oxygen at night. The excudar is my one sister that is still alive. They want her to sign a document saying whe is the owner and I am a tenant. She refused to sign anything. I am in the process of doing the title transfer but in the... View More

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answered on May 17, 2023

If the will is not probated it has no effect, including sister not being an executor. If no will then you might be an heir, so a recorded Affidavit of Heirship might help (both as a source of title and to get the power in your name). Hire an attorney to determine heirship and draft an... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Is my mother or are my two brothers and I entitled to part of insurance money if deceased father was a co-beneficiary?.

My father passed away one week before his brother. The deceased brother , my uncle, had a life insurance policy that listed his three brothers ( including my father) as beneficiaries. After his death one brother made claim and collected the insurance payout for himself and other living uncle.... View More

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answered on May 12, 2023

Insurance Carrier is not required to notify anyone. If Father's Will was probated, then the Mother should have received 1/3 as beneficiary of the Estate of one of the designated beneficiaries. She needs to file a claim with the insurance co., which I suggest be done by an attorney. If no... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: What is the difference between the “establishment date” and the “execution date” on a revocable living trust?

We are trying to get a saving account name changed at a national bank. We gave them a copy of our legal, notarized living trust and they indicated that the “establishment date” and the date the trust was “executed” needed to be the same date. This is the first time this has ever occurred... View More

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answered on May 11, 2023

That is the Bank's own rules. You will need to find another Bank as you will not want to settle the Trust and reexecute another one just for this one account.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: My husband and I are both on second marriages with children. We are buying famliy(mine) land from my parents and I want

to know if there is a way to ensure that my stepchildren can not ever inherit the land that I intend to leave to my children as it has been in our family for several generations.

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answered on Apr 18, 2023

One way to accomplish this is to place the land in a trust during your lifetime. The trust can then be structured to continue after you pass in favor or your children and then your children's children, etc. Or you could place the land in a limited liability company that itself contains... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: If I was left a house in a quit claim deed, does the house count as inherited? How does it affect capital gains taxes?

My uncle's house was listed in the will, but I thought the quit claim deed signed just before he died 4 months ago would keep us out of probate. I'm going through probate anyway since my name wasn't on some accounts (I am the sole inheritor). I'm trying to sell the house but I... View More

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answered on Apr 4, 2023

That is quite unfortunate. If your uncle deeded the house to you during his lifetime, as a lifetime gift, then your basis is the same as whatever his basis was (the amount he paid for it plus capital improvements). This is called carryover basis. If the house has appreciated in value since he... View More

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