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Tennessee Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: During probate how can executor use proceeds from selling house to pay bills.

No assets. After bills paid split 4 ways by will. No bills have been paid title company split 4 ways. One more house. Needs to pay bills then split. How do I do that as an executor.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 24, 2023

Real Property rarely goes through an Estate except to pay filed claims. Hire an attorney to move the Court to order Sale. You will also need the attorney to close the Estate.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: How to fill out a small estate affidavit for a parent involved in litigation at the time of their death?

My father passed a short while ago. In roughly June of last year, he was involved in a vehicle crash at work and was going through the process (rehab, etc.) of settling the lawsuit. Per his lawyer, I would need to open a small estate to settle his case, and he would make a demand once the estate is... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 10, 2023

You should be able to file the Small Estate Affidavit in Chancery or Probate yourself, but if unsure hire an attorney. Bank Accounts and Car are assets. Cause of Action is also an asset, which you should estimate value. Affidavit is for Personal Property under

$ 50K. Some Courts...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Grandmother passed, no will, little assets. Home is still owed on. It's been 30 days

and no one has filled for probate. With little amount of stuff, will this even go to probate? Can the house be transfered to son with a balance still owed?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 27, 2023

If no Will probated, home is owned by heirs as tenants in common, subject to Deed of Trust. But if Note is not paid, foreclosure will occur. After 45 days from death, a

Small Estate Affidavit could be filed if personal property under $ 50K. If Probate is not needed, then do not file....
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Federal Crimes and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: What can be done for siblings who presented a falsified p.o.a to court, bank and social security both parents have passe

Both parents have passed but the poa was submitted to gain access to bank, social security and life insurance plus submitted to court. I want to know as the oldest child and now executor what I can do to have them accountable for their actions?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 19, 2023

If you have evidence that your siblings have submitted a falsified Power of Attorney (POA) to gain access to your parents' assets, you may want to consult with an attorney who specializes in estate law to discuss your legal options.

One potential course of action may be to challenge...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate, Criminal Law and Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: My dad passed and my mother had dementia, severe no wills but I had two of my younger siblings present a falsified p.o.a

They presented it to the bank, social security what legal actions can I do to charge them if any accountability on their part for doing this? I am the oldest as well as the executor of the estate

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Mar 18, 2023

You can file a petition to nullify the POA due to your mother’s lack of capacity, which you can prove with medical records and doctor testimony.

After the POA is nullified, you can file a petition for the appointment of a conservator for her. The conservator will be required to account...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Is there an obligation for my sister to sign a contract and if she refuses, would that be her forfeiting her claim?

My mom passed in October and didn’t leave a will. Me and my two older sisters, of course, inherit her house. The oldest has her own home and doesn’t want any ownership. Me and the middle daughter were living in the home with my mother, and are now. We had agreed to sign a contract pertaining to... View More

Mr. James Charles Wright
Mr. James Charles Wright
answered on Mar 10, 2023

I am sorry for the loss of your mother.

I am assuming you are correct that you and your two sisters inherited the house. Based upon this the three sisters have an undivided 1/3 interest in the property. I understand you and a sister live in the house. The third sister owns an interest...
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3 Answers | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Great Aunt died in 2003 and just heard I was in Her will, How can I find out if it's true or not

She is said to have left Me a house and land

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Mar 6, 2023

Call the probate court in the county in which your aunt had lived to see if a probate has been opened. If yes, request a copy of the petition and her will and the letters of administration and the final order of distribution. Also search the land records with respect to the properties in question.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Is there a statue of limitations on keeping a small estate probate case opened in TN? Was opened on 2/3/21.

Estate was less than $10,000 cash + personality. Home/property etc was already deeded to us girls.

Lawyer took it thru probate as a Large estate and it has not be closed yet nor been distributed.

Any advice? Thank you

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 2, 2023

Usually a Small Estate Affidavit closes without any Court proceeding. Read the Court File closely.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Probate, Elder Law and Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: How can I file charges against a brother and sister that removed and sold cars titled to dad mom is still alive.

Auto,s guns and much more taken an sold . They are taking from my mom which is elderly but is of sound mind herself

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Feb 13, 2023

First you would need to get yourself appointed as the executor or personal administrator of your dad's estate. Then you would be tasked with marshalling your dad's assets and if some of them were stolen then you could file lawsuits against the thieves for return of the assets or the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: dad recently passed away. he has a checking account with no beneficiary. How can I probate to get access to his account?

He is survived by his living wife but she has multiple sclerosis and is living and being cared for in a nursing home. I have power of attorney over her. How can I get access to deposit, withdraw or close out my dads checking account?

Do I need to retain a lawyer?

What is the usual... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Feb 8, 2023

The answer depends on a lot of factors that are not given in your question. What is the value of the account? Did your dad have a will or no will? Did your dad leave any OTHER assets that need to be retitled? For a reliable answer, my best advice is you should schedule a consultation with a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Can a life tenant cut down trees to sell as firewood for profit in tennessee?

Is that considered as waste?

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Feb 5, 2023

There is no simple one-size-fits-all answer to your question. It might be waste. It might not be waste. Sometimes cutting down trees constitutes an improvement to the property. Other times not. And improvement or not is not the only factor that must be considered.

To answer your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: If my Great uncle passed in 2005 and states that he left no heirs could I step up and claim

A partition has been done[2023]. I'm 40 years old born in 82 and uncle died in 2005.

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answered on Feb 6, 2023

If you believe you are an Heir, then move to intervene in the Partition Suit immediately. Apparently the Plaintiff does not think you are one of the Heirs so he did not sue you. Be prepared to prove you are actually an Heir under the Intestacy Statute.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: If I am the sole beneficiary of a will and also the executor of the estate can I use the funds before probate ends?
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jan 26, 2023

I do not recommend you use any assets that are subject to Probate Jurisdiction until the Estate is closed and the funds are properly distributed to you. Otherwise it would be a breach of fiduciary duty, or there might be a late filed Estate Claim, another Will filed, etc.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Can lies change a Judge's mind? How many?

A Judge is in favor of granting a decision for a plaintiff/defendant. If a party can prove that the adverse party has lied under oath multiple times could that change a Judge's mind? If it can change a Judge's mind how many lies should be provided to the Judge in order to do so?

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answered on Jan 23, 2023

Credibility of a witness may always be challenged, but that does not mean the other side wins. Hire an attorney to represent you. In Probate Court there sometimes are no actual hearings. Motions and other pleadings must be filed to even raise issues before the Court.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: My fiancé passed, no will, we own a home but only he was on the loan, both on the deed. Do I have to go thru probate?

He had no will, but I was beneficiary to life and 401k and deed on house is specific. At the time of passing his father was still alive and his sister was trying to contest everything. She told me she was requesting executorship of estate through probate court. Since we were not married, I had no... View More

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answered on Jan 16, 2023

Your Deed is very important but you have not stated what the granting clause is, that is who owns it. You might own 1/2 , a fee or nothing. If you own an interest, a Partition Action might really work for you in Chancery Court. You probably had no interest in the other assets.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: What do I do about my husband's death without a will in TN?

What is probate and is it required in TN?

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Jan 16, 2023

If everything your husband owned was owned jointly with you, then most likely it was owned as tenants by the entirety and you are now the sole owner by operation of law. Most of the time all you have to do to remove your husband's name from those titles is provide a death certificate to the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Mother bought a house with her husband, she passed in 2022, will his son get the house or am I entitled to mothers 50% ?

Husband is not my father, he has moved his son and wife in, and I think he’s priming the situation, to give his son the property at his death, as he is not as responsible as myself.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jan 10, 2023

It depends on the Title. If she bought it as tenants by the entirety, then surviving spouse owns the fee. If she owned individually, you might own one half as an Heir unless she devised it elsewhere. Hire a TN attorney to search the Title.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Law on estate in probate and sibling has taken quite a bit from home like family pictures and furniture which has sold?

She has taken all family pictures, mowers, dads truck . What is law now that I’m executor to retrieve photos so I can give to other sisters and the items taken day after my mom passed?

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Dec 30, 2022

As the court-appointed executor, you have right to demand and receive all items stolen from the estate. You might need to hire an attorney to help you with this if the thief does not voluntarily return them.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: My cousin has passed in Tennessee, with no will. 1 uncle and 7 1st cousins are all that remain of the family who inherit

My cousin on my fathers side of the family passed away with no spouse, or children. His parents and grandparents are also deceased. There are no brothers, sisters, nieces, or nephews to this person. According to his family tree he had 1 aunt and 3 uncles on his fathers side with only one surviving.... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Dec 28, 2022

There is not enough information in your recitation of facts to answer your question.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Do you need two witnesses if you have your will notarized?
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answered on Dec 18, 2022

Yes you need two witnesses, even if your will is notarized (two witnesses are mandatory, notary is optional but recommended), unless your will is entirely in your own handwriting.

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