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Tennessee Estate Planning Questions & Answers
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

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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 Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: Joint ownership, one died and left life estate, does the owner left alive have total control over land?

My grandmother and great aunt had a joint ownership on some land, my great aunt passed away and left a life estate for her husband with no further details as to what he can do with it. Does my grandmother have total control over the land?

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answered on Feb 8, 2023

You will need an attorney to search the title as you have not stated what the Deeds say. There may be a life estate, or it may have never come into existence. There are all kinds of joint ownership. It sounds like GrandMother may still own a fee or at least a one/half interest as a tenant in... View More

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 Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: State of TN - Can a Will establish a life estate after a life estate was established on a deed years prior?

My father had an attorney create a deed listing my father and mother as life tenants and myself as remainder owner. My father passed and my mom had a Will created naming a grand daughter as a life tenant for one of the properties and myself as remainder owner.

(Her attempt was to give a... View More

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answered on Jan 28, 2023

If the life estate deed was properly executed and recorded, and your father has already passed, then, when your mother has passed you, as the remainderman, will be the sole owner. Her will can have no impact on that property, because her life estate ends at her death. In other words, the property... View More

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?
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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 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?

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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 Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: Uncle is leaving me his house. Deed has his name and his sister's name who has passed. What do I need to do?

Aunt and Uncle each owned 50% of house. She passed so it it his 100%. The deed still has his and her name on it. His will states he is leaving it to me. Is there anything that needs to be done so I don't run into any trouble if I want to sell it? How will house get transfer to me as the new... View More

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answered on Jan 8, 2023

You stated that your aunt passed and so now your uncle owns 100% of the house, but that may not necessarily be true. It depends on how they held title. If they held title as joint tenants with right of survivorship that is true, but your uncle should record an affidavit of death with a death... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Civil Litigation for Tennessee on
Q: Out of three beneficiaries can one of them be the trustee

My aunt has weaseled her way into being the trustee because the original trustee not one of the beneficiaries turned it down and named her. My aunt named her husband as her successor trustee and her husband named the original trustee who turned it down.

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answered on Jan 4, 2023

Who created the Trust? The Settlor appoints his Trustee/ Successors in the Trust. Have you read it? The Trustee may be able to appoint his Successor. Are you a Trust Beneficiary? If not, you lack standing. Otherwise you can file suit in Chancery for an Accounting, Removal For Cause, etc.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: In Tennessee, what does it mean for the survivor if the deed shows "tenants in common with the right of survivorship"?

This is for an unmarried couple who own a home together. Will the heirs of the deceased have any rights to the home?

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answered on Jan 1, 2023

It means that if one of the tenants in common passes, the surviving tenant in common will become the sole owner of the home by operation of the survivorship interest without having to go through probate or any other kind of legal process. The heirs of the deceased would have no claim to the home.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: If I endorse and deposit a distribution check from irrevocable trust, can I still initiate a claim that I am due more?

I received a distribution check from a trust and an email from the trustee saying that the check closes out the trust.

The trust was created in Tennessee and is governed by Tennessee law.

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answered on Nov 4, 2022

If you are going to sue the Trustee for malfeasance, then do not cash the check. The Trust may have relevant terms to such distributions. The Trustee will argue that acceptance of the check waived any dispute about its amount. Hire your attorney now, but be careful about what Jurisdiction you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: how to transfer MI formed trust to Tenn
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answered on Oct 28, 2022

This can be accomplished by either amending or restating the trust, with restatement being more common for other reasons.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: My dad passed away and he has a will his wife left town with will we haven’t seen it can we see it with his attorney
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answered on Oct 18, 2022

Without physical possession of a Will it is very difficult to prove its existence. You may wish to start an Intestate Administration, but first consult with a competent attorney to see if Probate is needed. Remember a surviving spouse cannot be disinherited, and is entitled to a large amount of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: Division of inheritance when one or more children die. Spousal and grands concern. Following is more in depth question.

Three children. All married. Want to put the house in all three of their names. However if one child dies, I want the remaining two to get the third chip’s portion to divide. I do Not want my child’s widower Or even my grandchildren to inherit that portion. Strictly want my children to have... View More

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answered on Apr 18, 2024

You could convey to each of the three kids as joint tenants with right of survivorship. Rarely do I suggest that estate but it appears to meet your wishes. However during the three, then two childs' lives somebody has to pay taxes, insurance and possibly a deed of trust note. Also the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for Tennessee on
Q: My parents purchased a trust in Tennessee, the person who sold it was not an attorney and the fee went to the non attor

the fee was paid to a non legal office , the attorney drafted the trust and everything looks good, but is it legal for a non attorney to sell a trust and the money paid to the non attorney?

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answered on Apr 17, 2024

Trusts are not bought and sold. Often a trustee will sell trust corpus in parts or whole. Either you misunderstand what has occurred, or there is a fraud involved. You might be talking about the purchase of a Deed of Trust and the Note it secures, which is the transfer of a mortgage... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: My mother died in Tennessee. She had an Edward Jones account with my sister, myself and my brother named as beneficiary.

There wasn't any percentages given as to the division of account. Who is entitled to the money in the account?

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answered on Apr 12, 2024

A beneficiary designation like the one you described is usually interpreted as meaning equal shares.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: My husband passed away in January and his mother went and took all his belongings out of our cabin. A crime??

Me and our children are the heirs. What can I do she won't speak with me.

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answered on Apr 10, 2024

Hire a probate attorney. Get yourself appointed as executor or personal representative. Then as executor or PR sue her for the return of items stolen from the estate.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: I need to know if I have the tenant right to survivorship on savings and checking account that I was joint with my dad

Do I have to add to the estate and share amongst my siblings ?

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answered on Apr 4, 2024

If you are a joint tenant on a bank account, and the other tenant dies, then the money is yours individually. Ask the bank and look at the signature care for the account.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Health Care Law for Tennessee on
Q: Can I request medical records from the hospital from my stepfather if I'm the beneficiary on his life policy

My stepdad passed away in October and he had a life insurance policy which I am the Beneficiary of he also lived with me and my wife for the last two years before he passed the life insurance company is doing an investigation because this policy was written 6 months before he passed, the death cert... View More

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answered on Mar 20, 2024

Being a designated insurance beneficiary does not give you standing except to sue on the insurance policy. If under $25K, you might file suit against the carrier in General Sessions. I suggest hiring an attorney to pursue your policy amount. It will be difficult if you do not have a copy of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Tennessee on
Q: My mom has passed. My father's will states everthing is divided equally between my sister and l.

What if l die before my dad? Will my sister get everything or will my daughter inherit my portion. His grandchildren are not named in will.

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answered on Feb 5, 2024

Your question cannot be answered without reviewing the will. It could go either way. It depends on how the will is worded. You should schedule a consultation with a probate attorney in your area.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Need clarification on wording: On a Tennessee Deed in my father and stepmothers name.

I looked up Tennessee law and it says if someone dies without a will the home is divided between the children and spouse with spouse receiving no less then one third.

The deed says : My fathers name and his wifes name there heirs and assigns forever in fee simple

Grantor covenants... View More

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answered on Jan 26, 2024

Ownership of real property by husband and wife creates a tenancy by the entirety unless the deed specifies a different form of ownership. When one dies the other becomes the sole owner.

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