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Tennessee Probate Questions & Answers
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.

Nina Whitehurst
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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 ?

Anthony M. Avery
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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 Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Does personal rep. of estate need to file a claim to be reimbursed for the funeral expenses he paid out of pocker?

ARIZONA probate funeral reimbursement question

I am the personal representative of my father’s estate going through informal probate in Arizona. I paid the funeral out of pocket before being receiving letters of administration. My understanding is I can be reimbursed for the funeral... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 27, 2024

Hire an AZ attorney to file your claim against the Estate.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: In Tennessee, can I appoint a person who does not have a SSN to act as Executor of my Will?
Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Mar 16, 2024

I hesitate to recommend doing that, because it will make it extremely difficult for the executor to obtain a federal taxpayer ID number for the estate, which is an essential prerequisite to opening an estate bank account.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Collections and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: I want my contributions reimbursed. What is the proper legal jargon to file under?

The judge ruled a partition by sale of my home. I would like to be reimbursed for my contributions. I have receipts for everything. What's the proper legal term for what I need to file in order to seek a judgment?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 11, 2024

Hire an attorney to defend you and file an Answer. There you can claim contributions and reimbursements to be added to your share from the Common Fund. His Fee can actually be paid from the proceeds.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: My father passed away 1/25/2024 at his residence in Zephyrhills, FL. He had a live in girlfriend/ caregiver of 12+ years

My father passed away 1/25/2024 at his residence in Zephyrhills, FL. He had a live in girlfriend/ caregiver of 12+ years. She stated he did not have a will. She is refusing to give us any of his ashes or any of his personal items that we are requesting. She has ceased all contact and will not speak... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Feb 13, 2024

This case will be governed by Florida law so you should repost your question but specify Florida instead of Tennessee next time.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Should I get a Probate or Litigation Attorney?

I had a holographic Will construed by my prior attorney due to the language being ambiguous. It has not been presented in court yet. I want to hire representation to present it for whenever I get a court date. It's already been paid for, so there is no work to do besides presenting it. I do... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jan 31, 2024

Hire an an attorney to probate the will, if there are sufficient assets. Your lawyer should determine if probate is advisable or that intestate succession controls where the assets go already. Construing the will could be an issue for the Court to decide.

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

Nina Whitehurst
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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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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: How can I get a daughter of a deceased aunt to open up an estate per probate? She is not the executor of the will.

My step mother died in August and her sister died 24 hours prior to her death. The daughter was the only one who has access to the Trust and has been managing the money. She was given the death certificate and claims she does not have the original will. My father has already passed and has left... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Jan 10, 2024

Anyone with an interest in the matter can open a probate. That includes you. You can hire an attorney to help you. The legal fees should be reimbursed by the estate.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Elder Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Removed from Will by executor after the executor

I was recently removed or excluded from Will that my grandfather had created by the executor. I believe this is not against the desires, or the will unless intestine of my grandfather, which I do have, but I have not have the signed copy of the executor has changed this and has no longer following... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Dec 6, 2023

What is your question? You will have to rewrite your request.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Tenncare request for release

Recently got a Tenncare request for release form and had fill out along with sent a death certificate by email for my mother that passed in nursing home with Tenncare Choices. They emailed me back since I am a disabled that they assert my estate when I pass. They will not let me know how much my... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Nov 8, 2023

If you are disabled, you do not have to pay anything to Tenncare while you are alive and remain disabled. It would be easier on YOU to just let the make a claim against your estate when you pass.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: A judge ignores a recorded phone conversation that contradicts the opposing party's claim in Probate. What should I do?

The opposing party in a Probate case claims they have made contributions to property taxes for the last 20 years. I was able to provide a recorded conversation between myself and the party, in which the party admitted that they withdrew their help/contributions 27 years ago. I always thought that... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Oct 26, 2023

Your lawyer needs to object to the Clerk& Master's Report or appeal the Chancellor's ruling. This assumes that the property taxes were in sufficient amounts that it affects the Estate's other beneficiaries. Your recording may not have the legal impact on the Probate Case... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: if there is a living will, but we found a letter stating different wishes than said will, which document is honored
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 10, 2023

In Tennessee, a legally valid living will or advance directive is the official document that expresses a person's wishes regarding medical treatment in the event they become incapacitated. If there is a discrepancy between the living will and a casual letter, the living will generally takes... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: ln a family of step parent and parent have matching wills can the child of the deceased parent still be upon step death

My father passed away, when he passed he and my step mom had matching wills. She had mental health issues and past away from dementia, prior to her death her will was changed even though she had dementia. Is the original will in effect? Does this void the will and give their family all rights to... View More

Frank J. Steiner
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answered on Oct 8, 2023

If you were a stated beneficiary in a will that was revoked by a new will while your Mother was diagnosed with dementia, you may have standing to bring a will contest.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Tennessee on
Q: Summoned to appear/defend a civil action against me in Probate Court for my dad's will & need some questions answered.

Do I have to send in a defense on a civil action in probate court if I don't object to anything? It says that a judgment by default will be rendered against me for the relief demanded in the complaint if I fail to defend this action. I don't get what I'm defending if I have no objections.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Oct 5, 2023

You can respond to the Petition served on you, but probably not required as in most suits. Go to Probate Court, read the File, and respond to questions. Hire a lawyer if it looks like you are not getting what you think you should.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate, Estate Planning and Civil Litigation for Tennessee on
Q: Do you have to probate house and land in Carter County, Tn? When Father dies and 2 sons do not want the property.

If sons inherit property and both want to sell it to someone and they agree to it can they do so without putting it in probate? If it does have to go to probate who becomes executor if neither son wants the property and want to sell it? If it does go to probate if any liens or judgements are... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Oct 4, 2023

If there is sufficient equity in the property, then any tenant in common can file a Petition for a Sale For Partition.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: In the state of Tennessee are there any laws that protect a 20 year relationship without marriage?
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answered on Oct 4, 2023

There is no common law marriage in TN. However there may be property transfers or partnerships involved between the two persons, which give one or both rights therein. Consult with an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: My boyfriend's mom & dad left their house to him when they died but didn't have a will. No one will comply.

Both his brothers don't want it put in his name because he is currently in jail. But they are trying to make me leave even though my boyfriend wants me to stay. There wasn't a will made but his sister was the executor of the estate & she knows it was supposed to be left to him. What... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Oct 4, 2023

Hire a competent lawyer to draft, execute and record an Affidavit of Heirship as the source of title. But all tenants in common can remove you from possession.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: I am the Executor of my ex. Our daughters abandoned the family home. Can I take it back over. I lived there until he pas

I am Executor, but our daughters locked me out. Now the house is 2 years behind on taxes and they left it. I found a Vacant sign that was placed on the door. I didn't file because I couldn't afford it but the girls knew what the Will said, we all signed it. They left dogs in there and... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Oct 3, 2023

Your question cannot be answered without reviewing the will and other facts and circumstances such as whether the estate is solvent without the house. You should schedule a consultation with a probate attorney.

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Legal Malpractice, Probate and Securities Law for Tennessee on
Q: How do I prove insurance fraud concerning an estate. Agent helping ex to pay off property with the decedent's insurance

Can insurance company lie to to Estate administrator and why would they require a court order for records if there was no fraud

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answered on Sep 25, 2023

What is your question? Apparently this is a complicated matter, and it does not appear you have standing. Insurance Fraud is a tort, and would not be involved in the Estate. Do you have damages? If not, no cause of action. Consult with an attorney.

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