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Tennessee Probate Explained

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When a loved one passes away, their estate may need to go through probate. The probate process simply ensures that the decedent’s assets and estate go to the people who are legally entitled to it. An estate must go through probate regardless of whether or not the deceased left a Will. This process may not be necessary if the testator left their assets in a living trust, rather than relying exclusively on a Will.

Which Assets Are Exempt From Probate?

Certain assets may not have to go through the probate process. These assets include:

  • Certain bank and brokerage accounts if a designation made. Individuals may choose to designate a beneficiary for their bank and brokerage accounts. These are also known as “transfer on death” accounts. When the decedent passes, beneficiaries can claim these assets right away.  This designation may either be combined with the power to sign checks or just a gift to take place upon death. These are separate actions with a financial institution.
  • Accounts and policies with designated beneficiaries. Life insurance policies and retirement accounts should have named beneficiaries. The funds in these accounts are typically exempt from probate and can be claimed immediately if a designation has been made.
  • Real estate with right of survivorship. If the testator was married at the time of death, their spouse automatically takes ownership of some types of real property (and joint bank accounts) if the property was in joint names. 
  • Joint tenancy assets. When two people are named owners of an asset and one passes away, the other takes full ownership without the asset going through probate 

General Probate Process

The probate process in Tennessee is fairly straightforward. Someone must file the decedent’s Will with the county in which they lived attached to a petition for probate with the court. The executor named in the Will will be granted personal representative rights. If there is no Will, the Will doesn’t name a personal representative or the executor names doesn’t want to serve, the court appoints someone.  If there is no will a relative, heir or creditor may file a petition to open an estate as an “intestate” estate. In an intestate estate the petitioner qualifies as an administrator of the estate and has similar responsibilities as an executor.  

Once the petition is received, the executor must notify all heirs and beneficiaries that the estate is going through probate. There will also be a publication in the paper for creditors of the estate and the creditors have four months from the date of publication to file their creditor claims against the estate.  The executor must send notices of the opening of the estate to known creditors. Within 60 days, the personal representative must inventory the decedent’s assets and submit the inventory to the court. Unless specifically waived in the will a bond may be set by the court to ensure proper administration of the estate.  Unless waived in the will or agreed to be waived by the heirs, an accounting must be filed to the probate court of all the assets taken into the estate and all expenditures (along with a description of the expenditure and copies of the checks and statements of the bank account of the estate) made out of those assets on behalf of the estate.  

After all of the debts owed by the estate have been paid (after the four-month period for creditors’ claims has passed) —as well as the testator’s state and federal taxes, if necessary—the executor upon making a final approved accounting to the court can distribute assets to heirs and beneficiaries. 

All in all, this process typically takes at least six months and may take multiple years, depending on the complexity of the estate and the accuracy of the decedent’s records. Do you have to oversee an estate through the probate process? Instead of taking on this task on your own, turn to VKBA&R Law. Contact us today at 615-321-5659 to discuss your legal needs.

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Defining Terms used in Probate and Wills

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A will is a document that directs the distribution of a person’s property after he or she dies. It is “admitted to probate” after death in order for the probate court to oversee the distribution in an orderly fashion that can be relied upon by others to establish property rights.

A person who dies with a valid written will (and not having revoked it) is said to have died “testate.” A person who dies without leaving behind a validly executed will is said to have died “intestate,” in which case statutory law will determine the distribution of the deceased’s property among the heirs or next of kin.

The will may be carried out by an executor, who is a person appointed in the will document to make sure the wishes or directions set forth in the will are carried out. An executor (or executrix) is a personal representative named in a will. The executor is the person chosen by the deceased to assure his or her property is distributed according to the will. An administrator (or administratrix) is a personal representative appointed by the court for a decedent who dies without a will, who fails to name an executor, who names someone who is without capacity to serve, or who writes a will that the court refuses to admit to probate.

It is not always necessary to probate a will if there is little property, all beneficiaries are known (and in agreement) and there is no real estate owned by the decedent.

This is best determined in consultation with an attorney. For more information about probate and wills call Dobbins and Venick Law Firm.

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