Source: http://tennesseewillsandestates.com/Default.aspx?month=4&year=2013
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 16:04:00+00:00

Document:
Who can object to a creditor claim filed against a probate estate in Tennessee?
The exceptions to the claim must be filed within thirty days after the “expiration of four (4) months from the date of the notice to creditors given as provided in § 30-2-306(b).” If a creditor claim is filed against the probate estate after the four month time period allowed in T.C.A. § 30-2-306, then the notice of exception to that claim can be filed within thirty days from the time the personal representative receives notice from the clerk of the filing of the claim.
The exception to a creditor's claim must include a reasonably detailed explanation of the basis for which the person is making the exception. T.C.A. §30-2-315 provides greater detail about the procedures for how the court determines whether a claim should stand or whether the exception should be upheld. If you have a creditor claim or desire to object to a creditor claim, it is very important to have a Tennessee probate attorney assist with this process in order to properly comply with these statutes.
Additionally, T.C.A. § 32-11-104 provides specific requirements for the execution of a living will. An executed living will can be signed by "any competent adult person" under T.C.A. § 32-11-104. The declaration must be in writing and signed by the principal and is valid if it is attested by a notary public with no witnesses or witnessed by two witnesses without an attestation of a notary public. If the witness method is used then at least one of the witnesses must not be related to the individual executing the living will document.
Reason Number Three - To try to reduce the likelihood for disagreements and disputes among family members, friends and potential beneficiaries/heirs after your death.
An individual's death is an extremely stressful, emotional, and difficult time for family members and friends of the deceased. There are often underlying relationship problems of various kinds that exist among family members and friends of the deceased. Any pre-existing problems are often exacerbated and even made worse by the stress and difficulty of dealing with the death of a loved one.
A properly drafted and executed will in Tennessee gives you the best opportunity to clearly lay out your intentions to avoid significant disputes over your assets and money. Too many deaths result in family members fighting. These disputes are not just about money but can also be about family heirlooms or other items that have no real material value, but are converted into highly valued emotional objects that family and friends focus on in their disputes. A will is a great tool you can use to try to reduce or even eliminate these disputes because it leaves less wiggle room for family members and friends to disagree about.
Reason Number Two - To decide who will be the legal guardian for your children after your death.
A very important component of a will is that you can select who you desire to be the guardian of your children. If you have minor children at the time you die, you can designated in your will who you desire to be the guardian for your children until they reach the age of majority (18 years of age in Tennessee). This is one of the most important decisions you can ever make because the guardians are the individuals who will raise your children after you are gone.
Do "half-blood" relatives inherit the same as "whole blood" relatives under Tennessee law?
As a result, anytime there are “half blood” relatives in an inheritance situation, keep in mind that the fact they are “half blood” has no bearing on whether they can inherit under <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Tennessee law.
Can a conservatorship be terminated or modified in Tennessee?
(a) A conservator appointed under this chapter may be discharged or have its duties modified if the court determines that the respondent is no longer a disabled person, or that it is in the best interests of the disabled person that the conservatorship be terminated, or that the conservator has failed to perform its duties and obligations in accordance with the law, or that the conservator has failed to act in the disabled person's best interest so as to warrant modification or termination. The disabled person or any interested person on the disabled person's behalf may petition the court at any time for a termination or modification order under this section.
1) If the respondent is no longer a “disabled person” under the statute.
2) If it is in the best interest of the disabled person.
3) If the conservator fails to perform their duties and obligations as required under Tennessee law.
4) If the conservator has failed to act in the disabled person’s best interests.
(c) The court, upon receipt of the petition filed under this section, shall conduct a hearing. At the hearing, the disabled person has all the rights set out in § 34-3-106.
Under Tennessee law a parent can not inherit from an intestate child (child with no will) until all child support owed is paid.
As a result, a parent must pay all back child support as well as interest from the date each payment was actually due to be made. If the parent to whom child support is owed is deceased, then the surviving parent must make payments owed to the deceased parent’s estate before the parent can inherit from the child.
In Tennessee can the court modify a will to achieve tax objectives that are beneficial to the deceased testator's estate?
To achieve the testator's tax objectives, the court may modify the terms of a will in a manner that is not contrary to the testator's probable intention. The court may provide that the modification has retroactive effect.
This is an important recent change to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Tennessee law that could be of great benefit to Tennessee estates under certain circumstances. If minor changes to the will could allow there to be tax benefits for the estate, then the changes can be made by the court even though the will did not specifically include the tax benefits. In order to accomplish this, counsel for the estate should file a motion requesting the modification of the will and demonstrating how it complied with the Testator’s intent.
This statute could save Tennessee estates a significant amount of money in certain circumstances. This is why it is important to have a Tennessee probate attorney review and handle the probate of an estate in Tennessee in order to determine if this statute (and others) could apply to reduce the tax liability of the estate.

References: § 30
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 § 34