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When a family business owner passes away, the family may face two major concerns at once: settling the estate and keeping the business running. Employees may depend on the company for their livelihood, customers still expect services, and other family members may want to continue the business. At the same time, questions can arise about …

When someone passes away, their estate may include bank accounts, real estate, investments, vehicles, valuable personal belongings, and other property. During probate, these assets must be identified, managed, and distributed according to the deceased person’s will or Tennessee intestacy laws. Problems can arise when someone intentionally hides estate assets, transfers property without proper authority, or …

When a loved one passes away, the executor of their estate is responsible for carrying out the instructions in the will and managing the probate process. Beneficiaries generally expect the executor to act responsibly, protect estate assets, pay valid debts, and distribute the remaining property according to the will and Tennessee law. But what happens …

When a parent passes away, families often expect the probate process to be straightforward. Unfortunately, disagreements among siblings can make an already difficult time even more stressful. Siblings may disagree about how the estate should be divided, who should serve as executor, whether the will reflects their parent’s wishes, or how estate assets are being …

A will is intended to reflect a person’s own wishes about how their property should be distributed after death. However, concerns can arise when someone believes the deceased was pressured, manipulated, or improperly influenced when creating or changing a will. This is commonly referred to as undue influence. When allegations of undue influence arise, they …

When someone dies without a valid will, their estate does not automatically go to the person the family believes should inherit it. Instead, Tennessee intestacy laws determine who is legally entitled to receive the deceased person’s assets. This type of estate is known as an intestate estate. The probate process is still required for many …

Family inheritance disputes are one of the most common challenges that arise during the probate process. While many estates are administered without conflict, disagreements over wills, property distribution, executor decisions, or family expectations can lead to contested probate proceedings. When disputes cannot be resolved privately, the Tennessee probate court plays an important role in interpreting …

A conservatorship is designed to protect individuals who can no longer manage their financial affairs or make important personal decisions. In Tennessee, conservators have a legal duty to act in the best interests of the person under the conservatorship, known as the respondent or ward. Most conservators fulfill these responsibilities with honesty and care. However, …

Probate often requires cooperation between executors, administrators, beneficiaries, and the Tennessee probate court. When a beneficiary refuses to cooperate, the estate administration process can become more complicated and may take longer to complete. A lack of cooperation does not necessarily stop probate from moving forward, but it can create delays, increase costs, and lead to …