Probate & Estate Administration

Our Goodlettsville estate planning attorneys are equipped to help you plan for the unknown for yourself or your loved ones. We have extensive experience helping generations of families in the Goodlettsville, Nashville, Hendersonville, White House, and Springfield community tackle estates, both large and small, and help get you through the probate process with ease. You can count on our estate attorneys to stay knowledgeable with the local rules of court and Tennessee law to ensure your estate, or an estate of a loved one, is properly prepared or administered.

Under Tennessee law, when an individual dies leaving a Last Will and Testament he or she is considered to die “testate.” On the other hand, when an individual dies without a Will, they die “intestate.” When an individual passes away without a Will or without a valid Will, the Tennessee Laws of Intestate Succession apply (T.C.A § 31-2-101). Most of the time, without a valid Will, an individual related or close to the deceased person has to go to court to petition to be appointed Administrator of the Estate. Upon court approval, that individual is then granted Letters of Administration. When a deceased person dies leaving a valid Will and an Executor is named in the Will, this individual petitions the court to probate the Will. If the judge finds the Will is valid and executed in accordance with Tennessee law, he or she will be granted Letters Testamentary to start distributing the estate in accordance with the Will.

When Tennessee Laws of Intestate Succession Apply (No Valid Will):

• Survived by a spouse and children : The surviving spouse will inherit either one-third (1/3) of the deceased spouse's estate or a child's share of the entire estate, whichever is greater. The children will then inherit the balance, per stirpes. For example, if the total estate is valued at $300,000 and the deceased person was survived by a spouse and one child, then the surviving spouse will inherit $150,000 and the child will inherit $150,000; or if the deceased spouse was survived by a spouse and three children, then the surviving spouse will inherit $100,000 (1/3 of the estate) and the children will split the remaining $200,000 and receive $66,666.67 each.
• Survived by a spouse and no children: In this case, the surviving spouse will inherit the deceased spouse's entire estate.
• Survived by children and no spouse: In this case, the deceased person's descendants will inherit the entire estate, per stirpes. That means “equally” but if a child predeceases you, his or her children (your grandchildren) will equally share the deceased child’s portion.

Our team of attorneys can help you navigate the probate process to ensure the estate is administered properly and in accordance with Tennessee Law. We do this efficiently and cost-effectively for you and your family. Call one of our Davidson County estate lawyers today (615) 859-1328.