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Claims Against An Estate

Filing a Claim Against an Estate

If someone who owes you money dies, you may think you are unable to recover those funds. However, you can file a claim against the person’s estate in an effort to pay the debt. The process can be difficult, and it takes a skilled attorney to guide you through it. For decades, the estate litigation attorneys of MHPS have guided creditors through the process of filing claims against an estate in Tennessee. We know what deadlines need to be hit and what proof is needed to support your claims. We will help you with the documents and, if necessary, represent you in probate court.

estate litigation lawyer reviewing paperwork

When to File Claims Against an Estate

Claims against an estate can occur at the beginning of probate. An individual may believe he/she is owed money from the estate. In an attempt to procure the funds, that creditor will file a written statement with the executor or administrator of the estate. It is the administrator’s duty to approve it (either in whole or in part) or deny the claim.

estate litigation attorney in Tennessee

In Tennessee, there are strict deadlines for filing a claim against an estate. However, there are exceptions to some of these deadlines:

  • If the creditor receives actual notice, such as the executor mailing a copy of the notice: If you receive a physical copy of the notice, then you need to file your claim with the probate court within 60 days of receipt.
  • The creditor had received the actual notice in less than 60 days or didn’t receive a notice: If this occurs, the creditor has one year from the decedent’s death to file a claim.

In these exceptions, if there is a dispute between the personal representative and the creditor as to either:

  • The personal representative was required to send a notice to the creditor; or,
  • Whether the personal representative properly sent the notice, the burden of proof is on the creditor to prove its position.

The creditor not knowing the death of the person occurred is not a valid counterargument in Tennessee court.

In addition, a “Notice to Creditors” is published by the probate court clerk. The notice to creditors must be published for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper in the county where the probate action has been filed. For example, in Nashville, such notices are typically published in The Tennessean, Nashville Scene, or Nashville Ledger.

If Your Claim is Denied

If the claim is not approved, it’s important to know that the executor does not have the final say in the matter. The creditor can request a hearing in probate court to determine if he or she has a right to the estate. Remember, estate administrators have a duty to prioritize claims against the estate. That means expenses such as taxes, funeral costs, and operating expenses are usually paid first. If the remaining funds are insufficient in paying any other claims, creditors can receive a portion of the payment owed on a prorated basis and a liquidation of the estate’s assets will be ordered by the probate court to pay the claim.

Researching claim against estate

How Our Nashville Estate Litigation Lawyers Can Help

Although filing a claim does not ensure you will receive your money back, it will make the estate and the court aware of the debt. But, it’s important to know what the deadlines are and what documents need to be filed to prove the validity of your claim. This is where our Nashville estate litigation lawyers can help. We will go over your claim to make sure it is valid and keep an eye on all deadlines to claim your money. If your claim is denied by the executor, we will fight for your rights in court in an effort to get you a favorable outcome.

If you believe that you have a claim against an estate in Middle Tennessee and need legal assistance, our estate litigation lawyers are here to help. Contact MHPS today to schedule an appointment.

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