Last week, Governor Haslam signed several new bills into law. I previously blogged about a bill which updated a number of areas of Trust and Probate law here which has been signed by the Governor.
Three other bills have been signed by the Governor which update several other areas of probate law. Two of these change the amount from $10,000 to $15,000 that may be paid out without probate by a credit union and bank, respectively.
The third act updates accounting procedures in Tennessee probate estates. My reading of third act is to eliminate a court’s discretion to require an accounting if the Will waives it. Instead, a status report detailing issues to be completed before the estate can be closed will be due within fifteen months from the opening of the estate. I also read a new TCA 30-2-601(b)(2) to allow the personal representative to be able to close an estate without an accounting even if all receipts have not been received. In such event, the personal representative would give notice to the beneficiary who has failed to give a receipt. If the beneficiary no-shows at the hearing to close the estate (or appears, but does not participate), the “[f]ailure of a non-compliant distributee to appear and or participate in the hearing shall result in a final order closing the estate.” [emphasis added].
There are also new statutory forms for the receipt and waiver.
A copy of the bill as signed by the Governor can be viewed here: Pub. Ch. 0280.
It should be noted that this bill updating probate accounting procedures became law as soon as it was signed by the Governor last week (as opposed to July 1 when most new laws become effective).
Stay tuned.
I know you have been hanging on my every word. I know that you have been wondering what could I possibly be up to that is so important that I don’t have time for you. I’m sorry. I never intended to neglect you. My only excuse is that litigation is taking up more and more of my time.