Belle Meade Will Contests Lawyer

Will Contests Attorney In Belle Meade, TN

Contesting a will in Tennessee requires preparation and planning. Laws governing contesting a will vary in Tennessee by county. Be prepared and hire an experienced Belle Meade, TN, will contests lawyer from the Emmack Probate and Estate Law Group. Our team has the knowledge and experience you need in Davidson County.

Contesting a will starts with the probate process. The timeline for probate depends on the size and complexity of the estate. When contesting a will, meet as early as possible with a contested wills attorney at the Emmack Probate and Estate Law Group. Meeting timelines is critical once an estate enters probate. Allow time to prepare a legal approach, gather evidence, and determine the strength of your contested will case.

Common Reasons to Contest a Will in Tennessee

There are numerous reasons you have for contesting a will. The most common reasons for contesting a will include:

• The estate owner wasn’t of sound mind or lacked capacity.
• The estate owner was pressured or influenced by another party.
• The will contains fraudulent terms.
• The will was not executed or created properly.
• The will was previously revoked as invalid.

It is also helpful to understand the Tennessee probate process so you know what to expect during litigation. Every contested will case is unique. The timelines to contest a will are short, so having the help of a qualified will contests attorney can help you plan a valid and legal approach to contesting the will.

Creating a Successful Contested Will Case

Will contest laws are different for each county. In Davidson County, the process starts by filing at the Davidson County Probate Court within the Circuit Court Clerk’s office. The office is located at 1 Public Square #303 in Nashville. The probate court handles all will contests for an estate.

The first step is filing a petition to contest the will while it’s in probate. The court intervenes to resolve all contested wills. Note, the person contesting the will must file in the county where the estate owner lived. Consider planning an approach with the guidance of a qualified Belle Meade will contest attorney.

Will contest laws are complex, and the timing of filings and fees is critical to the success of your contested will case. Our team can help you prove undue influence in Tennessee if you believe the deceased was pressured into changing their final wishes. A legal plan helps ensure your contested will case has appropriate grounds for contesting a will, including filing the proper petition, gathering evidence, and potentially interviewing witnesses.

The next steps are negotiating a mediation settlement or litigating the case in court. Hire an experienced Belle Meade TN estate planning lawyer from the Emmack Probate and Estate Law Group. Our attorneys can work with you to safeguard estate assets and ensure your legal rights for contesting the will presented and considered.

Why Hire a Will Contests Lawyer in Belle Meade, TN

Consider the advantages of hiring an experienced will contests lawyer like Shanone Emmack at the Emmack Probate and Estate Law Group. Shanone has 10 years of probate and estate law experience in the Nashville and surrounding areas. You’ll find a dedicated will contests attorney to help you plan a contested will case, negotiate a settlement, or litigate your case in court.

A 2025 survey found that 59% of Americans have no estate plan. Of those who have at least a legal will, 1 in 4 never update their wills. A will that’s out of date can be fertile grounds for a contested will disagreement when the estate moves into probate. In some cases, a family may even need to determine if a hand written will is legal in Tennessee before proceeding with a contest.

With the lack of updates to a will or the lack of an estate plan. It is likely that your final wishes will end up in probate court. A reliable Belle Meade, TN trusts lawyer can not only help you create a legal estate plan, including a will and other options, but also help you file and contest a will.

Cost and Duration of a Contested Will Case

When you are considering filing a contested will case, plan for the potential costs. You’ll need to plan for attorney fees, court and court filing fees, the cost of witness interviews, and producing legal documentation or evidence. The complexity of the estate determines the cost and the length of time it can take to settle either through mediation or litigation.

Costs may also be incurred during the settlement of the estate or by judgment of the court. When contesting a will, meet as early as possible with a contested Belle Meade, TN wills attorney at the Emmack Probate and Estate Law Group.

FAQs

What Are the Costs of Contesting a Will?

The cost of contesting a will depends on the value of the assets because, for complex cases, there are additional fees for investigations, evidence gathering, and professional witness costs. Estimate the costs of contesting a will by determining attorney fees, court and filing fees, discovery and evidence, including witness interviews and professional testimony, and a will contest can double or triple the time it takes to settle probate.

What Percentage of Contested Wills Are Successful?

The percentage of successfully contested wills is 1% in the U.S., and in Davidson County. The success of a will contest depends heavily on the ability to prove the will is invalid. Grounds for a will contest include evidence of improper execution or an unsigned will, lack of testamentary capacity, or saying the will’s creator was not of sound mind, and undue influence of a third party.

Can a Will Be Contested in Tennessee?

A will can be contested in Tennessee. Before filing a will contest when the will is in probate, discuss your options with a qualified Contest Wills Attorney at the Emmack Probate and Estate Law Group. Our firm can help you understand the legal costs, including filing fees, and help you weigh he risks of your wills contest case.

How Long Does It Take to Contest a Will in Tennessee?

The length of time a will contest in Tennessee depends on the probate process, the complexity of the will contest case, and other unique circumstances of your case. Working with an attorney will help to estimate how much time it may take to complete the contest of a will in Tennessee. Be sure to provide all the details to get an accurate estimate.

Contact Our Belle Meade Will Contests Lawyer Today

Tennessee probate laws are complex and vary by county. Each county also differs in timelines and the style of handling estate cases. Shanone Emmack can help you create a legal estate plan or help you navigate a will contest case.

Attorney Emmack lends both her extensive 10 years of Tennessee legal experience with estate planning and probate, and her dedication to resolving your case to your advantage. Contact a Belle Meade, TN will contest lawyer at the Emmack Probate and Estate Law Group today.

Belle Meade, TN Will Contests Resources

• Discover why you would want to avoid probate in Tennessee
• See if the executor of a will has the final say in Tennessee