If I improved and increased my mother’s estate, legally what am I entitled to?
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If I improved and increased my mother’s estate, legally what am I entitled to?
My mother died 4 years ago. She left a Will listing my eldest brother and I as personal rep. My brother elected not to take on this responsibility and declined as executor. I proceeded. Her house was in dyer need of repairs. At the time of her death, the value was approximately $40,000. I completed a renovation process which increased the value to $68,000. All have agreed to my purchasing the house and all expenses to be paid with sibling to each receive $3000. That is with the exception of my eldest sibling. He refused to sign until he saw receipts that all expenses per mother’s Will had been paid. I paid the remaining balance of all the outstanding expenses out of my pocket. Now he states we can go to court. What is my recourse in recouping?
Asked on April 4, 2014 under Estate Planning, Tennessee
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
I suggest consulting with a Wills and trust attorney in your locality. One can be found on attorneypages.com. If the Will has not been probated, submit it to probate and make a creditor's claim for your improvements with interest where you will most likely be seeking to be the executor of the estate. If you approve your claim then submit an order to the court seeking court approval after all interested parties are served with what pleadings showing what you desire.
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