Friday, February 10, 2012

Court reviews whether a claimant is entitled to reimbursement for mortgage payments submitted on behalf of the decedent

IN RE ESTATE OF MARSHAL SAN MIGUEL (Tenn. Ct. App. February 10, 2012)

Michael San Miguel ("Claimant") filed a claim against his brother's estate, Marshal San Miguel ("Decedent"), alleging that Decedent was responsible for expenses and mortgage payments relating to their jointly-owned Louisiana property. Decedent's son, Nicholas Brandon San Miguel ("Beneficiary"), filed an exception to the claim. The clerk and master disallowed the claim. Claimant objected to the clerk and master's report, and the trial court precluded recovery. Claimant appeals. We reverse the court's preclusion of recovery of the mortgage payments and expenses and conclude that Claimant is entitled to reimbursement for the mortgage payments submitted on behalf of Decedent and a portion of the expenses incurred on behalf of the property. We affirm the court's decision in all other respects.

Opinion available at:
http://www.tba2.org/tba_files/TCA/2012/miguelm_021012.pdf