Death of Resident — Notice to Guardian or Next of Kin — Disposition of Personal Property
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Upon the death of a resident of a Tennessee state veterans' home, the administrator of the home shall promptly give notice of such death to the guardian or next of kin of such resident.
The administrator, executor or personal representative of the deceased person, or if there be none, one (1) or more of the heirs at law or next of kin, shall be notified by registered mail of any personal property owned by the deceased and left at the home at the time of the resident's death. Notice of an administrator, executor or personal representative shall be directed to the probate court of the county wherein the administrator, executor or personal representative is qualified to administer the estate of the deceased. Notice to the next of kin or heirs at law shall be addressed to the last known address of such person or persons.
The administrator of the home shall thereafter keep such personal property for twelve (12) months following the date of such notice or notices, at the expiration of which time, if it has not been claimed, the administrator shall sell or otherwise dispose of the property, with the approval of the state veterans' home foundation, incorporated, and deposit the proceeds from such sale or disposition in a fund, maintained under the supervision of the administrator for the purpose of providing needy patients or residents in the institution with comforts and necessities they are unable to provide for themselves.
If, after diligent search and inquiry, the name of none of the persons required to be notified in subsection (b) can be ascertained so that the required notice cannot be given, or the persons notified do not open the estate or otherwise proceed to dispose of the estate in a lawful manner, any property owned and left by any deceased resident in the home shall be kept for twelve (12) months after the death of the resident and if unclaimed, be disposed of as provided in subsection (c).
When any resident otherwise leaves the home, and leaves any personal property in the home, the administrator shall promptly notify such former resident by registered mail addressed to the resident's last known address of the fact that property belonging to the resident has been left at the home. Such property shall be kept for twelve (12) months from the date of the notice and if not claimed at the expiration of that time, disposed of as provided in subsection (c).