Detailed answer — how the process works in Tennessee

When a personal representative (executor or administrator) files an accounting and the probate court approves it and enters a final order or decree, that approval usually resolves the administration of the estate. Tennessee law and court practice place a premium on finality in probate to protect beneficiaries, creditors, and administrators.

Why timing matters

Most challenges to accountings or probate orders must be raised promptly. If you wait a long time, the court will normally refuse to reopen settled matters unless a narrow exception applies. Waiting more than a year makes reopening harder, but not always impossible.

Common legal grounds to seek relief after a year

• Fraud or intentional misrepresentation: If the accounting was approved because the administrator concealed assets, forged documents, or gave false testimony, the court may set aside the settlement.
• Lack of proper notice or jurisdictional defects: If you were entitled to notice but did not receive it (for example, because you were not listed or were improperly served), the court may find the order voidable.
• Material mistake or clerical error: Where a clear mistake in the accounting or order affected rights, courts may correct or reopen the record.
• Newly discovered evidence: Evidence that could not have been discovered with reasonable diligence before entry of the order may justify reopening in narrow circumstances.
• Administrator misconduct or breach of fiduciary duty: If the personal representative misapplied assets or breached fiduciary duties, a beneficiary may ask the court for surcharge, removal, or an amended accounting.

Which legal tools are used to challenge or reopen a final accounting

1. Petition to set aside or reopen the probate order: File a petition in the same probate court asking the judge to vacate or modify the prior order and to allow a new or supplemental accounting. The petition must explain the grounds (fraud, lack of notice, mistake, etc.) and include supporting facts and any available evidence.
2. Motion for relief from judgment (Tenn. R. Civ. P. 60.02): Tennessee’s civil-rule remedy may apply to probate orders in many cases. Rule 60.02 provides relief for mistake, inadvertence, surprise, excusable neglect, newly discovered evidence, fraud, and other reasons. Relief under Rule 60.02 is discretionary and has its own timing rules—courts expect prompt action once the movant learns of the basis for relief. See Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure: https://www.tncourts.gov/rules/tennessee-rules-civil-procedure
3. Appeal or writs: If the time to appeal a final probate order has not passed, you might appeal. If appeal deadlines have passed, extraordinary writs (like a writ of certiorari or habeas corpus where jurisdictional issues exist) are unusual and rarely succeed.
4. Civil claims against the personal representative: Even if the court declines to reopen a closed accounting, beneficiaries may still have direct claims against the representative (for breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, or fraud) in the appropriate court. These claims have their own statutes of limitations.

Procedural steps you should expect to take

1. Collect everything: a copy of the estate file, the approved accounting, the court order or decree, the will, notices you received (or did not receive), bank statements, and any communications with the personal representative.
2. Act quickly: if you learn of conduct or facts that could reopen the case, move promptly. Courts consider delay when deciding relief under Rule 60.02 or similar motions.
3. File the correct pleading in probate court: a petition or motion asking to set aside the settlement, specifying the legal and factual basis and attaching supporting documents.
4. Request interim relief if assets remain at risk: you may ask for a temporary injunction, turnover, or an accounting under oath if you believe the representative is dissipating assets.
5. Be prepared to prove your claim: allegations of fraud or newly discovered evidence require strong, admissible proof—documents, bank records, declarations, or testimony from witnesses.

Deadlines and limitations to watch

There is no single “one-year” rule across all Tennessee probate matters that automatically bars every challenge after twelve months. Instead, the applicable time limits depend on:

• Whether the challenge is framed as a statutory appeal, a motion under civil rules, or a separate civil claim;
• Whether you received proper statutory notice;
• The particular statute of limitations for actions like breach of fiduciary duty or fraud; and
• Court discretion applying equitable doctrines (laches, res judicata, finality).

Because deadlines and limitations differ by claim, get legal advice right away. Tennessee’s probate statutes and rules are found in Title 30 of the Tennessee Code and the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure. See the Tennessee Rules here: https://www.tncourts.gov/rules/tennessee-rules-civil-procedure and the code information at the Tennessee General Assembly site: https://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislation/ (search “Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 30”).

Practical outcome possibilities

• The court grants relief, reopens the accounting, and orders a new or supplemental accounting—the estate is recalculated and adjusted.
• The court declines to reopen but allows a separate civil claim to proceed against the personal representative.
• The court denies relief because the movant delayed unreasonably, lacked standing, or failed to show a valid ground (res judicata/finality).

Helpful Hints

• Do not assume “one year” automatically bars you. The outcome depends on the basis of your challenge and whether you had notice.
• Get copies of the entire probate file from the clerk immediately. Key pieces: the accounting, the court order, service/notice records, and any inventories.
• Document discovered problems (bank statements, canceled checks, emails) and date-stamp everything.
• If you suspect fraud or criminal activity, consider contacting law enforcement—civil relief and criminal prosecution are different routes.
• Ask the court or clerk about local probate practice and forms. Local probate rules or judges sometimes set short deadlines for exceptions or objections to accountings.
• Be aware of related deadlines: creditor claim periods, personal representative removal petitions, and statutes of limitations for tort claims may run on separate timetables.
• Talk with an experienced Tennessee probate or trust attorney before filing. A lawyer can evaluate whether Rule 60.02 relief, a petition to reopen, or a separate civil suit is the best strategy and can prepare proof focused on the narrow grounds courts accept after finality has attached.