(a) Where no person will administer on the estate of the deceased, any person who has commenced a suit against the deceased in the lifetime of the deceased may issue a scire facias against the deceased’s heirs or devisees, for whom, in case they are minors, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the purpose of defending the suit.

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 30-2-409

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
(b) On return of the scire facias made known to the guardian and heirs, or devisees, the plaintiff may prosecute the suit to judgment and execution against the real estate of the ancestor descended or devised to the heirs or devisees.