In Re Estate of Elga Jean Epley

Syllabus

After four creditors filed separate claims against the estate of Elga Jean Epley (\the estate\), the estate timely filed sworn exceptions to each separate claim. The creditors are (1) JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., (2) Bank of America, N.A., (3) Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd on behalf of Citibank, and (4) Maury Regional Health System (collectively \the creditors\). Following a hearing on the claims and the exceptions thereto, during which no testimony was introduced and no representative appeared on behalf of any of the creditors, the trial court denied the exceptions to each of the claims. This appeal by the estate followed. None of the creditors have filed a brief. Thus, none of the creditors have presented arguments in opposition to the issues raised by the estate, as required by Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 27(b) and Rule 6 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals of Tennessee. Having reviewed the record and considered the arguments presented by the estate, we reverse the judgment of the trial court for the reasons set forth below and remand with instructions to deny all of the claims asserted by the appellees and to enter judgment in favor of the estate.