Dispute over Sen. Fred Thompson’s estate ends
NASHVILLE - The sons of actor and former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson have dropped their lawsuit against their step-mother, who they had suggested may have cut them out of Thompson’s estate.
Tony and Dan Thompson filed a lawsuit in August, alleging Jeri Thompson influenced their father at the end of his life to make changes in his will and to his beneficiaries. The sons, in a joint statement, said lastminute legal work drew their concern, and they tried to ask privately for answers but were rebuffed. So they went to court.
“When it was brought to our attention that over $40,000 of legal work was done drafting new estate plans and changing beneficiaries while our father was in hospice, we understandably had questions,” the statement says.
The family discord, according to statements and court documents, stems from a bill the law firm Waller filed against Thompson’s estate. Most recently in the case, Nashville probate Judge Randy Kennedy in February ordered Jeri Thompson to turn over documents related to Thompson’s assets and estate planning.
“The discovery documents we saw satisfied us that our father’s final wishes were followed, allowing us to dismiss the lawsuit,” the sons’ statement reads. “We’re ready to move forward and are grateful dad finally has a tombstone and are hopeful the executor will now take care of her remaining obligations so we can all move on.” Reach Stacey Barchenger at 615-7268968 and on Twitter @sbarchenger.