Losing a loved one is one of the most challenging experiences anyone can endure. Amidst the grief and pain, the last thing you’d want is for their legacy to be tainted by past legal issues. A new amendment to Tennessee Law, TCA 40-32-101, helps protect the reputation of the deceased.
As of May 5, 2023, TCA 40-32-101 now authorizes a personal representative of the decedent to file a petition for the expunction of public records of a person who has been charged with a felony or misdemeanor if the charge has been abated by death. This new law empowers families to ensure their loved one’s legacy remains untarnished by past legal troubles that have been left unadjudicated due to the person’s death.
If your loved one passed away while facing criminal allegations, this law allows his or her records to be cleared posthumously, ensuring a clean slate for their reputation, as well as maintaining the dignity of the family and preserving cherished memories.
