Fred Thompson's Widow Regrets Estate Fight

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

The widow of the late actor and politician Fred Thompson says she is glad the late U.S. Senator's two eldest sons by a prior marriage have agreed to drop their claims that improper and last minute changes were made in his estate.
Filings in Davidson Probate Court show Fred Thompson Jr. and Dan Thompson agreed to the dismissal of their claims after Jeri Thompson provided documents showing there were no last minute changes.
"Their claims do not and never did have any legal or factual merit," Jeri Thompson's lawyer William Ramsey said in a prepared statement.
"They misread (intentionally or otherwise) descriptions in legal bills that never should have been filed with the court," Ramsey said, adding "Like any other person who has been falsely accused, Mrs. Thompson is relieved that the justice system prevailed to defend her honor and word."
The dispute arose when another Nashville, Tenn. law firm, Waller Lansden, Dortch and Davis filed a claim against the Thompson estate. The claim included detailed information on an effort to put together a new will including the two children born after the one time presidential candidate married Jeri.
Ramsey said Jeri Thompson signed an affidavit stating that only one inconsequential change was made in the week's before Fred Thompson's death on Nov. 1, 2016. Nonetheless the two elder sons pressed their claim and Probate Judge David "Randy" Kennedy issued an order for Jeri Thompson to provide records regarding her late husband's assets and any changes made in the period leading up to his death.
The only change made was an inconsequential one involving the secondary beneficiary on a life insurance policy. Jeri Thompson was the primary beneficiary and had already redeemed the policy by the time the dispute arose, according to court records.
"Mrs. Thompsom regrets deeply the embarrassment done to her late husband's reputation, and the trauma and distress caused by these unfounded allegations," Ramsey concluded.
 Jeri Thompson has disputed the Waller Lansden claim for $14,450, but the matter has not yet been resolved. A hearing on the dispute was postponed at her request.
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