Cheatham County judge grants adoptions, approves name change and orders probate accounting in busy docket

At a hearing in Cheatham County Circuit Court, the presiding judge signed orders approving multiple routine family- and probate-related requests on the docket, including ex parte adoptions, a name change and directives for estate accounting.

Petitioner Blake Marcus Hollier sought to formalize parental relationships with two adults, Gavin James Ivester (born June 17, 2003) and Jackson Wayne Ivester (born June 12, 2006), saying he had served in a parental role. After testimony from the petitioner and the adults, the judge said he was satisfied that the adoptions were in the parties’ best interests and granted the ex parte adoption orders. The judge told the courtroom: "I'm happy to grant your adoption and congratulations. I'll sign your order." The petitioner agreed to sign the orders in court rather than use electronic signatures.

The court also handled routine probate matters. John W. Guy Jr. was appointed personal representative/administrator in the open estate matter presented in court. Melinda Darlene Hayes, identified as a personal representative for the estate of Ruby Nellgroves, advised the court that the estate’s assets had been marshaled at Pinnacle Bank; the judge indicated he would sign the closure order pending verification of signatures.

In a separate probate action, counsel asked the court to disburse excess proceeds from a tax sale of Lot 24 in the Sycamore Harbor subdivision. The record shows the property sold for $18,000, leaving $14,097.90 in excess sale proceeds. Heirs Dawn Dishman, Shirley Scott and Johnna Baker—who testified under oath that they are granddaughters of the decedent, Susie Brown—asked that the funds be divided equally. The judge granted the motion and directed counsel to submit a corrected order.

The judge granted a name-change petition filed by Carlos Antonio Fuller, who asked to be known as Charles Anthony Fuller. After the court asked whether the requested change was intended to evade creditors or criminal process and received denials, the judge signed the name-change order.

On a motion relating to estate administration, the court granted a request for a detailed accounting and required the filing of an amended inventory after counsel reported receipt of additional bank records. The judge explained the difference between an inventory and an accounting and ordered the parties to supplement filings; a final hearing date in March was discussed and tentatively scheduled.

In Butler v. Butler, the court granted the wife’s request to accept a listing-price recommendation from realtor Amanda Bell, agreed to the wife's proposed relocation to East Tennessee (the husband reserved additional parenting time), and ordered that proceeds from any sale be paid into the circuit court clerk’s office so the funds would be traceable and accessible to the husband.

Court staff indicated these matters concluded the day’s business.