Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Tennessee

You can read about how intestate succession works in Tennessee here:

http://c2law.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/exactly-why-do-i-need-a-will/

(You can cut and paste this link into your browser.)

In a nutshell: with no will, an estate first goes to spouse and/or children; if no spouse or children, then to parents. If no parents, then to siblings.

So, in the situation you describe, your mother would inherit only if your aunt was unmarried, had no living children/grandchildren or living parents; then, your mother would share the estate with any other living siblings (or the siblings' children, if siblings are deceased). If no other siblings/their children, then she inherits the entire estate.

I hope this information helps.