Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Tennessee

Free Tennessee forms for planning an estate or settling one: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed, and the probate forms an executor files.

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Revocable Living Trust

Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.

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Pour-Over Will

In Tennessee, a pour-over will is signed before 2T.C.A. § 32-1-104Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.

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All Tennessee forms

Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Tennessee

Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Tennessee: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.

How Do I Settle a Trust?

Settling a trust in Tennessee happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeTenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysTenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-813(b); § 35-15-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.

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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?

In Tennessee, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Tenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-708Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Tennessee: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysTenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-301Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsT.C.A. §§ 30-2-306, 30-2-307, 30-2-310, 30-2-314, 30-2-317Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.

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Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?

Tennessee has no state income tax, so only the federal final Form 1040 is due for the decedentTenn. Const. art. II, § 28 (Amendment 3, 2014) — no tax on payroll or earned personal income; Tenn. Code Ann. § 67-2-102(5) (Hall income tax rate 0% for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2021) and § 67-2-124(c) ("The income tax levied by this chapter is eliminated for tax years that begin on or after January 1, 2021")Verified Sep 10, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?

Inherited assets in Tennessee take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces no state capital gains taxTenn. Pub. Ch. 181 (2017) (IMPROVE Act, HB 534), §§ 13, 15 — amending Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 67-2-102 and 67-2-124(c) (Hall income tax rate: 4% TY2017 → 3% → 2% → 1% → zero percent (0%) for tax years beginning on/after Jan. 1, 2021)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

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