How Do I Get Appointed as Executor in Tennessee?
See the appointing court, the petition that opens the estate, what to file, and bond rules to be appointed in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tennessee has no single statewide fill-in petition; the opening document is prepared to statute and filed with the Chancery Court (probate jurisdiction), or — in counties given a special probate court by private act — a dedicated Probate Court (Shelby County) or a Circuit Court probate division (Davidson County: Seventh Circuit Court – Probate Division) or a General Sessions Court with probate jurisdiction. After the court grants the petition, Clerk & Master (where chancery exercises probate jurisdiction) or the probate/general-sessions court clerk, after the judge or clerk admits the will / grants the petition; all Letters are recorded by the clerk issues your Letters Testamentary (with a will) or Letters of Administration (without a will).
Along with the petition, Tennessee generally requires: Verified petition for letters with the contents required by Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-1-117 (petitioner, decedent, heirs/devisees, value estimate unless bond waived); Original will and any codicils, attached to the petition as an exhibit and lodged for probate (if testate); Proof of will (self-proving affidavit, or affidavit/testimony of an attesting witness) where the will is not self-proving; Oath of the personal representative for faithful performance (before the judge, clerk, or notary) (Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-1-111); Order admitting the will to probate / granting letters; For solemn-form probate: summons/notice served on all beneficiaries and heirs at law; Bond, unless the clerk is excused from requiring one under Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-1-201(a)(1) (will excuses bond; personal representative is the sole beneficiary and the court approves; all beneficiaries are adults, not under disability, and consent by sworn statement with the court approving; or the personal representative is a bank excused by § 45-2-1005).
Yes. Tennessee requires a bond by default before Letters issue. A will can waive it. Beneficiaries can also waive it in writing.
Tennessee permits self-represented filers to open an estate. E-filing is available. The Self-File Probate Assessment compares self-filing and attorney costs for Tennessee.
Yes. A revocable living trust passes assets to beneficiaries without any court appointment in Tennessee — no petition, no Letters, no bond. A revocable trust built with SimplyTrust takes about 15 minutes.
Your kids shouldn't have to do this.
Tennessee Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Tennessee probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
