Tennessee Estate Planning Guide — Wills, Trusts & More
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives — protecting your family and your wishes
Estate planning serves two groups of people at once. If you are planning ahead, it is about making sure your wishes are followed and your family is protected — through a will, trust, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. If someone in your family has recently passed away, these same documents (or the absence of them) control what happens next. Either way, the starting point is the same: understanding what tools exist and which ones apply to your situation.
Making a valid will in Tennessee
To make a valid will in Tennessee, you must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind. The will must be in writing, signed by the Testator, and witnessed by 2 competent witnesses §32-1-104. A self-proving affidavit §32-2-110 allows the will to be admitted to probate without requiring witnesses to testify.
Tennessee also recognizes holographic (handwritten) wills §32-1-105, though a formally witnessed will is always preferred.
Tennessee recognizes both holographic and nuncupative (oral) wills, though oral wills are limited to personal property and require specific conditions.
Trusts and avoiding probate
Tennessee has adopted the Uniform Trust Code §35-15-101, providing a comprehensive framework for creating and administering trusts.
A revocable living trust is the primary tool for avoiding Probate in Tennessee. Property transferred into the trust during your lifetime passes to beneficiaries according to the trust terms — without court involvement, publication, or the delays associated with probate.
Tennessee does not currently allow transfer-on-death (TOD) deeds for real estate — a trust or other planning method is needed to avoid probate on real property.
Will vs. trust: which do you need?
| Will | Revocable trust | |
|---|---|---|
| Takes effect | After death §32-1-104 | Immediately (you manage it while alive) §35-15-101 |
| Avoids Probate | No — goes through probate court §32-1-104 | Yes — assets in trust skip probate §35-15-101 |
| Privacy | Public record once filed | Remains private |
| Incapacity planning | No — only covers death | Yes — successor Trustee steps in §35-15-101 |
| Cost to create | Lower | Higher |
| Ongoing maintenance | None | Must transfer assets into the trust |
| Who needs it | Everyone — baseline document | Homeowners, larger estates, privacy-focused |
Powers of attorney
In Tennessee, a Power of attorney must explicitly state that it is durable to survive the principal's incapacity §34-6-102.
A financial Power of attorney lets someone you choose manage your finances, pay bills, and handle property if you become unable to do so. Without one, your family may need to petition the court for a conservatorship — a costly and time-consuming process §34-3-101.
Healthcare directives
Tennessee recognizes advance directives §68-11-1803 that let you state your wishes for medical treatment if you cannot speak for yourself. A health care agent §68-11-1803 designates someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.
Tennessee's Health Care Decisions Act provides a statutory advance care plan form that combines treatment preferences with agent designation.
Power of attorney vs. healthcare directive
| Financial Power of attorney | advance directive | health care agent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Manage finances and property §34-6-102 | State treatment preferences §68-11-1803 | Name a healthcare decision-maker §68-11-1803 |
| When it activates | Immediately or upon incapacity §34-6-102 | When you cannot communicate | When you cannot make medical decisions |
| Who acts | Your chosen agent | No one — it speaks for you | Your chosen proxy |
| Scope | Bank accounts, bills, property, taxes | End-of-life treatment, life support | All medical decisions on your behalf |
| Ends | Death or revocation | Death or revocation | Death or revocation |
| Required? | Not legally, but practically essential | Recommended for everyone | Recommended for everyone |
Guardianship for minor children
If you have children under 18, your will is the primary way to nominate a guardian §34-2-101. Without a nomination, the court decides — and the result may not match your wishes. Naming a guardian in your will does not guarantee the appointment, but it carries significant weight with the court.
Estate and inheritance taxes
Tennessee does not impose a separate state estate tax or inheritance tax. Only the federal estate tax (currently $13.61 million per person §26 U.S.C. § 2010) applies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
General answers to common questions. Specific outcomes depend on your facts and timing.
If you have a deadline, court notice, or upcoming hearing, mention it when requesting assistance so timing can be evaluated promptly.
- Witnesses required: 2
- Holographic wills: valid
- Self-proving affidavit: available