Source: https://willing.com/tennessee-last-will-testament
Timestamp: 2019-03-23 23:32:48
Document Index: 621488344

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32']

Tennessee Last Will & Testament - Write Your Legal Will - Willing
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The legal requirements for making a will in Tennessee can be found in TN Code § 32-1-101. See below for the basics.
Tennessee Will Requirements
To make a valid will in Tennessee, certain legal requirements must be met. There are requirements for both the person making the will (called a “testator”), and for the will itself.
Any person of sound mind eighteen (18) years of age or older may make a will. TN Code § 32-1-102.
Regarding the will itself, the standard requirements are set forth in TN Code § 32-1-104.
(1) The testator shall signify to the attesting witnesses that the instrument is the testator’s will and either:
(C) At the testator’s direction and in the testator’s presence have someone else sign the testator’s name; and
Although there are various exceptions and special rules, these are the standard requirements for Tennessee wills.
In addition, Tennessee allows a will to be made without witnesses if it is written by hand by the testator and signed at the end. TN Code § 32-1-105. This is called a “holographic will”. Holographic wills offer some convenience, but they come with the risk of making mistakes that could leave a will invalid.
You should definitely have your will notarized. Under Tennessee law, a will that meets certain requirements — including proper notarization — is “self proved”. TN Code § 32-2-110. A self proved will can be admitted to probate court without the testimony of the witnesses to the will. (When a will that isn’t self proved is submitted to the probate court, the court will require testimony from witnesses, or other proof, to establish that the will is what it claims to be.)
How does it work? To make a will self-proved in Tennessee, the witnesses must sign a “self proving affidavit” before a notary public. An affidavit is a sworn statement, and a notary public is an officer of the court. Therefore, an affidavit before a notary public is like making a statement in court. So, when an affidavit states that the will was properly executed, it’s as good as in-court testimony, and the witnesses don’t need to show up when it’s time for the will to be admitted to court. TN Code § 32-2-110.
Do I need an attorney to make a will in Tennessee?
No. An attorney is not required to make a will in Tennessee. For the vast majority of people, an attorney will simply do the same things that a good will-making software does — ask you questions and then create documents for you based on your information and wishes. However, in certain situations it is a good idea seek legal advice from an attorney, like if you have a child with special needs, or if you have a high net worth (around $10 million) and are concerned about federal estate taxes. In these cases, an attorney can help you navigate special questions and create a proper plan.
Tennessee law handles old wills in two ways. First, if you have an old will in place, you can cancel it by creating a new one. A good will usually contains a statement that it revokes (cancels) any prior wills. Second, a will can be cancelled simply by physically destroying it. TN Code § 32-1-201.
Under Tennessee law, a will is filed with the court after the death of the testator. TN Code § 32-1-112. So, after you pass away, your will should be filed in your local probate court by the person named to be your personal representative (also called an “executor” or “administrator”). This will begin the legal process known as “probate” through which your wishes are carried out under court supervision.