Will Requirements in Tennessee
A Tennessee will needs the testator's signature and two witnesses signing in each other's presence, holographic wills are valid if proven by two witnesses to the handwriting, and witness affidavits can self-prove a will.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Tennessee at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Recognized
The rules in Tennessee
How many witnesses does a will need in Tennessee?
A will in Tennessee must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee recognizes handwritten (holographic) wills that meet its requirements.
Where do the Tennessee rules for wills come from?
They come from Tenn. Code 32-1-104, Tenn. Code 32-1-105 and Tenn. Code 32-2-110. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee is one of 27 jurisdictions that recognize handwritten wills.
What this means in practice
Sign the will in front of all the witnesses at the same time and have them sign right after you. Many people choose adult witnesses who receive nothing under the will, which avoids questions later.
Keep the signed original somewhere safe and tell your executor where it is. A copy is usually not enough to probate a will.
Changing a will later takes the same formalities: sign a codicil or a new will with witnesses, rather than writing changes on the original.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.