Tennessee § 30-1-101 - Letters testamentary or of administration required.

Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 30-1-101 — Letters testamentary or of administration required., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 30-1-101. Letters testamentary or of administration required.

No person shall presume to enter upon the administration of any deceased person's estate until the person has obtained letters of administration or letters testamentary. Code 1858, § 2201 (deriv. Acts 1715, ch. 48, § 4); Shan., § 3933; Code 1932, § 8143; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 30-101. Cross-References. Administrators ad litem, § 30-1-109 . Appointment of administrator at request of commissioner of revenue, § 67-8-405 . Bond required, § 30-1-201 . Definitions in § 31-1-101 applicable to this title, § 30-1-150 . “Executor” defined, § 1-3-105 . Jurisdiction of chancery courts of probate and related matters, title 16, chapter 16, part 2. Next of kin suing for debts due decedent's estate in their own names, § 30-2-714 . Public administrators, guardians, and trustees, title 30, ch. 1, part 4. “Representative” defined, § 1-3-105 . Textbooks. Pritchard on Wills and Administration of Estates (4th ed., Phillips and Robinson), §§ 33, 34, 489, 493, 521, 535. Tennessee Forms (Robinson, Ramsey and Harwell), Nos. 4-703, 4-706, 4-804. Law Reviews. Attorney v. Client — Privity, Malpractice, and the Lack of Respect for the Primacy of the Attorney-Client Relationship in Estate Planning, 68 Tenn. L. Rev. 261 (2001). Confused by tax reforms? Follow these 10 key rules for better estate planning in Tennessee (Dan W. Holbrook), 37 No. 8 Tenn. B.J. 12 (2001). Ethics — Petty v. Privette: Exclusion of Attorney Liability in the Area of Estate Administration, 23 Mem. St. U.L. Rev. 687 (1993). Symposium: The Role of Federal Law in Private Wealth Transfer: A Fresh Look at State Asset Protection Trust Statutes, 67 Vand. L. Rev. 1741 (2014). Symposium: The Role of Federal Law in Private Wealth Transfer: Comment, Federalizing Principles of Donative Intent and Unanticipated Circumstances, 67 Vand. L. Rev. 1931 (2014). Symposium: The Role of Federal Law in Private Wealth Transfer: Comment, Is Federalization of Charity Law All Bad? What States Can Learn from the Internal Revenue Code, 67 Vand. L. Rev. 1621 (2014). Symposium: The Role of Federal Law in Private Wealth Transfer: Comment, The Stored Communications Act and Digital Assets, 67 Vand. L. Rev. 1729 (2014). Symposium: The Role of Federal Law in Private Wealth Transfer: Destructive Federal Preemption of State Wealth Transfer Law in Beneficiary Designation Cases: Hillman Doubles Down on Egelhoff, 67 Vand. L. Rev. 1665 (2014). Symposium: The Role of Federal Law in Private Wealth Transfer: Disclaimers and Federalism, 67 Vand. L. Rev. 1871 (2014). Symposium: The Role of Federal Law in Private Wealth Transfer: Federal Visions of Private Family Support, 67 Vand. L. Rev. 1835 (2014). Symposium: The Role of Federal Law in Private Wealth Transfer: In Search of the Probate Exception, 67 Vand. L. Rev. 1533 (2014). Symposium: The Role of Federal Law in Private Wealth Transfer: Probate Law Meets the Digital Age, 67 Vand. L. Rev. 1697 (2014). Symposium: The Role of Federal Law in Private Wealth Transfer: The Creeping Federalization of Wealth-Transfer Law, 67 Vand. L. Rev. 1635 (2014). Symposium: The Role of Federal Law in Private Wealth Transfer: Unconstitutional Perpetual Trusts, 67 Vand. L. Rev. 1769 (2014).

Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 30-1-101

What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 30-1-101 cover?

Section 30-1-101 ("Letters testamentary or of administration required.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Tennessee § 30-1-101?

A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 30-1-101" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Tennessee law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.

How does Tennessee § 30-1-101 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.