Tennessee § 32-4-101 - Certificate that will is contested — Contestant's bond.

Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 32-4-101 — Certificate that will is contested — Contestant's bond., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 32-4-101. Certificate that will is contested — Contestant's bond.

If the validity of any last will or testament, written or nuncupative, is contested, then the court having probate jurisdiction over that last will or testament must enter an order sustaining or denying the contestant's right to contest the will. If the right to contest the will is sustained, then the court must: Require the contestant to enter into bond, with surety, in the penal sum of five hundred dollars ($500), payable to the executor mentioned in the will, conditioned for the faithful prosecution of the suit, and in case of failure in the suit, to pay all costs that may accrue on the suit; and Cause a certificate of the contest and the original will to be filed with the appropriate court for trial. As used in this section, the term “the appropriate court for trial” means the court elected by the contestant, in the notice of contest, to conduct a trial upon the validity of the will. Code 1858, § 2173 (deriv. Acts 1835-1836, ch. 5, § 9; 1835-1836, ch. 18, § 2); Shan., § 3905; Code 1932, § 8103; Acts 1980, ch. 765, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 32-401; Acts 2002, ch. 631, § 1. Cross-References. Circuit court jurisdiction, § 16-10-103 . Fees of clerks of courts administering probate matters, §§ 8-21-401 , 8-21-701 , 8-21-702 . Jurisdiction of chancery courts of probate and related matters, title 16, ch. 16, part 2. Textbooks. Pritchard on Wills and Administration of Estates (4th ed., Phillips and Robinson), §§ 346, 350. Tennessee Forms (Robinson, Ramsey and Harwell), Nos. 4-1405, 4-1502, 4-1503. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 18 Tenn. Juris., Mandamus, § 9; 25 Tenn. Juris., Wills, §§ 51, 59, 62, 67, 68, 82. Law Reviews. Civil Procedure — Flowers v. Dyer County: The Death of the Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction, 23 Mem. St. U.L. Rev. 409 (1993). Decedents' Estates, Trusts and Future Interests — 1961 Tennessee Survey (Herman L. Trautman), 14 Vand. L. Rev. 1253 (1961). Decedents' Estates, Trusts and Future Interests — 1964 Tennessee Survey (Herman L. Trautman), 18 Vand. L. Rev. 1185 (1965). Estate, Gift and Trust Law-Joint and Mutual Wills-Proper Jurisdictional Vehicles for Contract-Based Mutual Wills Claims, 80 Tenn. L. Rev. 883 (2013). “The Law of Joint Wills, A Recent Development” (William L. Harbison), 24 No. 3, Tenn. B.J. 24 (1988). The Tennessee Court System — Probate Courts, 8 Mem. St. U.L. Rev. 461 (1978).

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 32-4-101

What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 32-4-101 cover?

Section 32-4-101 ("Certificate that will is contested — Contestant's bond.") 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 § 32-4-101?

A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 32-4-101" (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 § 32-4-101 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.