Tennessee § 26-3-101 - Personalty levied on first.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 26-3-101 — Personalty levied on first., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 26-3-101. Personalty levied on first.
Executions shall be levied on the goods and chattels of the defendant, in the first instance, if any there be; but if, to the best of the officer's knowledge, there be no such goods and chattels, or not sufficient to answer the plaintiff's demands, the same shall be executed upon the lands and tenements. Code 1858, § 3026 (deriv. Acts 1794, ch. 1, § 23); Shan., § 4754; Code 1932, § 8888; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 26-401. Cross-References. Costs to plaintiff for transportation and storage of property levied upon, § 26-3-117 . Proceedings on distress warrant for collection of taxes, § 67-1-1202 . Real defendant in action against levying officer, §§ 20-1-117 , 20-1-118 . Registration of abstract, §§ 25-5-103 , 25-5-107 — 25-5-109 . Textbooks. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 12 Tenn. Juris., Executions, §§ 11, 20. Law Reviews. Enforcement of Judgments in Tennessee, 22 Tenn. L. Rev. 873. Forms of Relief, 4 Mem. St. U.L. Rev. 400. Judicial Reform at the Lowest Level: A Model Statute for Small Claims Courts, Part III, 28 Vand. L. Rev. 747. The Collection of Debts from Insolvent and Fully-Mortgaged Debtors (John A. Walker, Jr.), 43 Tenn. L. Rev. 399.
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 26-3-101
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 26-3-101 cover?
Section 26-3-101 ("Personalty levied on first.") 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 § 26-3-101?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 26-3-101" (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 § 26-3-101 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.