Power Of Attorney in Tennessee

Before You Begin: Tennessee POA Checklist

A valid Tennessee power of attorney requires specific steps, so gather these essentials and understand the rules before you start.

• Decide on the type of POA you need: durable, medical, or general, and confirm it includes the 'Tennessee durable power of attorney' wording if you want it to survive incapacity.
• Have the principal's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number ready; also collect the agent's full name, address, and contact information.
• Ensure the POA is signed by the principal (or by another person at their direction and in their presence) and is notarized to be recordable and accepted by most institutions.
• If you plan to record the POA with a county register of deeds (often needed for real estate transactions), bring a government-issued ID and be prepared to pay a filing fee.
• Avoid common pitfalls: don't use a generic form without Tennessee-specific provisions, and never let the agent sign as a witness or notary.
• Consider a springing power of attorney if you want it to take effect only upon incapacity, and include a clear definition of incapacity as allowed by Tennessee law.