Everything you need to know about Tennessee Form Annual Accounting, including helpful tips, fast facts & deadlines, how to fill it out, where to submit it and other related TN probate forms.
There are all sorts of forms executors, beneficiaries, and probate court clerks have to fill out and correspond with during probate and estate settlement, including affidavits, letters, petitions, summons, orders, and notices.
Annual Accounting is a commonly used form within Tennessee. Here’s an overview of what the form is and means, including a breakdown of the situations when (or why) you may need to use it:
Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Annual Accounting:
This form pertains to the State of Tennessee
Government forms are not typically updated often, though when they are, it often happens rather quietly. While Atticus works hard to keep this information about Tennessee’s Form Annual Accounting up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.
Double check that you have both the correct form name and the correct form ID. Some Tennessee probate forms can look remarkably similar, so it’s best to double, even triple-check that you’re using the right one! Keep in mind that not all States have a standardized Form ID system for their probate forms.
Fill out all relevant fields in Form Annual Accounting, take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in TN are long enough to begin with, and making a silly error can push your timeline even farther back. No thank you!
Note: If you don’t currently know all of the answers and are accessing Form Annual Accounting online, be sure to avoid closing the browser tab and potentially losing all your progress (or use a platform like Atticus to help avoid making mistakes).
Some States and situations require particular forms to be notarized. If you have been instructed to get the document notarized or see it in writing on the document, then make sure to hire a local notary. There are max notary fees in the United States that are defined and set by local law. Take a look at our full guide to notary fees to make sure you aren’t overpaying or getting ripped off.
This is most often the local probate court where the decedent (person who passed away) is domiciled (permanently resides) or the institution involved with this particular form (e.g. a bank). Some offices allow you to submit forms online, other’s don’t, and we while we generally recommend going in-person to expedite the process, sometimes that simply isn’t an option.
It’s also a generally good idea to establish a positive working relationship with any probate clerk (unfortunately there’s enough people & process out there making things more difficult and unnecessarily confusing for them), so a best practice is to simply ask the probate clerk proactively exactly how and where they’d prefer you to submit all forms.
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Different probate forms or processes can require different deadlines or response times for completing the appropriate form.
While some steps in the process are bound to specific deadlines (like petitioning for probate, having to submit an inventory of assets, or filing applicable notices to creditors and beneficiaries), many probate forms or processes are not tied to a specific deadline since the scope of work can vary based on situational factors or requirements involved.
Either way, there are a bunch of practical reasons why personal representatives should work to complete each step as thoroughly and quickly as possible when completing probate in Tennessee.
The sooner you begin, the faster Tennessee can allow heirs and beneficiaries to get their share of assets subject to probate. Acting promptly can also decrease the costs & overall mental fatigue through an otherwise burdensome process.
Helpful Context: What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?
In general, creditors of an estate usually have around 3-6 months from the time you file notice to creditors to file any claims for debt against the deceased’s assets. If they don’t, then that debt is forfeited (and more importantly, the executor won’t be held personally responsible). So doing this sooner means you have a better idea of who is owed what and ensures you won’t get a surprise collector months later.
Not filing a will within 30 days (on average) could mean that the probate process proceeds according to intestate laws (laws that govern what happens to someone's stuff without a will) or is subject to unnecessary supervision by the probate court. And if you aren't directly related to the deceased (a.k.a. next of kin), this could also mean you lose your inheritance.
It’s important to file any necessary state tax returns on behalf of the deceased or estate by the following tax season in Tennessee. If you don’t, you could owe penalties and interest. This also includes any necessary federal tax returns such as Forms 1040, 1041, or even a Form 706 estate tax return.
If a house in the State of Tennessee is left empty (or abandoned) for a while, insurance can get dicey. For example, if the house burns down and no one has been there for a year, an insurance company may get out of paying your claim.
If you’re not using Atticus to get specific forms, deadlines, and timelines for Tennessee probate, then try and stay as organized as possible, pay close attention to the dates mentioned in any correspondence you have with the State’s government officials, call the local Tennessee probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form Annual Accounting, and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.
Annual Accounting is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.
It may also be available through some Tennessee probate court sites, such as . In order to access the latest version, be updated with any revisions, and get full instructions on how to complete each form, check out the Atticus Probate & Estate Settlement software or consider hiring a qualified legal expert locally within Tennessee.
While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form Annual Accounting f using any other site or resource in order to avoid having to re-complete the form process and/or make another trip to the Tennessee probate court office.
Annual Accounting is a .pdf, so opening it should be as simple as clicking “View Form” from within the Atticus app or by clicking the appropriate link found on any Tennessee-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.
Form Annual Accounting is a probate form in Tennessee.
Tennessee has multiple types of probate and the necessary forms depend on the unique aspects of each estate, such as type and value of assets, whether there was a valid will, who is serving as the personal representative or executor, and even whether or not they also live in Tennessee.
During probate, all personal representatives and executives in are required to submit a detailed inventory of assets that must separate non-probate assets from probate assets.
Probate in Tennessee, especially without guidance, can take years to finish and cost upwards of $14,000.
What is probate, exactly?
Probate is the government’s way of making sure that when a person dies, the right stuff goes to the right people (including the taxes the government wants).
All of that stuff is collectively known as someone’s “estate”, and it’s the job of the executor or personal representative to fill out all the forms and complete all the required steps to formally dissolve the estate.
To get instant clarity on the entire probate process and get an idea of the steps, timeline, and best practices, read the Atticus Beginner’s Guide to Probate.
Where can I get help with Probate?
The best place? Create an account in Atticus to start getting estate-specific advice.
You may need a lawyer, you may not, and paying for one when you didn’t need it really hurts. Atticus makes sure you make the best decisions (plus you can write it off as an executor expense).
We’ve also created a list of other probate services. Be sure to check it out!
What does a TN executor or personal representative have to do?
An executor is named in someone’s will, and if the deceased didn’t have a will, then the spouse or other close family relative usually steps up to fulfill the role. If no one wants to do it, then a judge will appoint someone.
The executor is responsible for the complete management of the probate process, including major responsibilities such as:
Creating an inventory of all probate assets.
Filling out all necessary forms
Paying off all estate debts and taxes
Submitting reports to the court and beneficiaries as requested
And much more. This process often stretches longer than a year.
For an idea of what separates executors who succeed from those who make this way harder than it should be, visit our article, Executors of an Estate:
What they do & secrets to succeeding.
Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on Tennessee Form Annual Accounting. You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.
DAVIDSON COUNTY PROBATE COURT IN RE: Docket No: ANNUAL ESTATE ACCOUNTING INSTRUCTION SHEET AND CHECKLIST [ALL FORMS AVAILABLE at: http://circuitclerk.nashville.gov/probate/probateforms.asp] Unless waived by Court Order, the first Accounting is due within 15 months from the date the Personal Representative is appointed. All other Accountings thereafter should be filed annually [per T.C.A. §30-2-601]. The items required for a complete Accounting are listed below. INCOMPLETE ACCOUNTINGS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN THE CLERK’S OFFICE. If you have any questions, please call the Clerk’s Office at (615) 862-5980. Detailed Annual Accounting - Estate form must be completed and included [T.C.A. §30-2-601(a)]: • Signed. • Acknowledged. • Verify that Totals p rovided are correct. A List of Financial Accounts and Financial Information Form(s) must be completed. Detailed Accounting Register must be included [p er T.C.A. §30-2-601(a)]: • Various software programs are acceptable (if the Clerk’s Office form is not used). • The Detailed Accounting Register must contain: o Date o Payee o Check or Debit o Amounts and Balances • Separate Registers should be used for each account. Financial S tatements must be included as follows [p er T.C.A. §30-2-601(e)]: • All financial accounts must be provided, i.e. checking, savings, Certificates of Deposit, annuities, stock accounts, mutual funds, brokerage accounts, etc. (Copies are acceptable) • Statements provided must pertain to the accounting period for which they are filed. • Images of cancelled checks or the actual cancelled checks ARE REQUIRED. • If the total funds have been invested for the entire accounting period, only the most recent Financial Statement must be provided. Estate Status Report must be included [p ursuant to Order of the Probate Court]. Certificate of Service must be completed and included [per Davidson County Local Rule 6.02]: • The Certificate of Service certifies that copies of the Accounting and supporting documents have been mailed to all interested parties. Corporate Surety Statement must be included if Bond has not been waived [p er T.C.A. §30-1-201, et seq.]: • This will state that the Bond set is still in effect. 9/19/14 In the Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee (Probate Division) Docket No: Decedent DETAILED ANNUAL ACCOUNTING – ESTATE COMES NOW the Personal Representative in this matter and respectfully submits the attached Annual Accounting to the Court for the period of , 20 , to , 20 . The combined totals of all accounts required for this Accounting are as follows: Beginning Balance for all accounts combined ................. $ Total Receipts (+) for all accounts combined................ $ Total Disbursements (-) for all accounts combined ...... $ Ending Balance for all accounts combined ...................... $ After review of the attached Report of the Clerk, the foregoing Accounting is hereby adopted and approved for recording by this Court, this ____________ day of _______________________, 20___________. __________________________________________ Probate Judge 9/19/14 I, ________________________________, Personal Representative, swear or affirm that this settlement of the accounts exhibits a full, true, and just statement of each and every asset which should be charged, and the credits to which are entitled, to the best of my knowledge and belief. ___________________________________________ Personal Representative Sworn to and subscribed before me, this _____________ day of ____________________________, 20________. ___________________________________ ________________________________________________ Commission Expiration Date Notary Public / Deputy Clerk CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE [YOU MUST MAIL A COPY OF THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES AND COMPLETE THIS CERTIFICATE VERIFYING THE DATE MAILED.] I hereby certify that a true and exact copy of the foregoing Accounting and supporting documents has been served by U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, upon the interested parties listed below. (SIGNATURE) DATE: NAME: ADDRESS: NAME: ADDRESS: NAME: ADDRESS: NAME: ADDRESS: NAME: ADDRESS: NAME: ADDRESS: NAME: ADDRESS: NAME: ADDRESS: [ADD ADDITIONAL PAGE(S) FOR LISTING OF INTERESTED PARTIES, IF NECESSARY] 9/19/14 LIST OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS A separate Financial Information Form must be completed for EACH financial account. FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TYPE OF ACCOUNT ACCOUNT NUMBER (LAST 4 DIGITS ONLY) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. [ADDITIONAL PAGE(S) MAY BE ATTACHED, IF NECESSARY] 9/19/14 FINANCIAL LISTING #____________ FINANCIAL INFORMATION FORM This form should be attached to ALL the depository accounts you are in control of as Personal Representative or Fiduciary such as checking, savings, money market, Certificate of Deposit, brokerage, stock, investment, IRA, Annuity, etc., and any other account(s) you report to the Court annually. A separate form MUST be included for EACH account. For example, if the asset is a Certificate of Deposit which is maturing and you have purchased (or renewed) another C.D., you should list the status of the maturing C.D. as “closed” and the status of the new C.D. as “active” – providing the new maturity date, financial institution, and amount. ASSET (Money Market, Certificate of Deposit, checking account, savings account, etc.): ACCOUNT NO (last 4 digits only): FINANCIAL INSTITUTION: Beginning Balance................................. $ Total Receipts (+)............................. $ Total Disbursements (-)...................... $ Ending Balance as of .. $ Maturity Date (if applicable)...................... ACCOUNT STATUS: Active Closed / Date Closed: Is the Asset covered by your Surety Bond or by a Freeze/Restricted Account Agreement? A copy of the Agreement MUST be attached if it is a Freeze/Restricted Account. Be sure that ALL account statements and imaged copies of the front and back of ALL cancelled checks (if any) are attached to this Summary, as well as the Accounting Register. EACH depository account should be itemized on separate Accounting Register(s). 9/19/14 STARTING BALANCE PROBATE ACCOUNTING REGISTER Financial Account #________________________________ DATE TRANSACTION DESCRIPTION ADDITIONS (RECEIPTS) CHECK NUMBER SUBTRACTIONS (DISBURSEMENTS)  BALANCE TOTALS STARTING BALANCE + DEPOSITS - DISBURSEMENTS BALANCE ALL STATEMENTS AND CHECKS (FRONT AND BACK) SHOULD BE ATTACHED. 9/19/14 In the Circuit Court of Davidson County, Tennessee (Probate Division) IN THE ESTATE OF: DOCKET NO: Decedent Estate Status Report The status of this Estate: The reason the Estate remains open: A detailed listing of all that remains to be done to complete the administration of the Estate: The amount of time reasonably necessary to complete the administration: Name and Address of the Personal Representative(s): E- Mail Address: Submitted By: (Signature) Date 9/19/14 In the Circuit Court of Davidson County, Tennessee (Probate Division) CORPORATE SURETY STATEMENT (ESTATE) IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NO: Decedent We, , acting as Corporate Surety in the above referenced matter, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, §30-1-201, hereby submit the following statement to the Court: We are Surety on the Bond set by the Court in the above referenced matter and by the execution of this Statement to the Court, hereby acknowledge that we are Surety in this matter and that the Bond amount is $ . We further state that said Bond is in force for the next annual period and will remain in effect until the Surety is discharged by further orders of the Court. The Bond’s current expiration date is . This ______________ day of _______________________________, 20_________. SIGNATURE OF SURETY: NAME OF CORPORATE SURETY: ADDRESS: 9/19/14
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