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SB 984

Real Property - As introduced, enacts the "Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act." - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 30; Title 31; Title 32; Title 35; Title 55; Title 66 and Title 67.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Steve Southerland

Tennessee enacts the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act, allowing property owners to designate beneficiaries to automatically receive real estate upon death outside probate court.

Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 984

Legislative bill overview

SB 984 enacts Tennessee's version of the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act, allowing property owners to designate beneficiaries to receive real property automatically upon death without going through probate. The bill modifies multiple sections of Tennessee Code to integrate this new transfer mechanism into existing property law frameworks across eight different titles covering real estate, trusts, and related matters.

Why is this important

This legislation provides an alternative to traditional estate planning methods like wills and trusts, potentially reducing costs and delays for families settling estates. It particularly affects middle-income Tennesseans who own property but may not have formal estate plans, offering a simpler mechanism for property transfer while reducing probate court workload.

Potential points of contention

  • Creditor protections: Questions about whether transferred property remains accessible to satisfy the decedent's outstanding debts and tax obligations during the estate settlement process
  • Spousal and family rights: Potential concerns about whether this mechanism adequately protects surviving spouses' statutory elective share rights and family allowances under Tennessee law
  • Clarity and standardization: The broad scope of amendments across eight different code titles raises questions about consistency in implementation and how these provisions interact with existing probate, trust, and property transfer laws

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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