Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-12-130 (2026)

• (a) Any personal representative of the estate of any deceased person in this state may commence and prosecute any action or suit, or appeal, in favor of the estate represented by the personal representative, in any court without giving bond and security for costs, by taking and subscribing an oath that the personal representative, as such personal representative, has no property belonging to the estate of the deceased out of which to bear the expenses of the action or suit by filing of an accompanying affidavit of indigency as prescribed by court rule, and that the personal representative verily believes that the estate, for the benefit of which the action or suit is brought, is justly entitled to the redress sought. The filing of such a civil action without paying the costs or taxes or giving security for the costs or taxes does not relieve the responsibility for the costs or taxes, but merely suspends their collection until taxed by the court.

• (b) In such case the personal representative shall not incur any personal liability, unless the court trying the case should be of the opinion and adjudge that the action was frivolous or malicious.

Acts 1897, ch. 133; Shan., § 4930a2; mod. Code 1932, § 9083; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 20-1632; Acts 1995, ch. 242, § 4.