Living Will in Tennessee
State-specific overview · Estate & Probate
Tennessee requires two witnesses, neither of whom can be your health care provider or related to you by blood or marriage.
How Tennessee treats Living Will
Tennessee recognizes living wills and requires strict witness requirements: two witnesses must sign, and neither can be your attending physician, a hospital employee, or related to you by blood or marriage. Your document should be in writing and clearly express your wishes about life-sustaining treatment. Tennessee also allows you to designate a health care agent, though the living will and agent designation can be separate documents.
The general definition of Living Will
A document stating your wishes about life-sustaining medical treatment if you become unable to communicate.
A living will (also called an advance directive) is a written statement of your medical preferences if you're ever in a coma, terminal illness, or unable to speak for yourself. You can specify whether you want life support, feeding tubes, or resuscitation. Doctors and family members use it to make decisions that honor your values when you cannot.
Read the full Living Will entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.