Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Tennessee

Any person who knows of circumstances requiring a guardian may file a sworn petition. A guardian of the person only may be sought in juvenile court; a guardian of the person and/or property may be sought in a court exercising probate jurisdiction or another court of record, in the county where the minor or the (custodial) parents live. Subject to the minor's best interests, the court considers, in order: the parents, a person named by the parents in a will or other writing, adult siblings, the closest relatives, and others.

Tennessee calls an adult's guardian a conservator. Any person who knows the circumstances may petition in a court exercising probate jurisdiction (or another court of record) in the county where the person with a disability lives. The court must find by clear and convincing evidence that the person is fully or partially disabled and needs the court's assistance, and it has an affirmative duty to impose the least restrictive alternatives consistent with adequate protection. Subject to best interests, priority goes to a person the respondent designated in a signed writing, then the spouse, a child, the closest relatives, a district public guardian, and others.