Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee Document Filing Requirements
185 rules from official source documents
Rules 1 to 50, page 1 of 4
Required elements, certificates, and structural requirements for court documents.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Proposed order
- Must include
- proposed order
Proposed orders prepared by counsel must be filed with the Clerk within 7 calendar days of the court's ruling.
When the court directs, counsel will prepare orders for the court’s entry. All proposed orders must be filed with the Clerk and served on opposing counsel within 7 calendar days of the court’s ruling.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Trial brief
Trial briefs are required in all non-jury civil cases.
Trial briefs are required in all non-jury civil cases.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Filing
- Must include
- ai disclosure
Papers must be signed with full contact information, and generative-AI content must be verified; violations may result in sanctions.
Papers must be signed with full contact information. Signatures certify accuracy and proper purpose. Use of generative AI requires verification of all content. Violations may result in sanctions.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Facsimile filing cover sheet
- Must include
- caption, case number
Each fax-filed document must include a cover sheet with the listed case, document, sender, page-count, date, and filing-instruction information.
Any document filed by facsimile transmission shall be accompanied by the uniform cover sheet set forth in the comment to this rule stating: the caption of the case; the trial court docket number; the title of the transmitted document; the number of pages of the facsimile transmission (including the cover sheet); the sender’s name, address, voice telephone number, and facsimile telephone number; and the date of the facsimile transmission. The cover sheet shall also contain clear and concise instructions as to the filing of the transmitted document.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Disclosure
If an interview discloses opinions on standard of care, compliance, or causation, the interviewing party must file a disclosure of the opinions' substance signed by the person expressing them.
In the event any opinion is disclosed during the interview concerning the standard of care of any healthcare provider, compliance with or breach of the standard, and/or causation of the alleged injury, then the party conducting the interview shall file a disclosure containing the substance of the opinions expressed. Said disclosure shall be signed by the person expressing the opinions
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Class action complaint
A class-action complaint must place “Complaint – Class Action” next to the caption.
Class‑action complaints must include “Complaint – Class Action” next to the caption.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion to seal
Motions to seal must state specific facts and compelling reasons overcoming the presumption of public access.
Motions to file court documents under seal must state specific facts and compelling reasons sufficient to overcome the presumption in favor of public access to court records.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Letter
When a QPO authorizing informal interviews is granted, the petitioner must notify the treating health care provider by letter with a copy of the QPO, advising that participation is voluntary and may be refused without recourse.
Should a court determine, in its discretion, that a QPO authorizing informal oral interviews with non-party treating physicians is appropriate, the petitioner shall notify the treating health care provider by letter, including a copy of the QPO, that participation in the interview is voluntary and that the provider has the right to refuse to the interview without recourse.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Petition to sell real property
A conservator must obtain court approval to sell a respondent's real property by filing a verified petition establishing the sale is in the respondent's best interest or necessary to pay obligations.
A conservator may not sell a respondent’s interest in real property without court approval. The conservator must file a verified petition to sell real property. The petition must establish that the proposed sale either (i) is in the respondent’s best interest, or (ii) is necessary to pay the respondent’s financial obligations.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion to approve sales contract
The motion to approve a sales contract must attach a copy of the sales contract and the County Assessor's report or a professional appraisal.
The fiduciary must attach to the motion, (i) a copy of the sales contract, and (ii) the County Assessor of Property’s report of the real property’s assessed value or a professional appraisal of the real property.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion to approve sales contract
When court approval is required, the fiduciary must file and serve a motion to approve the sales contract and give notice to all interested parties.
For sales of real property in which court approval is required, when the fiduciary enters into a sales contract, the fiduciary must file and serve a motion to approve the contract under Local Rules §§ 26 and 39.13, and give Notice to all Interested Parties, including the respondent if in a conservatorship.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion to set for trial
The motion to set the case for trial must include a notice of the hearing date for the motion.
The motion to set the case for trial must include a notice of hearing date for the motion.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Temporary restraining order application
A TRO applicant must certify in writing the efforts made to notify the adverse party and why notice should not be required.
the applicant’s attorney or the self-represented applicant certifies in writing the efforts made to give notice of the application and the reasons why notice should not be required;
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Temporary restraining order application
- Must include
- proposed order
TRO applications must include a proposed restraining order with space for the court to set the temporary injunction hearing date, time, and location.
The applicant must submit a proposed restraining order with the application that provides space for the court to set a date, time, and location for a temporary injunction hearing.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Order granting petition to sell real property
An order granting a petition to sell real property must authorize the fiduciary to obtain an appraisal, list and market the property, and enter into a sales contract.
Unless the court expressly directs otherwise, any order granting a petition to sell real property must authorize the fiduciary to obtain an appraisal, list the real property for sale, market the property, and enter into a contract for sale of the real property.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion to approve contract
- Must include
- proposed order
A motion to approve a contract must include the contract and property valuation, and the sale cannot close before court approval.
Motions must attach the contract and property valuation, and sales cannot close until approved.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Petition to sell real property
A guardian must obtain court approval to sell a minor's real property by filing a verified petition establishing the sale is in the minor's best interest or necessary to pay obligations.
A guardian may not sell a minor’s interest in real property without court approval. The guardian must file a verified petition to sell real property. The petition must establish that the proposed sale either (i) is in the minor’s best interest, or (ii) is necessary to pay the minor’s financial obligations.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Petition to administer intestate estate
Petitions to administer intestate estates must identify all intestate heirs with names, addresses, ages, and relationships to the decedent.
A verified petition to administer an intestate estate must include all of the information required by statute and these Rules. The petition must contain a paragraph that identifies the names, addresses, ages, and relationships to the decedent of all the decedent's intestate heirs under Tenn. Code Ann. § 31-2-104.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Unlawful detainer filing
Pro se landlords filing unlawful detainer/eviction actions must attach proof of ownership or right to possess the property, or submit it to the court at the hearing.
Landlords/Owners who are Pro Se, meaning they are not represented by legal counsel, shall upon filing an unlawful detainer or eviction proceeding, attach proof of ownership or the right to possess the property in question. The right to possession and/or ownership may be proven through property deed, title, lease, or other verifiable source. If the proof of ownership or right to possession is not filed with the court clerk by the Pro Se plaintiff prior to the hearing, said proof must be submitted to the court at the hearing.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion to withdraw
An attorney may withdraw as counsel of record only by leave of court for good cause, upon motion after notice to all parties including the client, and entry of an order.
No attorney may withdraw as counsel of record except by leave of court for good cause upon motion after notice to all parties, including the withdrawing attorney's client, and order entered.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Subpoena to medical provider
Subpoenas to medical providers for medical records must comply with HIPAA and include the specified HIPAA notice.
All subpoenas to medical providers for medical records must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (H.I.P.A.A.), see 45 C.F.R. § 164.512(e), and include the following notice:
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Default judgment
Before moving for a default judgment, the plaintiff must file an SCRA affidavit regarding the defendant's military service, and moving for default judgment constitutes an affirmative representation that such affidavit was filed.
Before moving the court for a default judgment, it shall be the responsibility of the plaintiff to file with the court an affidavit as required by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), 50 U.S.C. App. 5 521(b)(1), stating whether or not the defendant is in military service and showing necessary facts to support the affidavit; or if the plaintiff is unable to determine whether or not the defendant is in military service, stating that the plaintiff is unable to determine whether or not the defendant is in military service. If the affidavit does not state that the defendant is not in military service, the plaintiff shall inform the court of this fact at the time the default judgment is moved for. The act of moving the court to enter a default judgment against a non-appearing defendant shall be deemed an affirmative representation to the court that the plaintiff has filed an affidavit indicating that the defendant is not in military service.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Scheduling order
A Scheduling Order is required in all cases and must establish discovery and ADR deadlines and set a trial date or trial-setting deadline in its first numbered paragraph.
In all cases, the court will require a Scheduling Order. The Scheduling Order must establish deadlines to complete discovery and ADR, and must either set a trial date or a date by which the trial must be set in the first numbered paragraph of the Order.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Order
- Must include
- case number
When a divorce is filed after an Order of Protection, an Order containing both the Order of Protection and Divorce case numbers must be submitted to extend the Order of Protection by operation of law until the divorce modifies or dissolves it.
1) An Order containing both the Order of Protection Case Number and the Divorce Case Number should be submitted which extends the Order of Protection by operation of law until the divorce action modifies or dissolves the Order of Protection.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Divorce decree
No final divorce decree or marital dissolution agreement may be approved unless it strictly complies with T.C.A. § 36-4-134.
Effective as of January 1, 2010, no final decree of divorce or marital dissolution agreement shall be approved by the Court that is not in strict compliance with the provisions of T.C.A. § 36-4-134 as follows
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Acknowledgment
Before any ex parte interview communication occurs, the petitioner must obtain a signed acknowledgment bearing the style of the case and containing specified language in bold font.
Petitioner shall prepare an acknowledgment, bearing the style of the case, which must be provided and signed before any communication takes place. The acknowledgment shall contain the following language, in bold face font:
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Petition to establish conservatorship
Petitions to establish a conservatorship or appoint an expedited limited healthcare fiduciary must be verified and contain all statutorily required information.
A petition to establish a conservatorship or for the appointment of an expedited limited healthcare fiduciary must be verified and contain the information required by statute and these Rules.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Contract for sale of real property
Sales contracts must list the fiduciary as seller, conspicuously state the sale is subject to court approval, and be signed by the fiduciary in a fiduciary capacity.
Any contract for sale of the real property must list the fiduciary as the seller (on behalf of the decedent’s estate, respondent under conservatorship, or minor under guardianship). Any contract for sale of the real property must expressly and conspicuously state that the sale of the real property is Subject to Court Approval. The fiduciary must sign the contract for sale in a fiduciary capacity and not in an individual capacity.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Petition to probate
Petitions to probate a will or codicil must identify all beneficiaries and intestate heirs with names, addresses, ages, and relationships to the decedent.
A verified petition to probate a testamentary instrument (will or codicil) must include all of the information required by statute and these Rules. The petition must contain a paragraph that identifies the names, addresses, ages, and relationships to the decedent of all beneficiaries under the testamentary instrument. In addition, the petition must contain a separate paragraph that identifies the names, addresses, ages, and relationships to the decedent of all the decedent's intestate heirs under Tenn. Code Ann. § 31-2-104.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion and response
- Must include
- proposed order
Motions and responses must be written; unopposed motions may be granted before hearings, and proposed orders should be filed in advance.
Written motions and responses required. Unopposed motions may be granted before hearings. Proposed orders should be filed in advance.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Petition to establish guardianship
Petitions to establish a guardianship for a minor must be verified and contain all statutorily required information.
A petition to establish a guardianship for a minor must be verified and contain the information required by statute and these Rules.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Certificate of service
The certificate of service must include each person's last known mailing address even when notice is given by a method other than mailing.
The certificate of service must include each person's last known mailing address, even if Notice if given by a method other than mailing.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Filing
- Must include
- certificate of service
Every filing except a fully agreed order must include a certificate of service stating the date, method, and persons served.
All filings except fully agreed orders must include a certificate of service showing date, method, and persons served.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Agreed order of dismissal
Agreed orders of dismissal must state whether the case is dismissed with or without prejudice and must assess court costs.
Any Agreed Orders of Dismissal presented to the Court for approval shall include language as to whether the case is being dismissed with or without prejudice and shall assess court costs.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Agreed parenting plan and child support worksheet
When minor children exist, a signed and notarized Agreed Parenting Plan and Child Support Worksheet must be filed before the final hearing can be set.
If there are minor children of the marriage, a signed and notarized Agreed Parenting Plan and Child Support Worksheet have been filed with the Circuit Court Clerk.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Order of continuance
- Must include
- certificate of service
Orders of Continuance must include a specific new hearing date and a certificate of service to all parties and attorneys.
All Orders of Continuance shall include the new hearing date. No Orders of Continuance will be approved or signed without a specific new hearing date included in the Order with a certificate of service to all parties and attorneys.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Order to set
An Order to Set an ID Divorce must state the docket, whether appearance is waived, and that the statutory period has elapsed.
The Order to Set Irreconcilable Differences Divorces shall state the following: a) That the matter is being set on the Court’s Irreconcilable Differences Divorce Docket. b) Whether the matter is being set with an appearance waiver. The Order to Set Irreconcilable Differences Divorce with Appearance Waiver may be found here: https://circuitclerk.nashville.gov/wp- content/uploads/THIRD-CIRCUIT-ID-WAIVER-ORDER-TO-SET.pdf c) The Complaint has been pending for the requisite statutory period.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Proof of parenting seminar attendance
When minor children exist, proof of both parents' parenting seminar attendance must be filed, unless an order waiving the seminar has been filed.
If there are minor children of the marriage, proof of parenting seminar attendance of both parties is filed with the Circuit Court Clerk, or an order to waive parenting seminar attendance has been filed with the Circuit Court Clerk.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Proposed parenting plan
- Must include
- certificate of service
Motions to Set and Motions for Default in divorce cases with children and in cases where a modification of parenting time is requested must have a Proposed Parenting Plan filed and served on the adverse party along with the motion, or 14 days before the motion hearing, before the motion will be granted.
Motions to Set and Motions for Default in divorce cases with children and in cases where a modification of parenting time is requested must have a Proposed Parenting Plan filed and served on the adverse party along with the motion, or 14 days before the motion hearing, before the motion will be granted.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Judicial settlement conference statement
Each party must deliver a confidential ex parte Judicial Settlement Conference Statement to the Special Master (not filed with the clerk) containing a settlement position summary, factors compelling or blocking settlement, and a candid assessment of case strengths and weaknesses.
At least 72 hours (three (3) business days) prior to the Judicial Settlement Conference, each party shall deliver a confidential ex parte Judicial Settlement Conference Statement directly to the Special Master. The statement shall be furnished only to the Special Master, not the other party, and shall NOT be filed with the Circuit Court Clerk. The Judicial Settlement Conference Statement shall include a summary of the party’s position for settlement, factors compelling or blocking settlement, and a candid assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the case.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Order to set
The Order to Set must include the Marital Dissolution Agreement date, parenting plan/child support date if applicable, the final hearing date/time, and a signature line for the Judge.
e) The date that a Marital Dissolution Agreement was signed by the parties and filed with the Circuit Court Clerk. f) If applicable, the date that the Agreed Parenting Plan and Child Support Worksheet were signed by both parties and filed with the Circuit Court Clerk. g) The date and time of the final hearing. h) A date and signature line for the Judge’s signature.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Interrogatory responses
Interrogatory responses must include a notarized signature; failure to do so results in sanctions.
Failure to provide a notarized signature on interrogatory responses shall be sanctioned.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Order to set
Every Irreconcilable Differences Divorce, including waivers, must be set for final hearing through an Order to Set.
All Irreconcilable Differences (ID) Divorces must be set for a final hearing date via an Order to Set. This is true even if appearance is being waived at the final hearing.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Discovery motion
Motions to compel discovery must detail good-faith written efforts to resolve disputes and identify the specific deficient responses.
All motions to compel discovery responses shall describe in detail the good-faith, written efforts made to resolve the matters alleged prior to filing the motion and must state with specificity the discovery responses that are alleged to be deficient
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Firearms declaration
The Firearms Declaration must be filed even if the respondent owns no firearms, and firearms owners must include the name, address, and phone number of the person holding the firearms.
Even if the Respondent does not own or possess firearms, they must file this form. If the Respondent is a firearms owner, they must include the name, address, and telephone contact information of the person to whom they have transported the firearms for safe keeping while the OP is in effect.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Proposed order
For motions on the Resolved Motions page, no appearance is required and the movant may submit an Order as if granted, but the Order must reference the hearing date and must not be submitted or mailed to opposing counsel or the self-represented litigant before that date.
If a case is reflected on this page, no appearance is necessary, and an Order on the motion may be submitted as if the motion was heard and granted. The Order may not be submitted or mailed to opposing counsel or self-represented litigant prior to the date of the scheduled motion hearing and must reference the date of the hearing
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Court proceedings
Photographing, recording, or broadcasting court proceedings in any manner is strictly prohibited unless approved in advance by the Court.
Unless approved in advance by the Court, photographing, recording, or broadcasting court proceedings in any manner is strictly prohibited.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Proof of mediation
Proof of mediation has been filed with the Circuit Court Clerk or an order to waive mediation has been filed with the Circuit Court Clerk.
Proof of mediation has been filed with the Circuit Court Clerk or an order to waive mediation has been filed with the Circuit Court Clerk.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Affidavit of appearance
To waive appearance at an ID Divorce final hearing, the petitioner must file an appearance-waiver affidavit using the required language set out in the linked form.
To waive appearance at the final hearing of an Irreconcilable Differences divorce, the party being granted the divorce must submit an affidavit that includes the language contained in the following form: https://circuitclerk.nashville.gov/wp-content/uploads/THIRD-CIRCUIT-ID-AFFIDAVIT.pdf
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Temporary restraining order request
TRO requests must be accompanied by an underlying petition or complaint; stand-alone TRO requests are not permitted.
All requests for Temporary Restraining Orders must be accompanied by an underlying petition or complaint (if one is not already pending). The Court does not adjudicate temporary restraining orders as a stand-alone action.
What must be included with proposed order filings in Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee?
Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee: The rule requires proposed order. Proposed orders prepared by counsel must be filed with the Clerk within 7 calendar days of the court's ruling.
Judge Stephanie Williams: Proposed TROs must include a line for date/time of entry and a judge signature line.
Judge Lynne Ingram: The rule requires proposed order. After the hearing date is confirmed, the requesting party must E-file a General (Proposed) Order setting the hearing.
4 more rules answer this question.
What must be included with trial brief filings in Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee?
Trial briefs are required in all non-jury civil cases.
1 more rule answers this question.
What must be included with filing filings in Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee?
The rule requires ai disclosure. Papers must be signed with full contact information, and generative-AI content must be verified; violations may result in sanctions.
1 more rule answers this question.
What must be included with facsimile filing cover sheet filings in Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee?
The rule requires caption and case number. Each fax-filed document must include a cover sheet with the listed case, document, sender, page-count, date, and filing-instruction information.
What must be included with disclosure filings in Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee?
If an interview discloses opinions on standard of care, compliance, or causation, the interviewing party must file a disclosure of the opinions' substance signed by the person expressing them.
What must be included with class action complaint filings in Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee?
A class-action complaint must place “Complaint – Class Action” next to the caption.
Related categories
Back to all rules for this courtPage & Word Limits
Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.