Tennessee · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Tennessee: get back what you're owed

Nine free guides for Tennessee, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Tennessee

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$25,000
Court
General Sessions Court
Filing fee
$146–$269
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Tennessee

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
No fixed deadline
Security deposit limit
No statewide limit
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
14 days
Notice before the landlord enters
No general notice rule

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Tennessee

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Minimum wage (2026)
$7.25
Final paycheck if fired
Payday or 21 days
Deadline to file a wage claim
See the guide

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Tennessee

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
See the guide
What makes it a lemon
3 repairs · 30 days
Covers used cars
No
Before you sue
Check your warranty

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Tennessee

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
June, varies by county (county BOE)
Where you appeal first
County Board of Equalization appeal
Median effective tax rate
0.50%
Median yearly tax on a home
$1,442

Closed for 2026As of October 21, 2026, county boards of equalization have finished their 2026 sessions; the only appeals still possible are State Board appeals filed within 45 days of a late county board decision; direct State Board appeals within 45 days after your tax bill if your value changed but no change notice was sent; or reasonable-cause appeals up to March 1, 2027. The next window opens when 2027 change notices go out (by about May 20, 2027) and county boards convene June 1, 2027 (May 1 in Shelby County). (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Tennessee

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
No general exemption
Homestead deadline
See the guide
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
See the rules

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Tennessee

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
ClaimItTN (Tennessee Unclaimed Property)
Held by the state
Over $990 million
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Tennessee

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Divorce Law Map doesn't have a checked guide for Tennessee yet. Its state tables link the court's own self-help page; check the rules with the court before you file.

Facts from Divorce Law Map. About this topic

Debt Collector Map

Debt collectors in Tennessee

A collector can sue you only for a limited time, and state law limits how much of your pay it can take after a judgment. You can dispute the debt in writing.

Debt Collector Map doesn't have a checked guide for Tennessee yet. Your federal rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act apply in every state; check the state's own rules with the CFPB or a legal aid office.

Facts from Debt Collector Map. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Tennessee

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Tennessee
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage3 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a depositNo fixed deadlineTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent14 daysTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claimSee the guideWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedPayday or 21 daysWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law periodSee the guideLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineAccording to the Attorney General, lawsuits must be brought within 6 months after one year from original delivery or the end of the express warranty, whichever is later (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 55-24-101 to -112; exact section not confirmed).Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appealJune, varies by county (county BOE)Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineSee the guideExemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map

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Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.

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