Tennessee Code Title 30. Administration of Estates § 30-1-103

(1) Where the deceased had any goods, chattels, or assets, or any estate, real or personal, at the time of the person’s death, or where the goods, chattels, assets, or estate may be when the letters are applied for;

(2) Where any debtor of the deceased resides;

(3) Where any debtor of a debtor of the deceased resides, the debt being unpaid when the application is made; or

(4) Where any suit is to be brought, prosecuted, or defended, in which the estate is interested.

(1) If the suit is pending, or to be brought, in a chancery court composed of more than one county, the probate court of any one of the counties may grant the letters; and

(2) If the suit is pending in an appellate court, the letters shall be granted by the probate court of the county in which the suit originated.