--- name: tn-file-packet description: > This skill should be used when assembling and filing a complete Tennessee court motion or pleading packet. Triggers include "file a Tennessee packet", "assemble my filing for a Tennessee court", "how do I e-file in Tennessee", "eFileTN filing", "Davidson Chancery e-filing", "Shelby eFlex filing", "TnCIS / Tybera e-filing", "what documents do I file with my Tennessee motion", "Tennessee filing checklist", "filing fee Tennessee", "do I file on paper or electronically in my county". Walks through assembly of the multi- document packet (motion + affidavit + proposed order + certificate of service + Notice of Hearing), determining the venue's e-filing platform (county-by-county: eFileTN / Odyssey, eFlex, Tybera / TnCIS, or paper), the filing-fee question, the indigency / pauper's oath alternative, and the difference between filing and service of process under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4 and 5. version: 0.1.0 --- # Assemble a Tennessee Court Filing Packet > **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** This skill walks through filing mechanics. > Verify the e-filing platform, document types, fees, and pro-se > acceptance with the filing court's clerk before submitting. Use this skill when ready to **submit** a Tennessee trial-court filing. The first thing to determine is **which filing channel the venue uses** — there is no single statewide mandate. ## Tennessee e-filing is county-by-county — not a single statewide system Tennessee trial-court e-filing is adopted **county by county**, on different platforms, and is **not** universally mandatory. Confirm, for the specific court: 1. **Which platform** the court uses; and 2. **Whether e-filing is mandatory** or paper is still accepted. | Venue | Platform (verify currency) | |---|---| | **Davidson Chancery (Nashville)** | eFileTN / Odyssey (Tyler Technologies) | | **Shelby (Memphis)** | eFlex | | **Some other counties** | Tybera (often paired with the TnCIS case-management system) | | **Many smaller counties** | Paper filing at the clerk's window | | **All appellate courts (statewide)** | The **AOC e-filing portal** — statewide for the Tennessee appellate courts | So: **trial-court e-filing is fragmented by county**, while **appellate e-filing is statewide through the AOC portal.** Do not assume a trial court accepts e-filing — check first. ## E-filing workflow (generic) The platforms differ, but the shape is consistent: 1. Log in / register an account on the venue's platform 2. Search for the case by docket number or party name (or start a new case for an initial filing) 3. Select the **filing / document type** for each component 4. Upload each component as a **separate PDF** (the platform may require text-searchable PDFs and bookmarks for long filings — verify) 5. Pay any filing fee, or attach the indigency / pauper's-oath paperwork 6. Submit; the platform returns a stamped acceptance / file-stamp confirmation For paper filing, bring clean copies to the clerk's window during business hours; the clerk file-stamps the original and returns a stamped copy. Confirm whether the court accepts drop-box filings. ## Multi-document packet — typical components A standard Tennessee motion packet consists of these documents: | # | Document | Authority / note | |---|----------|------| | 1 | Motion | Tenn. R. Civ. P. 7.02 | | 2 | Memorandum of law (if used) | Local rules may require / limit | | 3 | Supporting affidavit (sworn) | Tenn. R. Evid. 803(6) foundation for business records | | 4 | Exhibits | Tenn. R. Civ. P. 10.03 — attach written instruments | | 5 | Proposed Order | Submitted with the motion; see `tn-submit-order` | | 6 | Certificate of Service | Tenn. R. Civ. P. 5 — date, method, recipients | | 7 | Notice of Hearing | After the date is cleared; see `tn-schedule-hearing` | Choose the closest matching document-type label in the platform's menu; the menus vary by court. ## Preflight — run the helper scripts Before assembling the packet: ``` # Format / Rule 10.01 caption check (typography items report as WARN — # Tennessee has no statewide page/margin rule; those are local) python3 plugins/tn-court-docs/scripts/format-check.py path/to/filing.docx # Deadline arithmetic — Rule 6.01 computation, Rule 6.05 3-day mail # add-on, Tenn. Code Ann. § 15-1-101 holidays python3 plugins/tn-court-docs/scripts/case-calendar.py ... ``` Use `case-calendar.py` to confirm a Rule 56 motion's hearing is set **at least 30 days** after service (Tenn. R. Civ. P. 56.04), and to compute any response deadline with the 3-day mail add-on. ## Filing fees Filing fees are set by statute and by the clerk's fee schedule and vary by court and case type. **Confirm the current amount with the filing court's clerk** before submitting; do not hard-code a figure. Pay by the platform's accepted method (card / e-check) or at the clerk's cashier window for paper filings. ### Indigency — pauper's oath A filer who cannot afford the fees may file an **affidavit of indigency** (pauper's oath) to proceed without prepaying court costs. Submit the indigency affidavit **with** the first filing — do not pay and seek a refund later. Verify the current form and the statutory basis with the clerk; the court reviews and may require additional information. ## Filing vs. service — two distinct steps Filing with the court is **not** the same as serving the opposing party: 1. **Filing** — through the venue's e-filing platform or at the clerk's window. 2. **Service of process** (initial summons + complaint) — under **Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4**: summons issued by the clerk; process is served and the return made; the summons must be issued / served and returned within the time the rule allows (Rule 4 carries a 90-day issuance / return framework — verify the current text). 3. **Service of subsequent papers** (motions, notices, orders) — under **Tenn. R. Civ. P. 5**: on every party, by the methods the rule allows; document it in the Certificate of Service. When service is by mail, add **3 days** to any responsive deadline under **Tenn. R. Civ. P. 6.05**. If the e-filing platform performs electronic service on registered parties, a pro-se opposing party without an account must still be served by an approved Rule 5 method (mail or hand delivery) — confirm the platform's e-service coverage. ## General Sessions note General Sessions practice is **informal** and the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure do not apply there except as specifically made applicable. A General Sessions civil matter is commenced by a **civil warrant** with a **return date**, filed at the General Sessions clerk's office. The packet-assembly model in this skill is geared to Circuit / Chancery motion practice; for General Sessions, see `tn-general-sessions`. ## Pre-filing checklist | Check | Done | |-------|------| | Venue's e-filing platform identified (eFileTN / eFlex / Tybera / paper) and mandatory-vs-optional confirmed | ☐ | | `scripts/format-check.py` run; no FAIL (WARN items confirmed against local rules) | ☐ | | `scripts/case-calendar.py` confirms timing (Rule 56.04 30-day, Rule 6.05 mail add-on) | ☐ | | `tn-quality-check` pre-filing review complete | ☐ | | `tn-fact-check` deep audit complete (high-stakes filing) | ☐ | | Caption (court / county / docket number) matches across all documents (Rule 10.01) | ☐ | | Exhibits attached (Rule 10.03) | ☐ | | Proposed Order drafted as a separate document | ☐ | | Each component saved as a separate PDF | ☐ | | Signature block has BPR # (attorney) or "Pro Se" (Rule 11) | ☐ | | Certificate of Service shows method, date, recipients (Rule 5) | ☐ | | Personal identifiers redacted per the venue's redaction rule | ☐ | | Filing fee available, or indigency affidavit ready | ☐ | | Service-of-process plan (Rule 4) / service-of-papers plan (Rule 5) ready | ☐ | ## Composition - For statewide format baseline: `tn-statewide-format` - For drafting each component: `tn-draft-motion`, `tn-draft-declaration`, `tn-draft-order`, `tn-draft-note` - For pre-filing review: `tn-quality-check` (lighter) and `tn-fact-check` (deep evidentiary) - For clearing the hearing date and the Notice of Hearing: `tn-schedule-hearing` - For court-specific filing channels and local rules: `tn-davidson`, `tn-shelby`, `tn-knox`, `tn-hamilton`, `tn-county-courts` - For General Sessions civil-warrant practice: `tn-general-sessions` - For pro-se filers (indigency affidavit, self-represented conventions): `tn-pro-se` - For deadline arithmetic: `tn-deadlines` - For post-hearing order submission: `tn-submit-order` ## References - `tn-law-references` for Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4, 5, 6, 10, and 56.04 text - The AOC website (tncourts.gov) and the filing court's clerk for the current e-filing platform, document types, and fee schedule - Confirm whether e-filing is mandatory in the venue before assuming a channel — Tennessee trial-court e-filing is county-by-county.