Terms Used In Tennessee Code 20-5-114

  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
  • Executor: includes an administrator, where the subject matter applies to an administrator. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.

When any sole executor or administrator is plaintiff or defendant and dies, the suit may be revived by or against the executor, administrator de bonis non or other successor in the interest of the decedent.