In Tennessee is a surviving spouse responsible for the deceased spouse's debts if there is no estate?

Tennessee is not a community property state, if the surviving spouse was not a joint debtor he or she is not responsible for debt incurred by the decedent. The exeption would be, if there is a home that is encumbered by a mortgage and/or loan the surviving spouse will have to continue the agreement whether he or she was named on the lending contract in order to retain possession of the property.