Not necessarily. However, Tennessee requires certain types of contracts to be in writing. These contracts are: marriage, contracts with a term that is longer than 1 year, sale of land or property, an executor/Administrator’s promise to pay debts of the estate, sale of goods or personal property that costs $500 or more, and suretyship agreements (a promise to guarantee payment of the debts of another person). Contracts that lend money or extend credit also have to be in writing. (TCA 47-2-201) (TCA 29-2-101)