Section 35-5-114 - Trustee's attendance at foreclosure - Successor trustee(a) In any sale of land to foreclose a deed of trust, mortgage, or other lien securing the payment of money or other thing of value, the trustee or person or entity holding a similar position may attend the foreclosure either in person or by an agent. If the trustee attends by an agent, the agent may receive bids and conduct the sale on behalf of the trustee. The trustee shall execute any applicable trustee's deed or similar conveyance instrument. The appointment of an agent by a trustee need not be by written instrument, nor is there any recording required relative to the appointment.(b)(1) The beneficiary may, unless the deed of trust contains specific language to the contrary, appoint a successor trustee at any time by filing a substitution of trustee for record with the register of deeds of the county in which the property is situated.(2) The substitute trustee or its delegate shall succeed to all the power, duties, authority and title of the original trustee and any previous successor trustee or delegatee.(3)(A) In the event the substitution of trustee is not recorded prior to the first date of publication by the substitute trustee, the beneficiary shall include in the substitution of trustee instrument, which shall be recorded prior to the deed evidencing sale, the following statement: Beneficiary has appointed the substitute trustee prior to the first notice of publication as required by T.C.A. § 35-5-101 and ratifies and confirms all actions taken by the substitute trustee subsequent to the date of substitution and prior to the recording of this substitution.
(B) Once a substitution of trustee instrument containing the statement set forth in subdivision (b)(3)(A) is timely recorded, it shall act as conclusive proof as a matter of law that the substitute trustee has been timely appointed and has acted with authority of the beneficiary.(c) A substitution of trustee shall be recorded prior to any sale, and no action may be instituted against any person who, acting in good faith without knowledge to the contrary, relies upon the validity of the substitution of trustee or written statements by the beneficiary or substitute trustee as to the authority of the substitute trustee.(d) If the name of the substitute trustee is not included in the first publication, then, not less than ten (10) business days prior to the sale date, the substitute trustee shall send notice by registered or certified mail to the debtor or any co-debtor, as provided in § 35-5-101, and to any interested parties, giving the name and address of the substitute trustee. If the trustee is not a resident of this state, the notice shall include the name and address of a registered agent of the substitute trustee who is located in the state. Record notice of the mailing provided in this subsection (d) shall be evidenced by the substitute trustee's recordation of an affidavit recorded prior to the deed evidencing the sale or by recitation on the substitute trustee's deed.Acts 1993, ch. 415, § 1; 2006, ch. 951, § 1.