Bass & Bass has practiced on Main Street in Carthage, the Smith County seat, since 1949. For survivors the firm administers estate assets, notifies creditors, taxing authorities and beneficiaries, and handles estate settlements and tax filings. David Bass, a former Smith County General Sessions judge, also prepares wills and powers of attorney and handles conservatorships.
Carthage is in Smith County.
Probate in Smith County
Probate Court Record
Smith County Chancery Court
Smith County · 15th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
322 Justice Drive, Suite 105, Carthage, TN 37030
Website
Self-represented filing
Allowed
How to file probate in Smith County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Smith County? →Settling an estate in Smith County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Tennessee
Free Tennessee forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Tennessee.
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Healthcare Power of Attorney
Tennessee allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-11-1805; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0720-36-.13Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
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Free
Financial Power of Attorney
Tennessee requires explicit durability language for a power of attorney to survive incapacityT.C.A. §§ 34-6-101 to 34-6-112; §§ 66-22-101, 66-24-101, 66-26-101, 66-26-103Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and it is signed with no witness or notary requirementT.C.A. §§ 34-6-101 to 34-6-112; §§ 66-22-101, 66-24-101, 66-26-101, 66-26-103Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Tennessee
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Tennessee: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Tennessee.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Tennessee runs $3,150Estimate: 10 hours at $315, Clio's Tennessee Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $4,725Estimate: 15 hours at $315, Clio's Tennessee Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $903Estimate: 3 hours at $301, Clio's Tennessee Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,806Estimate: 6 hours at $301, Clio's Tennessee Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Tennessee: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysTenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-301Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsT.C.A. §§ 30-2-306, 30-2-307, 30-2-310, 30-2-314, 30-2-317Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
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