What to Do When Someone Dies in Blount County, Tennessee
Probate in Blount County runs through the Chancery Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Blount County, settling their estate runs through the Chancery Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Paper filing availableWalk-ins acceptedSelf-filing allowed
Accepted paymentCash, Money order, Check. Cash, money orders, and bank-certified checks only - no personal/business checks, debit cards, or credit cards. Checks payable to "Blount County Clerk & Master." All fees due at time of filing.
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Blount County, probate runs through the Chancery Court at 930 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville. The court sits in the 5th Judicial District.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Tennessee intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Tennessee estates take 9 months to 15 months to move through this process. The 4 monthsT.C.A. § 30-2-306(b) cl. (1)(A) (4 months from the date of first publication or posting); § 30-2-306(b) cl. (1)(B) (60 days from receipt of actual notice, where actual notice arrives within 60 days of the 4-month date); § 30-2-306(b) cl. (2) and § 30-2-310(a) (12-month outer bar from the date of death); § 30-2-307(a)(1) (claims barred unless filed within the period prescribed in the § 30-2-306(b) notice); § 30-2-321 (that period is computed from the date of first publication). Verified 2026-09-08.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What Probate Costs in Blount County
What probate costs in Blount County, Tennessee comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Chancery Court at 930 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville. The court is part of the 5th Judicial District.
Local procedures at this court that affect cost: All fees due at filing; cash, money order, or bank-certified check only. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
The Chancery Court charges $275Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-401(c)(1) (as enacted by Pub. Ch. 486, HB 487, 114th Gen. Assemb., eff. 1/1/2026). Re-verified 2026-09-08 against the enrolled act at publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc0486.pdf, whose "FILING FEES IN COURTS ADMINISTERING ESTATES" table reads "Probate estates (including general administrations, small estates, insolvent estates, and muniment of title); conservatorships; or guardianships — $275 [as of January 1, 2026] / $300 [2027] / $325 [2028]", and whose SECTION 9 reads "This act takes effect January 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it." No later act amends the section: all 1,142 published public chapters of the 114th Gen. Assemb. were downloaded and scanned 2026-09-08 (positive control "Tennessee Code Annotated" matched 1,136 of 1,142; nonsense control 0) — the only chapters mentioning § 8-21-401 are Pub. Ch. 268 and Pub. Ch. 1115, both of which merely CROSS-REFERENCE it (expunction clerk fees; victims assistance assessment) rather than amend it. Corroborated by Davidson Co. (Nashville) Probate Court 2026 fee schedule ($334.50 total = $275 base + state litigation tax).Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Tennessee are negotiated, typically 1.7%T.C.A. § 30-2-317(a)(1) (attorney fees are a first-priority cost of administration — "reasonable compensation to the personal representative and the personal representative's counsel"); see also § 30-2-606. No statutory percentage or fee schedule.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.7%T.C.A. § 30-2-317(a)(1) (attorney fees are a first-priority cost of administration — "reasonable compensation to the personal representative and the personal representative's counsel"); see also § 30-2-606. No statutory percentage or fee schedule.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Tennessee requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%T.C.A. § 30-1-201(a) (bond required unless the will excuses it, the PR is the sole beneficiary, all adult beneficiaries consent, or the PR is a bank excused under § 45-2-1005); § 30-1-201(a)(2) sets the penal sum at not less than the value of the estate subject to administration and not more than double it. Verified 2026-09-08.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Tennessee typically runs 9 months to 15 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the Chancery Court
Probate cases in Blount County are filed at the Chancery Court. File in person during business hours or by mail. The court sits in the 5th Judicial District.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Chancery Court is realistic.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Small estate affidavit requires 45-day wait after death
Small estate procedure is available for estates consisting of personal property only (no real estate) valued at $50,000 or less. A small estate affidavit cannot be filed until at least 45 days after the date of death.
Source: Blount County Clerk & Master - Probate Court (https://blounttn.gov/2190/Probate)
Document Requirements
Original will and death certificate required at filing
The original Last Will and Testament must be filed and permanently remains with the court. An original death certificate and a completed Probate Information Sheet (with names and full mailing addresses of all beneficiaries) are also required.
Source: Blount County Clerk & Master - Probate Court (https://blounttn.gov/2190/Probate)
Court Appearances
Personal representatives must appear in person with photo ID
Named personal representatives must appear in person with a photo ID. Only walk-ins are accepted; appointments are not scheduled. Decedent must have been a Blount County resident at death.
Source: Blount County Clerk & Master - Probate Court (https://blounttn.gov/2190/Probate)
Other Requirements
Document preparation within seven business days of submission
After materials are submitted, the Clerk & Master office prepares documents within seven (7) business days.
Source: Blount County Clerk & Master - Probate Court (https://blounttn.gov/2190/Probate)
Before You Go
Walk-ins accepted
You can file in person without an appointment. The Clerk & Master no longer schedules in-person appointments; filers visit on a walk-in basis during business hours.
Accepted payment
Cash, Money order, Check. Cash, money orders, and bank-certified checks only - no personal/business checks, debit cards, or credit cards. Checks payable to "Blount County Clerk & Master." All fees due at time of filing.
What to Bring
To file at the Chancery Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Transferring Property in Blount County
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Register of Deeds.
Deeds and other real property documents for Blount County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Phyllis Lee Crisp, at 349 Court Street, Maryville, TN 37804. Phone: (865) 273-5880. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
The Register of Deeds charges $10 for the first 2 pages plus $5 for each page beyond 2.
Tennessee uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Blount County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in Tennessee are based on reasonable compensation — typically 1.7%T.C.A. § 30-2-317(a)(1) (attorney fees are a first-priority cost of administration — "reasonable compensation to the personal representative and the personal representative's counsel"); see also § 30-2-606. No statutory percentage or fee schedule.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.7%T.C.A. § 30-2-317(a)(1) (attorney fees are a first-priority cost of administration — "reasonable compensation to the personal representative and the personal representative's counsel"); see also § 30-2-606. No statutory percentage or fee schedule.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Blount County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Chancery Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Elder Care Law of Tennessee (formerly Elder Law of East Tennessee) is a Knoxville firm founded in 2010 by Certified Elder Law Attorney Amelia Crotwell, with a Tri-Cities office in Johnson City. It serves Knox, Anderson, Blount, and Loudon counties with Medicaid and VA Aid and Attendance planning, estate planning, asset protection, special needs planning, and Life Care Planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 2 more
Kizer & Black, Attorneys, PLLC has served Blount County and East Tennessee from Maryville since 1968. The firm handles estate planning, estate and trust administration, will contests, and other estate litigation, alongside business, real estate, and family law.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more
Adam J. Carr is a native of Sevier County with over ten years of practice specializing in estate planning, trusts, and probate law. Services include preparation of wills, durable power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, living wills, trusts, and long-range planning for the transfer of assets.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawHealthcare Directivesand 3 more
The Law Office of Robert W. Wilkinson has served Oak Ridge and East Tennessee for over 40 years, covering Anderson, Knox, Blount, Roane, and surrounding counties. The firm handles estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, conservatorships, guardianships, and probate.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 3 more
Baker Donelson is one of the largest law firms in the U.S., and its Nashville office serves Davidson County and clients statewide. The trusts and estates group handles probate estate administration, revocable and irrevocable trust administration, estate and trust litigation, and estate planning, with tax and fiduciary-litigation support.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more
Office
1600 West End Avenue, Suite 2000Nashville, TN 37203
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
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Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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Blount County Guides
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