Estate Planning & Probate in Gibson County, Tennessee
Most Gibson County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the Chancery Court.
The Probate Process in Gibson County
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 Gibson County, probate runs through the Chancery Court at 204 North Court Square, Trenton. The court sits in the 28th Judicial District. Electronic probate filing sets Gibson County apart — only 21 Tennessee counties accept it, with the rest filing on paper.
Full Gibson County probate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Gibson County Chancery Court
Gibson County · 28th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Gibson County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Recording Office Record
Register of Deeds
Gibson County
Phone
Office
Website
Recording fee
E-recording
Verified October 17, 2026 · Source
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
Gibson County · Gibson County Community Health Center
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Certified copy fee
Full death certificate details →
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Medical Examiner
Gibson County · Gibson County Medical Examiner
Phone
Office
Website
Serves this county
Full coroner or medical examiner details →
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Chancery Court
Uncontested matters and motions are heard in Trenton on the first and third Fridays and in Humboldt on the second Friday of each month.
Under the 28th Judicial District chancery rules, an estate filed for probate is placed on the docket for a hearing to close the estate or for a status conference nine months after filing. A solvent estate may close on the personal representative's sworn petition in place of a final settlement once the claims period has run, known creditors have had written notice, claims are released and every residuary beneficiary has received a full share and signed a receipt waiving the settlement. The petition carries a certificate from the Commissioner of Revenue on estate tax, and no estate closes without a TennCare release.
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.
Last Will and Testament
In Tennessee, a will is signed before 2T.C.A. § 32-1-104Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyT.C.A. § 32-1-104Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Pour-Over Will
In Tennessee, a pour-over will is signed before 2T.C.A. § 32-1-104Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Tennessee happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeTenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysTenn. Code Ann. § 35-15-813(b); § 35-15-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
Do I Need Probate?
In Tennessee, estates with personal property of $50,000T.C.A. § 30-4-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less qualify for the Small Estate Probate Act PetitionT.C.A. § 30-4-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 45 daysT.C.A. § 30-4-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, a court procedure short of full probate.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Tennessee, descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representationTenn. Code §§ 31-2-104(b)(1), 31-2-106Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and an heir must survive the decedent by 120 hoursTenn. Code § 31-3-108Verified Oct 21, 2026View source to inherit.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Tennessee costs an estimated $24,527T.C.A. § 30-2-317(a)(1) (reasonable compensation to the personal representative's counsel, a first-priority cost of administration); § 30-2-606; no statutory percentageVerified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.7%Modeled estimate under T.C.A. § 30-2-317(a)(1) (reasonable compensation to the personal representative's counsel, a first-priority cost of administration); § 30-2-606; no statutory percentage: the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.7%Modeled estimate under T.C.A. § 30-2-317(a)(1) (reasonable compensation to the personal representative's counsel, a first-priority cost of administration); § 30-2-606; no statutory percentage: the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Tennessee Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Gibson County.
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