OptionalHancock County Chancery Court takes e-filing through the Tybera TNCIS system, which the Clerk and Master's page links for registration and log-in, under local e-filing rules that encourage e-filing without requiring it. Tybera charges a convenience fee on each filing.
Self-represented filing
This court requires an attorneyUnder the 3rd Judicial District chancery rules, only an attorney licensed in Tennessee may represent an estate before the court unless the court orders otherwise. The Clerk and Master's page links a claim against estate form, a TennCare release form and the probate court cost schedule.
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 Hancock County, probate runs through the Chancery Court at 1237 Main Street, Suite 104, Sneedville. The court sits in the 3rd Judicial District. Hancock County is one of 21 Tennessee counties that accept probate e-filing; most probate courts in the state still take filings on paper.
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. 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 a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Hancock County
What probate costs in Hancock 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 1237 Main Street, Suite 104, Sneedville. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial District.
Procedures at this court that affect cost: Inventory within 60 days; settlement within 15 months.
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)Verified Oct 17, 2026 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%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 estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Tennessee allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payT.C.A. § 30-2-606 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Tennessee requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under T.C.A. § 30-1-201(a) (bond required unless the will excuses it, the PR is the sole beneficiary, the adult beneficiaries consent, or § 45-2-1005 excuses a bank); § 30-1-201(a)(2) (penal sum)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 documents in Hancock County can be filed in person at the Chancery Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available. The court sits in the 3rd Judicial District. Hancock County shares the 3rd Judicial District with Greene, Hamblen and Hawkins.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Tennessee has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Clerk and Master handles case files for both Chancery and Probate Courts
The Hancock County Clerk and Master's office manages case files for both the Chancery and Probate Courts, including estate distributions and other civil and domestic relations matters.
Source: Hancock County Clerk and Master (https://www.hancockcountytn.com/local_public_service_directory/clerk_and_master.php)
The Clerk and Master approves letters and hears routine probate matters
Under the 3rd Judicial District chancery rules, the Clerk and Master approves applications for letters testamentary and of administration, adjudicates claims and exceptions, takes accounts and settlements, and may shorten the 45-day small estate waiting period. Final orders closing an estate are lodged with the Clerk for review before the Chancellor signs them.
Long or jury matters scheduled through the Chancellor's office
Cases expected to take more than eight hours, multi-day cases, special settings and jury trials are scheduled through the Chancellor's office; other matters are set on the published Hancock County court docket dates.
Source: Hancock County Clerk and Master (https://www.hancockcountytn.com/local_public_service_directory/clerk_and_master.php)
What to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the Chancery Court: Verified petition for letters with the contents required by Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-1-117 (petitioner, decedent, heirs/devisees, value estimate unless bond waived); Original will and any codicils, attached to the petition as an exhibit and lodged for probate (if testate); Proof of will (self-proving affidavit, or affidavit/testimony of an attesting witness) where the will is not self-proving; Oath of the personal representative for faithful performance (before the judge, clerk, or notary) (Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-1-111); Order admitting the will to probate / granting lettersTenn. Code Ann. §§ 30-1-101 (letters required), 30-1-102 / 32-2-101 (venue), 30-1-106 (intestate priority), 30-1-111 (oath), 30-1-117 (verified petition contents)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Hancock County
In Tennessee a death is registered locally, and in Hancock County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Hancock County Health Department as well as by Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital Records.
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 Hancock County are recorded with the Register of Deeds at 1237 Main Street, Sneedville, TN 37869. Phone: 1-423-733-4545. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-4:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 347, Sneedville, TN 37869.
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 Hancock 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, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Hancock 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 law firm serving East Tennessee from Knoxville and Johnson City, founded in 2010 by Certified Elder Law Attorney Amelia Crotwell. It plans for long-term care through Medicaid, veterans benefits and Life Care Planning, and guides clients through probate and trust administration when an estate cannot avoid it. Its special needs work includes special needs trusts and conservatorships.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 5 more
Mason & Associates practices from Gallatin in Sumner County, serving clients throughout Tennessee and Kentucky in elder law and estate planning only. It handles probate and trust administration, with a free 30-minute probate consultation by phone, in person or by video, and conservatorship petitions. Jake Mason is board-certified in both elder law and estate planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 6 more
Mobley & Gontarek practices from Nashville and serves clients throughout Tennessee. It settles complex estates and trusts, prepares federal and state estate tax returns, handles estate tax audits, and litigates will contests, undue-influence and elective-share claims and trust disputes for fiduciaries and beneficiaries. Jeff Mobley is an ACTEC Fellow and co-author of the Pritchard wills treatise.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more
Music City Estate Law has offices in Franklin and Nashville and states that it serves all of Tennessee. It walks executors through Tennessee probate, from the petition and creditor notice to the inventory, the TennCare release and closing, and guides successor trustees through trust administration. The firm also drafts Tennessee dynasty trusts and domestic asset protection trusts.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateAsset Protectionand 3 more
Office
1650 Murfreesboro Road, Suite 130Franklin, TN 37067
Oakes Law Firm is a Knoxville solo practice on Kingston Pike that takes clients across Tennessee. R. Seth Oakes guides families through probate after a death, from validating a will to paying debts and taxes and distributing assets, and prepares wills, trusts and estate plans. As a solo practitioner he keeps direct contact with each client.
Parham Estate Law has offices in Memphis and Henderson, serving Shelby, Fayette, Madison and Chester counties and probate clients throughout Tennessee. It guides executors and administrators from appointment and bond through creditors, taxes, distribution and the final accounting, and represents them when beneficiaries dispute the administration.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTax Planningand 5 more
Office
1715 Aaron Brenner Drive, Suite 450Memphis, TN 38120
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.
Data sourced from Tennessee statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Tennessee
Free tools for settling an estate in Tennessee: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines 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.
See the Steps
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.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
Tennessee has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
Enter the estate value to see Tennessee attorney fees, executor fees, court costs and the timeline.
Examples:
General information about probate costs, not legal or financial advice. Fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value or net property after debts. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
$
See whether you can file probate yourself
Enter the estate value to see whether Tennessee lets a self-represented person open probate, what the court requires, and what each route costs.
General information about filing probate without a lawyer, not legal advice. Both routes are priced by the probate cost estimator on the same estate; the attorney fee is the one line that differs. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
