Janice A. Russell practices on West Main Street in Mountain City and handles the administration of estates in Johnson County. Her office walks families through the Tennessee probate process after a death, alongside wills, family law and Social Security disability work. Consultations are free.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Johnson County, Tennessee
How probate works in Johnson County: the Chancery Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Johnson County Chancery Court
Johnson County · 1st Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Office
222 West Main Street, Mountain City, TN 37683
Website
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe Clerk and Master accepts documents a self-represented filer prepares, with any filing fee, and the same court rules apply as to an attorney's filing. The Chancery Court's forms page carries small estate petitions with and without a will and an estate claim form; clerks do not give legal advice, including which forms to file.
Hearing schedule
- Chancery Court meets at the times the Chancellor sets on a four-month docket schedule kept at the Clerk and Master's office.
County forms
- Small Estate Petition With WillOpening a small estate where the decedent left a will
- Small Estate Petition Without WillOpening a small estate where the decedent left no will
P.O. Box 196
Mountain City, TN 37683
Fax
1-423-727-7012
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Johnson 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 Johnson County, probate runs through the Chancery Court at 222 West Main Street, Mountain City. The court sits in the 1st Judicial District. Johnson County shares the 1st Judicial District with Carter, Unicoi and Washington.
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 Johnson County
What probate costs in Johnson 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 222 West Main Street, Mountain City. The court is part of the 1st Judicial District.
Tennessee 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 probate, the same in every county. 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 cases in Johnson County are filed at the Chancery Court. File in person during business hours or by mail. The court sits in the 1st Judicial District.
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.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Johnson County Self-Filing Assessment.
Johnson County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
The Clerk and Master files wills, intestate estates and small estates
The Clerk and Master is custodian of the records of the Chancery, Probate and Child Support Courts and files wills, intestate estates and small estates.
SourceCourt Appearances
Miscellaneous-day calendar deadline under 1st Judicial District Local Rules
Cases are placed on the miscellaneous-day calendar by noon of the working day before the miscellaneous day. Morning sessions are limited to uncontested matters and miscellaneous non-domestic motions of fifteen minutes per party (thirty minutes total) unless the sitting judge approves otherwise, and the Clerk and Master prepares the chancery calendar.
SourceWhat 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 Johnson County
In Tennessee a death is registered locally, and in Johnson County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Johnson County Health Department as well as by Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital Records.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
Johnson County · Johnson County Health Department
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
715 West Main Street, Mountain City, TN 37683
Website
Fax
1-423-727-4153
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $15 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Medical Examiner
Johnson County · Johnson County Medical Examiner
Mail and offices
William L. Jenkins Forensic Center
P.O. Box 70425
Johnson City, TN 37614
Fax
1-423-439-8070
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Johnson 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 Johnson County are recorded with the Register of Deeds at 222 West Main Street, Mountain City, TN 37683. Phone: 1-423-727-7841.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 218.
The Register of Deeds charges $10 for the first 2 pages plus $5 for each page beyond 2.
Recording Office Record
Register of Deeds
Johnson County
P.O. Box 218
Recording fees
| Base fee (first 2 pages) | $10 |
| Each page beyond 2 | $5 |
| Register's Data Processing FeeRequired with most deeds | $2 |
| Additional Instrument Fee | $5 |
| Electronic Filing (eFile) Submission Fee | $2 |
| Transfer Tax Receipt FeeRequired with most deeds | $1 |
Tenn. Code Ann. 8-21-1001(b)(3)-(5), (c), (j); 67-4-409(a), (d)(3)
Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
Forms that put a death on the title
- Free forms: Affidavit of Heirship Form
Probate Attorneys Serving Johnson County
Tennessee uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Johnson 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 Johnson 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.
Shults Law Offices is a family-run firm in downtown Erwin serving Unicoi, Washington, Carter, Greene, Sullivan and Johnson counties. Its attorneys handle estate probate and estate claims, wills and conservatorships, and Douglas K. Shults, the Unicoi County Attorney, is also a licensed title insurance agent who handles deeds and real estate closings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Legal Sources
(8)·
- T.C.A. § 30-2-606 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- T.C.A. §§ 30-2-306, 30-2-307, 30-2-310, 30-2-314, 30-2-317
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-401(c)(1) (as enacted by Pub. Ch. 486, HB 487, 114th Gen. Assemb., eff. 1/1/2026)
- Tenn. 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)
- Tenn. Code Ann. 8-21-1001(b)(3)-(5), (c), (j); 67-4-409(a), (d)(3)
- Johnson County Chancery Court, official page
- Johnson County Register of Deeds, official page
- Johnson County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
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.
Get the Answer
Hire a Tennessee Probate Attorney
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