What to Do When Someone Dies in Lawrence County, Tennessee

How probate works in Lawrence County: the General Sessions Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

Probate Court Record

Lawrence County General Sessions Court

Lawrence County · 22nd Judicial District

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

NBU 12, Courthouse, 240 West Gaines Street, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Departments

  • Chancery Court (Clerk & Master)1-931-766-4182 · NBU 13, Courthouse, 240 West Gaines Street · Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PMThe Clerk and Master handles conservatorships, guardianships and trust accounts for minors for the Chancery Court.

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, probate runs through the General Sessions Court at NBU 12, Courthouse, 240 West Gaines Street, Lawrenceburg. The court sits in the 22nd Judicial District. Lawrence County shares the 22nd Judicial District with Giles, Maury and Wayne.

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 Lawrence County

What probate costs in Lawrence 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 General Sessions Court at NBU 12, Courthouse, 240 West Gaines Street, Lawrenceburg. The court is part of the 22nd 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 General Sessions Court

Probate cases in Lawrence County are filed at the General Sessions Court. File in person during business hours or by mail. The court sits in the 22nd Judicial District.

Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Chancery Court (Clerk & Master).

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 Lawrence County Self-Filing Assessment.

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the General Sessions 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 Lawrence County

In Tennessee a death is registered locally, and in Lawrence County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Lawrence County Health Department as well as by Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital Records.

Vital Records Office Record

Local Health Department

Lawrence County · Lawrence County Health Department

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

1601 Liberty Avenue, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464

Fax

1-931-766-1592

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

Medical Examiner

Lawrence County · Lawrence County Medical Examiner's Office

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

416 West Gaines Street, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464

Mail and offices

Fax

1-931-766-1582

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Lawrence 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 Lawrence County are recorded with the Register of Deeds at 200 West Gaines Street, Suite 102, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464. Phone: 1-931-766-4180. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.

The Register of Deeds charges $10 for the first 2 pages plus $5 for each page beyond 2.

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Lawrence County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

200 West Gaines Street, Suite 102, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464

Fees

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 October 17, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Lawrence County

Tennessee uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Lawrence 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 Lawrence County firm to quote a structure up front.

A probate attorney files the petition with the General Sessions 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.

Solo PracticeLawrenceburg, TN

Harwell & Plant Attorneys at Law

Since 1974 · Serves 1 county

Harwell & Plant has practiced from Lawrenceburg in Lawrence County since 1974, with Paul B. Plant focused on elder law and estate planning. In probate the firm opens the estate, gives notice to creditors and heirs, handles claims, any Medicaid lien and tax returns, and prepares the final accounting. It also handles will disputes and conservatorships.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawConservatorshipand 4 more

Office
200 Mahr Ave., Ste. 3Lawrenceburg, TN 38464

Solo PracticeColumbia, TN

Muletown Law, P.C.

Since 1987 · Serves 7 counties

Muletown Law practices from Columbia and handles probate in Maury, Marshall, Lewis, Lawrence, Hickman, Giles and Williamson counties. It prepares the petition, publishes the creditor notice, tracks deadlines and closes the estate, and handles small estates, muniments of title, trust administration and contested probate. Most probate matters are a flat fee quoted before work begins.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
1109 South Garden StreetColumbia, TN 38401

FirmSavannah, TN

Hagenbrok & Hagenbrok PLLC

Serves 17 counties

Hagenbrok & Hagenbrok PLLC is a two-attorney Savannah firm serving Hardin County and clients in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. Its estate work is planning: wills, trusts, living wills, powers of attorney, and advice on moving assets into a trust or to heirs, including with Medicaid eligibility in view. It also handles real estate, business and family law.

PracticesEstate PlanningMedicaid PlanningBusiness LawFamily Lawand 2 more

Office
60 Brazelton Street, Suite 8Savannah, TN 38372

Solo PracticeGallatin, TN

Mason & Associates Law Firm

Serves the whole state

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

Office
880 Greenlea Blvd, Suite BGallatin, TN 37066
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmNashville, TN

Mobley & Gontarek, PLLC

Serves the whole state

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

Office
2319 Crestmoor RoadNashville, TN 37215

FirmFranklin, TN

Music City Estate Law

Serves the whole state

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
Virtual consultations
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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.

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Legal Sources

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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.

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