Higgins Estate Group works from Hart Street in Nashville and appears regularly in the Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson and Sumner probate courts. It handles full and small estate administration, muniment of title and creditor claims, with no upfront probate costs for qualified estates, and litigates will contests, executor misconduct and partition actions.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Sumner County, Tennessee
How probate works in Sumner County: the Chancery Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Sumner County Chancery Court
Sumner County · 18th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
155 East Main Street, Room 3600, Gallatin, TN 37066
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
OptionalThe Clerk and Master accepts filings by mail, in person, by fax (fees apply) or by e-filing through the statewide TNCIS portal. A per-page fee is collected on e-filed documents over 40 pages, under a court order effective May 5, 2025. Tybera charges a convenience fee on each filing.
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe Clerk and Master publishes the estate forms: the checklist of forms to file an estate, the list of documents to close one, the small estate petition and its consent to serve without bond, the inventory, the accounting, the personal representative oath and the TennCare release request. Clerks do not give legal advice, including which forms to file or how to proceed.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card.The office accepts cash, attorney's checks, business checks, cashier's checks, money orders and credit or debit cards; a fee of $3.00 or 3%, whichever is greater, is added to each card transaction. Personal checks are not accepted, and court costs can also be paid online.
Fax
1-615-451-6031
About the court
- Probate and delinquent-tax questions go to (615) 451-6036.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Sumner 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 Sumner County, probate runs through the Chancery Court at 155 East Main Street, Room 3600, Gallatin. The court sits in the 18th Judicial District. Electronic probate filing sets Sumner County apart — only 21 Tennessee counties accept it, with the rest filing 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 Sumner County
What probate costs in Sumner 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 155 East Main Street, Room 3600, Gallatin. The court is part of the 18th Judicial District.
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 Sumner 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 18th 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 Sumner County Self-Filing Assessment.
Sumner 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
Estate checklist items are filed before the Chancellor signs the order or sets a hearing
Every item on the court's estate checklist is filed before the Chancellor reviews the case to sign the order or set a hearing. The list includes the sworn petition with full addresses, the personal representative oath, the original will or consents to serve in an intestate estate, any waivers signed by all heirs or beneficiaries, and the order of probate and letters.
SourceDocument Requirements
Small estate petition for limited letters, with consent to serve without bond
The court publishes a petition for small estate limited letters of authority, with instructions, and a consent to serve without bond for a small estate.
SourceCourt Appearances
Probate hearings are held in person only with the Chancellor's permission
Since February 1, 2023, a probate hearing is held in person only with the Chancellor's prior permission. Filings state whether the hearing will be in person or by Zoom, with an email address for a Zoom hearing.
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 Sumner County
In Tennessee a death is registered locally, and in Sumner County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Sumner County Health Department as well as by Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital Records.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
Sumner County · Sumner County Health Department
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
1005 Union School Road, Gallatin, TN 37066
Website
Fax
1-615-675-4063
Local rule
- Death certificates are issued at the Gallatin clinic and at the Portland clinic, 214 West Longview, with an application and a photo ID. The Hendersonville clinic is temporarily closed.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $15 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Medical Examiner
Sumner County · Sumner County Medical Examiner
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
850 R.S. Gass Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37216
Website
Serves this county
Middle Tennessee Regional Forensic Center
Mail and offices
Fax
1-615-743-1890
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Sumner 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 Sumner County are recorded with the Register of Deeds at 355 North Belvedere Drive, Suite 201, Gallatin, TN 37066. Phone: 1-615-452-3892. 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.
Sumner County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile and CSC.
Recording Office Record
Register of Deeds
Sumner County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
355 North Belvedere Drive, Suite 201, Gallatin, TN 37066
Website
E-recording
Fax
1-615-442-1105
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
- Free forms: Affidavit of Heirship Form
Probate Attorneys Serving Sumner County
Tennessee uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Sumner 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 Sumner 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.
Hartsville firm, in practice since 1937, serving Trousdale, Macon, Sumner, Wilson, Smith, Jackson and Clay counties. It guides executors through settling an estate, including notice to creditors, distribution of assets and TennCare recovery claims, and handles conservatorships, guardianships and probate litigation. Partner Betty Lou Taylor built its estate and probate practice.
Harris Shelton keeps a Covington office in Tipton County beside its Memphis, Brentwood and Oxford, Mississippi offices. Its trusts and estates group represents fiduciaries and families after a death in probate administration, fiduciary and estate tax compliance, will contests, estate and trust litigation, 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)
- Sumner County Chancery Court, official page
- Sumner County Register of Deeds, official page
- Sumner 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
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