How Much Does Probate Cost in Williamson County, Tennessee?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Williamson County can expect.
What probate costs in Williamson 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 135 Fourth Avenue South, Room 236, Franklin. The court is part of the 21st Judicial District.
Local procedures at this court: 21st Judicial District requires proposed orders submitted with petitions; Inventory must be filed within 60 days of appointment. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
Tennessee charges $275TCA § 8-21-401(c)(1) (PC 486 / HB487, 114th GA)Verified May 27, 2026 to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The Chancery Court accepts e-filing (https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/electronic-filing). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Tennessee are negotiated, typically 2%T.C.A. §§ 30-2-606, 30-1-407 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 27, 2026 to 4%T.C.A. §§ 30-2-606, 30-1-407 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 27, 2026 of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation runs 2%T.C.A. §§ 30-2-606, 30-1-407 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 27, 2026 to 4%T.C.A. §§ 30-2-606, 30-1-407 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 27, 2026 of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Tennessee requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%T.C.A. § 30-1-201Verified May 27, 2026 of estate value annually.
Probate in Tennessee typically runs 9 monthsT.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 (act name), 30-4-102 (definitions: $50K threshold in subsec (9)Verified May 27, 2026 to 15 monthsT.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 (act name), 30-4-102 (definitions: $50K threshold in subsec (9)Verified May 27, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 4 monthsT.C.A. § 30-2-306(b) (4 months from publication); § 30-2-307(a)(1) (60 days from actual notice); § 30-2-310 (12-month outer limit)Verified May 27, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- T.C.A. § 30-1-201
- T.C.A. § 30-2-306(b) (4 months from publication); § 30-2-307(a)(1) (60 days from actual notice); § 30-2-310 (12-month outer limit)
- T.C.A. §§ 30-2-606, 30-1-407 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 (act name), 30-4-102 (definitions: $50K threshold in subsec (9)
- TCA § 8-21-401(c)(1) (PC 486 / HB487, 114th GA)
Data sourced from Tennessee statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Williamson County, that means filing fees ($275 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs $275 in Williamson County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Tennessee uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.
Tennessee allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
Yes. Tennessee estates under $50,000 can use a Small Estate Probate Act Petition and avoid most probate costs. Check the Tennessee self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Williamson County probate.
Chancery Court
Williamson County
135 Fourth Avenue South, Room 236
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone:
(615) 790-5428Fax:
(615) 790-5432
Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
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