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Home→Tools→Executor Duties Checklist→Tennessee

What Are My Duties as Executor in Tennessee?

Step-by-step guide for executors navigating probate, from filing the will to closing the estate.

Frequently Asked Questions

An executor (or personal representative) in Tennessee is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying and appraising assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property to beneficiaries. The executor has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the estate and its beneficiaries.

The probate petition filing fee in Tennessee starts at approximately $275.T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 (act name), 30-4-102 (definitions: $50K threshold in subsec (9); personal-property-only restriction in subsec (8); amended by HB0337/Public Ch. 297, eff. 4/28/2023), 30-4-103 (45-day waiting period, bond rules, no creditor notice), 30-2-306 (publication; 4-month bar from first publication), 30-2-307 (60-day actual-notice rule), 30-2-310 (12-month outer bar from death), 30-1-201 (bond), 30-2-301 (inventory), 30-2-601 (accounting waiver), 30-2-606/30-1-407 (compensation). Cross-verified against 2023 Public Chapter 297 (publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0297.pdf) and Tennessee General Assembly HB0337 record.Verified May 27, 2026 Additional fees may apply for certified copies, recording fees, and publication of notice to creditors.

Tennessee requires the executor to publish notice to creditors in a local newspaper. Known creditors should also receive direct written notice. Creditors have 4 months to file claims.T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 (act name), 30-4-102 (definitions: $50K threshold in subsec (9); personal-property-only restriction in subsec (8); amended by HB0337/Public Ch. 297, eff. 4/28/2023), 30-4-103 (45-day waiting period, bond rules, no creditor notice), 30-2-306 (publication; 4-month bar from first publication), 30-2-307 (60-day actual-notice rule), 30-2-310 (12-month outer bar from death), 30-1-201 (bond), 30-2-301 (inventory), 30-2-601 (accounting waiver), 30-2-606/30-1-407 (compensation). Cross-verified against 2023 Public Chapter 297 (publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0297.pdf) and Tennessee General Assembly HB0337 record.Verified May 27, 2026 The executor is personally liable for distributions made before the claim period expires if valid claims go unpaid.

Tennessee allows estates valued at $50,000 or less to use a Small Estate Probate Act Petition.T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 (act name), 30-4-102 (definitions: $50K threshold in subsec (9); personal-property-only restriction in subsec (8); amended by HB0337/Public Ch. 297, eff. 4/28/2023), 30-4-103 (45-day waiting period, bond rules, no creditor notice), 30-2-306 (publication; 4-month bar from first publication), 30-2-307 (60-day actual-notice rule), 30-2-310 (12-month outer bar from death), 30-1-201 (bond), 30-2-301 (inventory), 30-2-601 (accounting waiver), 30-2-606/30-1-407 (compensation). Cross-verified against 2023 Public Chapter 297 (publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/113/pub/pc0297.pdf) and Tennessee General Assembly HB0337 record.Verified May 27, 2026 The waiting period is 45 days after death. This avoids the need for formal probate and significantly reduces time and cost.

Tennessee allows executors to receive reasonable compensation.T.C.A. §§ 30-2-606, 30-1-407 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 27, 2026 Typical executor fees range from 2% to 4% of estate value. Executors can waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. See a detailed breakdown with the Tennessee executor fee calculator.

Probate costs in Tennessee include court filing fees, attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and potentially a surety bond. Total costs generally range from 3-8% of the estate value depending on complexity. The Tennessee probate calculator provides a detailed cost estimate based on estate value.

Executor Duties in Tennessee

Probate in Tennessee begins with filing the will and a petition with the court. The initial filing fee is $275TCA § 8-21-401(c)(1) (PC 486 / HB487, 114th GA)Verified May 27, 2026. After appointment, the executor receives letters testamentary granting legal authority to manage estate affairs.

Creditors in Tennessee have 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 to file claims after notice is published. The executor must publish notice in a local newspaper and send direct notice to known creditors. For smaller estates under $50,000T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 (act name), 30-4-102 (definitions: $50K threshold in subsec (9)Verified May 27, 2026, simplified procedures may be available that bypass formal probate.

Tennessee allows reasonable compensation for executors, 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. Executors can waive their fee or negotiate a different amount. See the executor fee calculator for a breakdown.

Simple estates in Tennessee typically close in 6 monthsT.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 (act name), 30-4-102 (definitions: $50K threshold in subsec (9)Verified May 27, 2026 from the date of filing. Estates held in a revocable living trust skip probate entirely — the successor trustee handles distribution privately in weeks. The creditor claims guide covers notification deadlines for estates that do go through probate.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 27, 2026

Legal Sources

  • 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.

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Tennessee Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Tennessee probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

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