How Much Does Probate Cost in Tennessee?
Use our free calculator to estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Probate costs in Tennessee typically include attorney fees (based on reasonable compensation under state law), executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs.T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-103 (The Small Estate Probate Act: $50,000 limit in § 30-4-102(9); personal-property-only definition in § 30-4-102(8); 45-day wait and bond rules in § 30-4-103(1), (3); no creditor notice or claims in § 30-4-103(6); all as enacted by 2023 Pub. Ch. 297), 30-1-201(a) (bond required unless the will excuses it, the PR is sole beneficiary, all adult beneficiaries consent, or the PR is a bank excused under § 45-2-1005), 30-2-301 (PR-filed inventory), 30-2-306(a) (two consecutive weekly published notices, or posting) and § 30-2-306(b) (the prescribed notice form, whose clauses (1)(A), (1)(B) and (2) carry the 4-month, 60-day and 12-month claim limbs), 30-2-307(a)(1) (claims barred unless filed within the period prescribed in that notice), 30-2-310(a) (12-month outer bar from death), 30-2-321 (that period runs from the date of first publication or posting), 30-2-317(a)(1) (attorney and PR compensation as a first-priority cost of administration), 30-2-601(a)(1) (accounting waivable by will), 30-2-606 ("a reasonable compensation for services"), 8-21-401(c)(1) ($275 clerk filing fee for probate estates, eff. 1/1/2026 per 2025 Pub. Ch. 486). Read verbatim 2026-09-08 from the official T.C.A. (lexisnexis.com/hottopics/tncode/) and the enacting acts at publications.tnsosfiles.com; see the verification-record comment above this field for controls, the corpus-complete 114th Gen. Assemb. currency sweep, and the correction to the prior § 30-2-307 reading.Verified Sep 8, 2026 On a $500,000 estate, total costs run about $24,527 — roughly 5% of estate value — varying with complexity. Use the executor fee calculator to estimate executor compensation separately.
Tennessee allows estates valued at $50,000 or less to use the Small Estate Probate Act Petition, which avoids full probate administration.T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-103 (The Small Estate Probate Act: $50,000 limit in § 30-4-102(9); personal-property-only definition in § 30-4-102(8); 45-day wait and bond rules in § 30-4-103(1), (3); no creditor notice or claims in § 30-4-103(6); all as enacted by 2023 Pub. Ch. 297), 30-1-201(a) (bond required unless the will excuses it, the PR is sole beneficiary, all adult beneficiaries consent, or the PR is a bank excused under § 45-2-1005), 30-2-301 (PR-filed inventory), 30-2-306(a) (two consecutive weekly published notices, or posting) and § 30-2-306(b) (the prescribed notice form, whose clauses (1)(A), (1)(B) and (2) carry the 4-month, 60-day and 12-month claim limbs), 30-2-307(a)(1) (claims barred unless filed within the period prescribed in that notice), 30-2-310(a) (12-month outer bar from death), 30-2-321 (that period runs from the date of first publication or posting), 30-2-317(a)(1) (attorney and PR compensation as a first-priority cost of administration), 30-2-601(a)(1) (accounting waivable by will), 30-2-606 ("a reasonable compensation for services"), 8-21-401(c)(1) ($275 clerk filing fee for probate estates, eff. 1/1/2026 per 2025 Pub. Ch. 486). Read verbatim 2026-09-08 from the official T.C.A. (lexisnexis.com/hottopics/tncode/) and the enacting acts at publications.tnsosfiles.com; see the verification-record comment above this field for controls, the corpus-complete 114th Gen. Assemb. currency sweep, and the correction to the prior § 30-2-307 reading.Verified Sep 8, 2026 Tennessee's small estate shortcut is a court procedure: the court's own order authorizes collection. There is no affidavit to present to a bank. The waiting period is 45 days after death. Check eligibility with the Tennessee probate need checker.
In Tennessee, simple estates typically take 6-9 months. Average estates take 9-15 months. Complex estates with disputes, tax issues, or unusual assets can take 15-30 months or longer.T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-103 (The Small Estate Probate Act: $50,000 limit in § 30-4-102(9); personal-property-only definition in § 30-4-102(8); 45-day wait and bond rules in § 30-4-103(1), (3); no creditor notice or claims in § 30-4-103(6); all as enacted by 2023 Pub. Ch. 297), 30-1-201(a) (bond required unless the will excuses it, the PR is sole beneficiary, all adult beneficiaries consent, or the PR is a bank excused under § 45-2-1005), 30-2-301 (PR-filed inventory), 30-2-306(a) (two consecutive weekly published notices, or posting) and § 30-2-306(b) (the prescribed notice form, whose clauses (1)(A), (1)(B) and (2) carry the 4-month, 60-day and 12-month claim limbs), 30-2-307(a)(1) (claims barred unless filed within the period prescribed in that notice), 30-2-310(a) (12-month outer bar from death), 30-2-321 (that period runs from the date of first publication or posting), 30-2-317(a)(1) (attorney and PR compensation as a first-priority cost of administration), 30-2-601(a)(1) (accounting waivable by will), 30-2-606 ("a reasonable compensation for services"), 8-21-401(c)(1) ($275 clerk filing fee for probate estates, eff. 1/1/2026 per 2025 Pub. Ch. 486). Read verbatim 2026-09-08 from the official T.C.A. (lexisnexis.com/hottopics/tncode/) and the enacting acts at publications.tnsosfiles.com; see the verification-record comment above this field for controls, the corpus-complete 114th Gen. Assemb. currency sweep, and the correction to the prior § 30-2-307 reading.Verified Sep 8, 2026 The 4-month creditor claim period runs from first publication of the creditor notice, which follows the executor's appointment.
Yes — the calculator above estimates Tennessee probate attorney fees from the estate value. Tennessee uses a "reasonable compensation" standard, so fees depend on estate complexity, time spent, and local rates.T.C.A. § 30-2-317(a)(1) (attorney fees are a first-priority cost of administration — "reasonable compensation to the personal representative and the personal representative's counsel"); see also § 30-2-606. No statutory percentage or fee schedule.Verified Sep 8, 2026 On a $500,000 estate, typical fees run 1.7% to 2.7% of its value; the percentage runs higher on smaller estates and lower on larger ones. It shows the attorney fee alongside executor fees, court filing fees, and the total probate cost.
Tennessee allows executors to receive reasonable compensation.T.C.A. § 30-2-606 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026 Executors can waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. See a detailed breakdown with the Tennessee executor fee calculator.
Real property is outside this procedure in Tennessee — it reaches personal property only, and real estate transfers separately.T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-103 (The Small Estate Probate Act: $50,000 limit in § 30-4-102(9); personal-property-only definition in § 30-4-102(8); 45-day wait and bond rules in § 30-4-103(1), (3); no creditor notice or claims in § 30-4-103(6); all as enacted by 2023 Pub. Ch. 297), 30-1-201(a) (bond required unless the will excuses it, the PR is sole beneficiary, all adult beneficiaries consent, or the PR is a bank excused under § 45-2-1005), 30-2-301 (PR-filed inventory), 30-2-306(a) (two consecutive weekly published notices, or posting) and § 30-2-306(b) (the prescribed notice form, whose clauses (1)(A), (1)(B) and (2) carry the 4-month, 60-day and 12-month claim limbs), 30-2-307(a)(1) (claims barred unless filed within the period prescribed in that notice), 30-2-310(a) (12-month outer bar from death), 30-2-321 (that period runs from the date of first publication or posting), 30-2-317(a)(1) (attorney and PR compensation as a first-priority cost of administration), 30-2-601(a)(1) (accounting waivable by will), 30-2-606 ("a reasonable compensation for services"), 8-21-401(c)(1) ($275 clerk filing fee for probate estates, eff. 1/1/2026 per 2025 Pub. Ch. 486). Read verbatim 2026-09-08 from the official T.C.A. (lexisnexis.com/hottopics/tncode/) and the enacting acts at publications.tnsosfiles.com; see the verification-record comment above this field for controls, the corpus-complete 114th Gen. Assemb. currency sweep, and the correction to the prior § 30-2-307 reading.Verified Sep 8, 2026
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Named as Executor
What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.
Learn more
Death of a Parent
A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.
Learn more
Loss of a Spouse
What a surviving spouse needs to do: death certificates, survivor benefits, whether probate is even required, and the tax election that expires.
Learn more
New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn moreMore estate planning resources
Explore related tools and documents to complete your estate plan.
Last Will and Testament
Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Financial Power of Attorney
Designate someone to manage your financial affairs.
Transfer on Death Deed
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate.
Vehicle Transfer on Death
Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle at death without probate.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Prepare the application to open probate and request Letters Testamentary or of Administration.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.
Do I Need Probate?
Answer a few questions to find out if an estate needs full probate, qualifies for simplified probate, or can avoid probate entirely with a small estate affidavit.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.
When you're ready, we're here.
Tennessee Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Tennessee probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.