Can You Self-File Probate in Bradley County, Tennessee?
Tennessee has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available. In Bradley County, the petition is filed at the Bradley County Chancery Court.
In principle, yes, but Tennessee has no standardized statewide probate form, so the opening petition filed in Bradley County is drafted as a formal legal pleading. Most self-filers in this position work with an attorney; a qualifying small estate is simpler to handle. The estate settlement plan tracks each Bradley County filing step alongside the estate's accounts and deadlines.
File at the Chancery Court, 155 North Ocoee Street, Room 203, Cleveland, TN 37311. Phone: 1-423-728-7204. Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
Bradley County does not offer probate e-filing. Confirm the paper or mail filing rules with the Chancery Court.
The Tennessee court filing fee is $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, and publication of the creditor notice is a separate cost set by the newspaper. Tennessee requires a bond of the personal representative by defaultT.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, so a bond premium is a cost too unless the will or the heirs waive it. The filing fee is a fraction of what probate costs with counsel: attorney fees are the largest line, and self-filing removes that line while court costs, publication and executor compensation stay the same.
A simple estate in Tennessee typically takes 6 months to 9 months. The creditor claim period of 4 monthsT.C.A. § 30-2-306(b) cl. (1)(A) (4 months from first publication or posting), cl. (1)(B) (60 days from actual notice), cl. (2) and § 30-2-310(a) (12-month bar from death); § 30-2-307(a)(1); § 30-2-321Verified Sep 8, 2026View source is the floor: final distribution waits for it to run. Self-filed probate takes the same time as attorney-filed probate; the court's calendar, not the filer, sets the pace.
Self-File Probate Assessment in Nearby Counties
- Other counties in the 10th Judicial District: McMinn County (Athens) · Monroe County (Madisonville) · Polk County (Benton)
- More Tennessee counties: Blount County (Maryville) · Campbell County (Jacksboro)
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Tennessee
Free forms for settling an estate in Tennessee: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form for Tennessee.
Notice to Creditors
In Tennessee, the notice to creditors is published for 2T.C.A. §§ 30-2-306, 30-2-307, 30-2-310, 30-2-314, 30-2-317Verified Oct 19, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 monthsT.C.A. § 30-2-306(b) cl. (1)(A) (4 months from first publication or posting), cl. (1)(B) (60 days from actual notice), cl. (2) and § 30-2-310(a) (12-month bar from death); § 30-2-307(a)(1); § 30-2-321Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Tennessee, a person named as personal representative may decline to serveTenn. Code Ann. § 30-1-112(a)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Tennessee, heirs put their identity on the land records with an affidavit of heirship recorded with the countyTenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-712Verified Sep 24, 2026View source; once recorded it is prima facie evidence of the facts stated.
Estate Inventory
In Tennessee, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysTenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-301Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Tennessee, the personal representative is discharged by court orderTenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-307(a)(2); § 30-2-601(b)(2), (c)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.
IRS Form 1310
Claim a refund due a deceased taxpayer on the official form, on the box the form routes you to, with what the form says to attach.
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 Much Can an Executor Charge?
Tennessee pays executors reasonable compensationT.C.A. § 30-2-606 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
How Do I Get Letters Testamentary?
In Tennessee, the Clerk & Master issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration once the Chancery Court appoints the personal representative; every appointment goes through the court.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Tennessee, creditors have 4 monthsT.C.A. § 30-2-306(b) cl. (1)(A) (4 months from first publication or posting), cl. (1)(B) (60 days from actual notice), cl. (2) and § 30-2-310(a) (12-month bar from death); § 30-2-307(a)(1); § 30-2-321Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Tennessee pays the claims in 4T.C.A. § 30-2-317Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs of administration (incl. bond premiums, PR and counsel compensation).
How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property?
In Tennessee, a deceased owner's unclaimed property is claimed from the Tennessee Department of Treasury, Unclaimed Property DivisionTenn. Code Title 66, Chapter 29, Part 1 (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. Any claim valued at $10,000 or more must use the Estate Claim option, which pays the estateFind Your Missing Money (Tennessee Department of Treasury, Unclaimed Property)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Social Security Survivor Benefits Can I Get?
Which Social Security survivor benefit a spouse, former spouse, child or parent can get, what share it pays, and the lump-sum death payment.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
In Tennessee, the personal representative lists the estate's personal property at its fair market value as of the date of deathTenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-301Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, on the inventory filed within 60 daysTenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-301Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of the appointment.
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Tennessee Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Tennessee probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.