Tools for Settling an Estate in Tennessee

After a death in Tennessee, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $50,000 or goes through probate, where creditors have 4 months to file claims after notice.

All Planning ahead Settling an estate

25 tools for Tennessee

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Tennessee costs an estimated $24,527. Attorney fees run 1.7% to 2.7% of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.

Use Calculator

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Tennessee pays executors reasonable compensation, typically 2.2% to 3.8% of the estate.

Use Calculator

Who Inherits Without a Will?

Without a will in Tennessee, descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representation, and an heir must survive the decedent by 120 hours to inherit.

Use Calculator

What's Fair Trustee Compensation?

In Tennessee, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent) unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.

Use Calculator

How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Tennessee levies no estate or inheritance tax; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,000.

Use Calculator

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In Tennessee, certified death certificates come from the Tennessee Department of Health - Office of Vital Records; the first copy costs $15.

Use Calculator

Do I Need Probate?

In Tennessee, estates with personal property of $50,000 or less qualify for the Small Estate Probate Act Petition, 45 days after death, a court procedure short of full probate.

Check Now

What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?

Tennessee imposes no inheritance or estate tax; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate.

Learn More

How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?

Inherited assets in Tennessee take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death, and the gain on a later sale faces no state capital gains tax.

Use Calculator

What Are the Estate Laws in My State?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Tennessee costs an estimated $24,527 and takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 1.7% to 2.7% of the estate. Estates under $50,000 can use a small-estate procedure instead.

Check Your State

What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in My State?

Tennessee allows you to name your own agent in a signed, written document, and that designation takes priority over the statutory order of next of kin who otherwise control disposition of the remains.

Check Your State

How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.

Check Requirements

Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.

Check Portability

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.

Check Now

How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

In Tennessee, the Chancery Court appoints the personal representative and the Clerk & Master issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the court.

See the Steps

What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

In Tennessee, creditors have 4 months from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.

Check Deadlines

What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

When an estate owes more than it holds, Tennessee pays the claims in 4 classes in statutory order, beginning with costs of administration (incl. bond premiums, PR and counsel compensation).

Check the Payment Order

How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?

Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.

See Bank Requirements

How Do I Open a Trust Account at My Bank?

Compare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.

See Bank Requirements

When Do I Have to Withdraw an Inherited IRA?

See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.

Check Withdrawal Rules

1 2

Settling an estate in Tennessee means gathering the assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to the beneficiaries. Assets in a living trust settle privately without the court. An estate that needs probate takes 9 months to 15 months on average, and the creditor claim period of 4 months is the floor. In a probate case the inventory of estate assets is due within 60 days of appointment.

Tennessee has no single statewide fill-in petition; the opening document is prepared to statute and filed with the Chancery Court. Clerk & Master issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration after the court grants the petition.

The creditor claim period of 4 months runs from the first publication of the creditor notice, which follows the executor's appointment. Distributing assets before the period has run can leave the executor personally liable for a claim that arrives later.

Tennessee allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules pay. Courts consider the size and complexity of the estate, the time spent, and the executor's skill and experience. Executors can waive the fee entirely or accept a reduced amount.

Settling a trust in Tennessee starts when the successor trustee accepts the role: the trustee obtains death certificates and an EIN for the now-irrevocable trust, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 days, takes inventory of the trust assets, settles the grantor's debts and taxes, and distributes what remains under the trust terms. The process runs privately, without probate court supervision.

Tools for Settling an Estate in Tennessee

After a death in Tennessee, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $50,000 or goes through probate, where creditors have 4 months to file claims after notice.