DeKalb County Probate Statistics

Use this county view to check filing-fee patterns, e-filing access, and timing signals before you rely on a probate cost estimate or start preparing a petition.

Published: January 15, 2026Updated: June 14, 2026Data quality: Medium

What This County Snapshot Covers

This page is meant to answer the fast operational questions first: what the county charges to open common probate proceedings, whether e-filing is available, how long creditor claims may run, and where to verify the court record.

Fee Rows Captured

E-Filing Available

4 mo

Creditor Claim Period

Medium

Data Quality

Official Sources to Verify

Court Forms or Filing Portal

Review the county or court forms page tied to this probate workflow.

Case Search

Use the county case-search tool when you need live docket or estate-case status information. Search results may not include every probate record.

Tennessee Case Finder is the statewide public inquiry portal for participating trial-court clerks (Circuit, Chancery/Clerk and Master, and General Sessions). Not every county or case type participates, records are not complete, and document images are generally not available. Confirm case details directly with the DeKalb County Chancery Court Clerk and Master.

Open case search

Clerk & Master Website

Go straight to the Clerk & Master website for clerk notices and local instructions.

Filing Fee Schedule

Formal Administration	$230
Small Estate Affidavit	$41

Filing Options

in person

Filing Deadlines

Creditor Claim Period4 months

Clerk & Master Information

DeKalb County Chancery Court

DeKalb County Courthouse, 1 Public Square, Room 302, Smithville, TN 37166

Phone: 615-597-4360

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Clerk & Master Website →

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the DeKalb County probate fees on this page the full cost of the case?

Not necessarily. Filing fees are only one part of probate cost. Publication charges, certified copies, appraisal expenses, attorney fees, and other estate-administration costs may still apply.

What does e-filing status mean for DeKalb County probate cases?

E-filing status tells you whether the county accepts online filing and, when available in the dataset, whether attorneys are required to use it. That still does not replace checking the current clerk instructions before filing.

Why might a fee or deadline be missing?

Some counties publish fees in fragmented schedules, update procedures without a clean machine-readable source, or handle certain deadlines in local instructions rather than a simple statewide field. Use the county reference page and Clerk & Master website to verify anything missing.

Information current as of June 14, 2026

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Tennessee can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.