Use This County Probate Reference Before You File
This page is built for the detailed county-level checks that generic probate guides usually miss: local filing fees, Clerk & Master contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Hamilton County.
Local Fee Schedule
Review county-specific probate filing charges before you estimate total case cost.
Court Rules and Orders
Check the local rules, judge procedures, and administrative orders that can change how a case moves.
Clerk and Filing Logistics
Confirm where to file, whether e-filing is allowed, and how hearings or notices are handled locally.
Hamilton County Clerk & Master Guide
11th Judicial District of Tennessee · Clerk & Master information · Updated June 2026
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Filing & Fees
Fee Schedule Signals
Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
Formal Administration Standard probate for larger estates | $230 |
Small Estate Affidavit For estates under threshold (no court filing needed) | $41 |
Note: In Hamilton County, probate and the construction of trusts are assigned to the Chancery Court (Part 2); the Clerk and Master maintains the probate case files at 625 Georgia Avenue. Hamilton County posts its Chancery Court rules and fee documents online, but the specific dollar amounts were not captured line-by-line in this pass, so the statewide statutory clerk fees are recorded as the documented baseline: about $230 to open and close a full estate and about $41 to file a small estate petition (Tenn. Code Ann. 8-21-401), plus local litigation taxes and administrative charges. Hamilton is a large/urban county and may use the itemized charter-government fee schedule (Tenn. Code Ann. 8-21-409) - verify current amounts on the county's Chancery Court Rules and Fees page before relying on a figure.
In Hamilton County, probate and the construction of trusts are assigned to the Chancery Court (Part 2); the Clerk and Master maintains the probate case files at 625 Georgia Avenue. Hamilton County posts its Chancery Court rules and fee documents online, but the specific dollar amounts were not captured line-by-line in this pass, so the statewide statutory clerk fees are recorded as the documented baseline: about $230 to open and close a full estate and about $41 to file a small estate petition (Tenn. Code Ann. 8-21-401), plus local litigation taxes and administrative charges. Hamilton is a large/urban county and may use the itemized charter-government fee schedule (Tenn. Code Ann. 8-21-409) - verify current amounts on the county's Chancery Court Rules and Fees page before relying on a figure.
Required Documents
- Original Will
If a will exists, the original must be filed with the Clerk and Master (or Probate Court). Tenn. Code Ann. 32-1-104 / 32-2-110.
- Petition for Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
Opens the estate: Letters Testamentary when there is a will, Letters of Administration when there is none. Local Clerk and Master form.
- Oath of the Personal Representative
Signed and notarized oath of the executor or administrator.
- Fiduciary Bond
Required unless waived by the will or by the court/beneficiaries. Tenn. Code Ann. 30-1-201.
- Order Admitting Will to Probate and Granting Letters
The court order appointing the personal representative and (if applicable) admitting the will.
- Notice to Creditors
Published notice to creditors; the four-month claim period runs from first publication. Tenn. Code Ann. 30-2-306(b).
- Inventory of the Estate
Filed within 60 days of appointment unless waived by the will or all residuary distributees. Tenn. Code Ann. 30-2-301.
E-Filing & Filing Methods
Records portal
Use this county-linked source to check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.
Tennessee's statewide Public Case History portal covers appellate-level cases (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals) and does not include county trial-court probate records. Tennessee has no unified statewide trial-court probate search; county probate records are held by the local Clerk and Master. Confirm specific estate case details directly with the Hamilton County Clerk and Master.
Timelines & Proceedings
Deadlines & Creditor Claims
Key Deadlines
- Will Deposit
- Verify locally
- Creditor Claims
- 4 months
Creditor Claims
- Period Starts
- first publication of notice to creditors
Related Proceedings
Property Recording
Source ↗Sources (9)
- https://www.hamiltontn.gov/ChanceryCourt_Dockets.aspx
- https://www.tncourts.gov/clerks
- https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/public-case-history
- https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-8/chapter-21/part-4/section-8-21-401/
- https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-30/chapter-4/section-30-4-102/
- https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-30/chapter-4/section-30-4-103/
- https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-30/chapter-2/part-3/section-30-2-306/
- https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-30/chapter-2/part-3/section-30-2-307/
- https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-32/chapter-2/