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 Shelby 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.
Shelby County Clerk & Master Guide
Thirtieth Judicial District · Clerk & Master information · Updated June 2026
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Filing & Fees
Fee Schedule Signals
Source ↗Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
Formal Administration Standard probate for larger estates | $342 |
Small Estate Affidavit For estates under threshold (no court filing needed) | $41 |
Note: As a charter-form-of-government county, Shelby uses the itemized probate fee schedule in Tenn. Code Ann. 8-21-409 rather than the flat $230 statewide opening fee. The all-in cost to open a full estate has been observed at approximately $341.50 (petition to probate a will) plus a publication fee of roughly $55. The small estate (limited letters) statutory clerk fee is $41 under Tenn. Code Ann. 8-21-401, with county add-ons. These amounts are not value-bracketed; Tennessee imposes no probate tax measured against estate value. Verify the current schedule (effective January 1, 2026) with the Shelby County Probate Court Clerk before filing.
As a charter-form-of-government county, Shelby uses the itemized probate fee schedule in Tenn. Code Ann. 8-21-409 rather than the flat $230 statewide opening fee. The all-in cost to open a full estate has been observed at approximately $341.50 (petition to probate a will) plus a publication fee of roughly $55. The small estate (limited letters) statutory clerk fee is $41 under Tenn. Code Ann. 8-21-401, with county add-ons. These amounts are not value-bracketed; Tennessee imposes no probate tax measured against estate value. Verify the current schedule (effective January 1, 2026) with the Shelby County Probate Court Clerk before filing.
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.
Shelby County (Memphis) operates a dedicated Probate Court whose case records are searchable through the Tennessee Public Court Records System (TnCIS) and the Probate Court Clerk's own public query tools. Records are searchable but may not be complete and document images may be limited. Confirm case details directly with the Shelby County Probate Court Clerk.
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