Rutherford County
Probate Court
In Tennessee, estates are probated in the Chancery Court / Circuit Court / Probate Court. This page gathers where to file in Rutherford County, the state rules that apply, and where every detail comes from.
located via OpenStreetMap
Where to file in Rutherford County
- Handled by
- Chancery Court / Circuit Court / Probate CourtIn Tennessee, probate jurisdiction is held by the Chancery Court in most counties, or by specialized Probate Courts in counties like Shelby (Memphis) and Davidson (Nashville).
- County building
- Rutherford County Clerk 319 North Maple Street 121, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 Main line: (615) 898-7800 OpenStreetMap · view the map entry
- Phone
- (615) 898-7800OpenStreetMap
- Opening hours
- Not published in an open source. Check the court or county website before you go.
- County website
- rutherfordcountytn.govWikidata
- State courts & e-filing
- tncourts.govCase search: Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts Case Search
How probate runs in Rutherford County
Six stages, with the Tennessee rules that set the pace.
- 01
Secure the original will
Find the original signed will and order certified death certificates. Tennessee deadline: Must be presented for probate promptly; generally within 10 years of death.
- 02
Pick the right track
If the probate estate is under $50,000, a small-estate procedure (Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-4-101 et seq. (§ 30-4-103)) may avoid full administration.
- 03
Petition the court
File the petition with the Chancery Court / Circuit Court / Probate Court for Rutherford County. The court appoints the executor or administrator and issues letters.
- 04
Inventory the estate
Open an estate bank account (the IRS issues the EIN), list assets at date-of-death values and file the inventory if the court requires it.
- 05
Notify creditors
Publish or send notice to creditors. Window: 4 months from the date of first publication of notice to creditors, or 60 days from direct receipt.
- 06
Account and distribute
Pay debts, taxes and fees (Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-606), file the final account if required, distribute to heirs and ask to close the estate.
Where to get help.
We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.
- 01 Tennessee courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
- 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
- 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
Tennessee rules that apply here
Probate law is state law — these apply in all 95 Tennessee counties.
- Small estates
- $50,000 total property; handled by sworn petition for limited letters of administration/testamentary of a small estate (no authority over real estate)Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-4-101 et seq. (§ 30-4-103) · wait 45 days
- Filing the will
- Must be presented for probate promptly; generally within 10 years of death
- Creditor claims
- 4 months from the date of first publication of notice to creditors, or 60 days from direct receiptTenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-306 & § 30-2-310
- Executor fees
- Reasonable compensation fixed by court based on time, responsibility, and estate complexity (~2.5% to 5%)Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-606 · estimate the fee
- Handwritten wills
- Recognized. Tennessee recognizes holographic wills if all material provisions and signature are in the testator's handwriting, proved by two witnesses (T.C.A. § 32-1-105).
- Estate tax
- No state estate tax.Tennessee inheritance/estate tax was completely phased out and repealed as of January 1, 2016.
- Inheritance tax
- No.No state inheritance tax in Tennessee.
- Typical duration
- 6 to 12 monthsA lawyer is not required by statute, though most formal estates use one.
Rules re-checked Sept 2026 against: law.justia.com (statute) · tennlaw.com (statute) · law.justia.com (statute) · codes.findlaw.com (statute)