Quick answer: Probate in Tennessee typically costs 3%–7% of the estate. On a $500,000 estate that's roughly $20,000–$32,000 — most of it the executor and attorney fees, since Tennessee has no statutory percentage and court costs are modest. Get your own figure with the Tennessee probate cost calculator.
The costs, line by line
1. Executor fee — reasonable, no fixed %
Tennessee, like Arizona, sets no statutory percentage. Under T.C.A. § 30-2-606, the clerk credits the executor with "reasonable compensation" when settling the accounting — decided case by case. In practice this runs about 2%–4% of the estate.
2. Attorney fees — also reasonable
No statutory schedule. Routine estates commonly run 2%–4% of the estate or an hourly rate; contested estates cost far more. See Tennessee probate attorney fees.
3. Court filing & other costs
County filing fees run roughly $334–$500 (T.C.A. § 8-21-409). Add creditor publication, certified Letters Testamentary (extra letters about $6 each), and a bond premium (~0.5%/year) unless the will waives the bond. Details in our Tennessee filing fees guide.
Worked examples by estate size
Assumes a 3% executor fee, a routine attorney fee, a bond, and a mid-range county filing fee:
| Estate value | Executor (3%) | Attorney (routine) | Filing + bond + notice | Approx. total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $3,000 | $2,500 | $1,160 | ≈ $6,660 |
| $500,000 | $15,000 | $12,500 | $3,160 | ≈ $30,660 |
| $1,000,000 | $30,000 | $20,000 | $5,660 | ≈ $55,660 |
If a family member serves and waives the fee, subtract the executor column. Bond can be waived by the will. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
How to reduce Tennessee probate costs
- Use a Small Estate Affidavit for probate personal property up to $50,000 (T.C.A. § 30-4-102) — far faster and cheaper.
- Waive the bond in the will to avoid the annual premium.
- Executor waives the fee if a family member and heir.
- A living trust or POD avoids probate entirely.