Quick answer: Tennessee probate filing fees are set by each county and typically run $334–$500, under the clerk fee statute (T.C.A. § 8-21-409). A small-estate affidavit filing is cheaper — often around $30–$230 depending on the county.
Why Tennessee filing fees vary by county
Tennessee probate is filed with the probate clerk — the Clerk & Master of the Chancery Court, or a dedicated Probate Court clerk in counties like Shelby and Davidson. Each of the state's 95 counties applies the statewide clerk fee statute but adds its own recording and service charges, so Shelby (Memphis), Davidson (Nashville), Knox (Knoxville) and Hamilton (Chattanooga) differ slightly. The executor and attorney fee rules are statewide — only the court fee moves.
| County (main city) | Typical full-probate filing fee |
|---|---|
| Shelby (Memphis) | ~$430–$470 |
| Davidson (Nashville) | ~$400–$440 |
| Knox (Knoxville) | ~$380–$420 |
| Hamilton (Chattanooga) | ~$380–$420 |
| Rutherford | ~$360–$400 |
| Other Tennessee counties | $334–$500 |
Typical ranges; each county sets and updates its own schedule. A small-estate affidavit filing is much cheaper. Confirm the exact fee with the county probate clerk before filing.
Other court-related costs
- Notice to creditors — publication in a local newspaper; roughly $80–$150. Creditors then have 4 months to file claims.
- Certified Letters Testamentary — needed by banks and title; additional letters cost about $6 each.
- Surety bond — required unless the will waives it (or the personal representative is the sole beneficiary, or all adult beneficiaries consent); premium ~0.5% of the estate per year.
- Muniment of title — a cheaper real-estate-only path in some counties (for example, filing to establish a muniment of title runs a few hundred dollars).
Where filing fees sit in the total
Filing fees are the smallest part of Tennessee probate — the executor and attorney fees dominate. See the whole picture in the Tennessee probate cost breakdown, learn about attorney fees, or estimate your total with the Tennessee probate cost calculator.