Filing Fees

Shelby County, Tennessee

Fee Type	Amount
Petition to Probate Will	$341.50
Petition for Letter of Administration	$341.50
Small Estate Petition with Will	$341.50
Small Estate Petition without Will	$341.50
Petition to Probate for Muniment of Title only	$341.50
Petition for Conservatorship or Guardianship	$341.50
Petition for Name Change	$166.50
Petition for Emancipation	$166.50
Petition to Correct a Birth Certificate	$216.50

Judges & Officers

Kathleen N. Gomes

Joe Townsend

Probate Forms Library

71 fillable forms — scroll to browse

4892 — Accounting FormcountyDownload

Additional Pages for Small Estate Petition (Debts, Assets, Heirs, Beneficiaries)countyDownload

4896 — Affidavit for Waving TN Inheritance Tax ReturncountyDownload

4895 — Affidavit of Absent ParentcountyDownload

4897 — Agreement Between Fiduciary & Financial InstitutioncountyDownload

4898 — Certification as to Notice of AccountingcountyDownload

4901 — Clerks Report on AccountingscountyDownload

Conservator/Guardian Oath of Person & EstatecountyDownload

Estate OathcountyDownload

Estate Status ReportcountyDownload

4908 — Motion for Additional Time to File AccountingcountyDownload

4910 — Notice of AccountingcountyDownload

4926 — Notice of Hearing - WardcountyDownload

4915 — Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem and Setting Hearing DatecountyDownload

4913 — Order Confirming AccountingcountyDownload

Order Continuing Show CausecountyDownload

4914 — Order Granting Additional Time to File and AccountingcountyDownload

Order Waiving Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem and Setting Hearing DatecountyDownload

Receipt and WaivercountyDownload

RULES OF THE PROBATE COURT OF SHELBY COUNTY, ...Tennessee Administrative Office of the CourtscountyDownload

rules of the probate court of shelby county, tennesseeTennessee Administrative Office of the CourtscountyDownload

Small Estate Consent FormcountyDownload

4-101 — Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority (Fillable) (Print One-Sided for Submission)countyDownload

4918 — Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority (Print One-Sided for Submission)countyDownload

4916 — Statement of Fiduciary as to Physical or Mental Condition of the Disabled PersoncountyDownload

1041 — Accumulation Distribution for Certain Complex TrustsfederalDownload

1041-T — Allocation of Estimated Tax Payments to BeneficiariesfederalDownload

1041 — Alternative Minimum Tax — Estates and TrustsfederalDownload

Application For Burial BenefitsfederalDownload

SSA-4 — Application for Child's Insurance BenefitsfederalDownload

SF 2800 — Application for Death Benefits (CSRS)federalDownload

SF 3104 — Application for Death Benefits (FERS)federalDownload

Application For DIC, Survivors Pension And/Or Accrued BenefitsfederalDownload

SS-4 — Application for Employer Identification NumberfederalDownload

706 — Application for Extension of Time To File a Return and/or Pay U.S. Estate TaxesfederalDownload

SSA-10 — Application for Widow's or Widower's Insurance BenefitsfederalDownload

1041 — Beneficiary's Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc.federalDownload

1041 — Capital Gains and Losses (Estates and Trusts)federalDownload

706-CE — Certification of Payment of Foreign Death TaxfederalDownload

FE6 — Claim for Death Benefits (FEGLI)federalDownload

VA40-1330 — Claim For Standard Government Headstone Or MarkerfederalDownload

SF 2818 — Continuation of Life Insurance Coverage as AnnuitantfederalDownload

FE7 — Designation Of Beneficiary (FEGLI)federalDownload

SF 2823 — Designation Of Beneficiary Federal Employees' Group Life InsurancefederalDownload

FS 5336 — Disposition of Treasury Securities Belonging to a Decedent's Estate Being Settled Without AdministrationfederalDownload

8855 — Election To Treat a Qualified Revocable Trust as Part of an EstatefederalDownload

1041 — Estimated Income Tax for Estates and TrustsfederalDownload

706 — Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax (Form 706)federalDownload

706-GS — Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return for DistributionsfederalDownload

706-GS — Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return for TerminationsfederalDownload

8971 — Information Regarding Beneficiaries Acquiring Property From a DecedentfederalDownload

56 — Notice Concerning Fiduciary RelationshipfederalDownload

706-GS — Notification of Distribution From a Generation-Skipping TrustfederalDownload

1041-V — Payment Voucher (Estate or Trust)federalDownload

I-360 — Petition For Amerasian, Widow(er), Or Special ImmigrantfederalDownload

2848 — Power of Attorney and Declaration of RepresentativefederalDownload

FS 1455 — Request By Owner or Person Entitled to Payment for Reissue of United States Savings BondsfederalDownload

706 HAS — Request for Discharge From Personal Liability Under IRC 2204 or 6905federalDownload

4810 — Request For Prompt Assessment Under Internal Revenue Code Section 6501(d)federalDownload

FS 1522 — Special Form of Request for Payment of United States Savings and Retirement SecuritiesfederalDownload

SSA-721 — Statement of Death by Funeral DirectorfederalDownload

1310 — Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased TaxpayerfederalDownload

706-NA — U.S. Estate Tax Return for Nonresident Not a Citizen of the U.S.federalDownload

706-QDT — U.S. Estate Tax Return for Qualified Domestic TrustsfederalDownload

1041 U — U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and TrustsfederalDownload

1041-A — U.S. Information Return Trust Accumulation of Charitable AmountsfederalDownload

706-A — United States Additional Estate Tax ReturnfederalDownload

706 UNITED — United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax ReturnfederalDownload

709 — United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax ReturnfederalDownload

A guide for clerks serving courts with probate jurisdictionTennessee Administrative Office of the CourtsstateDownload

RULES OF THE PROBATE COURT OF SHELBY COUNTY, ...Tennessee Administrative Office of the CourtsstateDownload

Probate Guide

Probate in Shelby County, Tennessee

The Shelby County Probate Court handles all matters related to the estates of deceased persons, including the validation of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, and the supervised distribution of assets. If you need to file for probate in Shelby County, TN, this guide covers what you need to know.

What Is Probate?

Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person's estate. It involves validating the will (if one exists), identifying and inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property to heirs and beneficiaries. In Tennessee, the probate court in each county oversees this process.

When Is Probate Required in Tennessee?

Probate is generally required when:

The deceased owned real estate solely in their name
The estate contains assets above Tennessee's small estate threshold
There are disputes among heirs or creditors
Assets are not held in a trust or joint tenancy

Steps to File for Probate in Shelby County

Locate the will (if one exists) and gather the death certificate
File a petition with the Shelby County Probate Court to open probate
Notify heirs and creditors as required by Tennessee law
Inventory the estate — identify all assets, debts, and liabilities
Pay debts and taxes — settle outstanding obligations from estate funds
Distribute remaining assets — according to the will or state intestacy laws
Close the estate — file a final accounting with the court

How Long Does Probate Take?

In Tennessee, probate typically takes 6 to 18 months depending on the complexity of the estate. Simple estates with no disputes may be resolved faster, while contested wills or complex asset distributions can take longer.

Do You Need a Probate Attorney?

While Tennessee does not always require an attorney for probate, it is strongly recommended, especially for estates with significant assets, real estate, business interests, or potential disputes. A local probate attorney familiar with Shelby County Probate Court procedures can help navigate the process efficiently.

Resources

For more information about the probate process, visit the Shelby County Probate Court directly or consult with a local probate attorney. You can also explore tools like EverSettled for step-by-step estate settlement guidance.

Additional Notes

The Shelby County Probate Court oversees conservatorships, corrections to birth certificates, guardianships, judicial hospitalization under the Mental Health Law, name changes, wills, and estates. Two online resources can be used to search for probate case information, depending on the date the case was filed. For cases filed before October 2013, use the Probate Case Information (PW1) portal. For cases filed between October 2013 and the present, use the second Case Information Search portal.

Office Hours

Monday-Friday8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

FAQ

Where do I file for probate in Shelby County, TN?

Probate petitions for estates in Shelby County are filed at the Shelby County Probate Court. Contact the court directly for filing instructions and office hours.

How much does probate cost in Shelby County?

Probate filing fees in Shelby County, Tennessee vary based on the estate value and type of petition. Contact the probate court clerk for the current fee schedule.

How long does probate take in Tennessee?

Probate in Tennessee typically takes 6 to 18 months. Timeline depends on estate complexity, creditor claims, and whether the will is contested.

Can I avoid probate?

Assets held in trusts, joint tenancy, or with designated beneficiaries (like life insurance and retirement accounts) can pass outside of probate. Consult with an estate planning attorney for strategies specific to your situation.

Do I need a lawyer for probate in Shelby County?

While not always legally required in Tennessee, a probate attorney is recommended for most estates, especially those involving real estate, business interests, or potential disputes among heirs.

What happens if someone dies without a will?

When someone dies intestate (without a will) in Tennessee, their assets are distributed according to state intestacy laws. The Shelby County Probate Court will appoint an administrator to manage the estate.

Probate Attorneys

Closest to this court, Tennessee

Ronald (Ron) Gilman

Circuit Judge, U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Memphis · < 1 mi

Michael (Mike) Goldstein

The Gottlieb Organization

Memphis · 9 mi

Blanchard Tual

Tual Graves, PLLC

Memphis · 10 mi

Chasity Grice

The Estate and Family Law Group

Memphis · 11 mi

Conservatorships/GuardianshipsElder Law+1

Michael Parham

Memphis · 11 mi

See more attorneys near Shelby County →

Related Resources

Tennessee Probate Guide →All Tennessee Courts →Financial Institutions →