About Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority for Estates Without a Will
To petition for alternative small estate administration under Tennessee's Small Estates Act for estates valued at $50,000 or less without a will.
When you'd use it: When administering a deceased person's small estate (personal property ≤$50,000) without a will, after 45 days have passed since death, and the deceased was a Davidson County resident.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority for Estates Without a Will is published as a PDF by the Tennessee courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Download Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority for Estates Without a Will (PDF) →
Source: circuitclerk.nashville.gov
Link last checked: May 30, 2026
How to file Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority for Estates Without a Will in Tennessee
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority for Estates Without a Will when when administering a deceased person's small estate (personal property ≤$50,000) without a will, after 45 days have passed since death, and the deceased was a Davidson County resident. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — Tennessee probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority for Estates Without a Will carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority for Estates Without a Will to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the Tennessee county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).