About Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority for Estates with a Will
To file for alternative small estate administration of a deceased person's estate under Tennessee's Small Estate Act when the estate value is $50,000 or less and a will exists.
When you'd use it: When a decedent who resided in Rutherford County has left a will, the personal property value is $50,000 or less, and at least 45 days have passed since death.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority for Estates with 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 with a Will (PDF) →
Source: rutherfordcountytn.gov
Link last checked: May 31, 2026
How to file Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority for Estates with a Will in Tennessee
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority for Estates with a Will when when a decedent who resided in Rutherford County has left a will, the personal property value is $50,000 or less, and at least 45 days have passed since death. 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 with 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 with 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).