About Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority for Estates Without 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 does not exceed $50,000 and the deceased had no will.
When you'd use it: When the total personal property of the deceased is $50,000 or less, the deceased resided in Rutherford County at death, at least 45 days have passed since death, and you are an heir or have consent from all heirs.
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: rutherfordcountytn.gov
Link last checked: May 31, 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 the total personal property of the deceased is $50,000 or less, the deceased resided in Rutherford County at death, at least 45 days have passed since death, and you are an heir or have consent from all heirs. 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).