Overview
Robertson County is located in Tennessee with a population of approximately 78,459. The Robertson County Chancery Court handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Tennessee probate is governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 30-1-101 et seq. The process begins with filing a Petition to Probate Will or Petition for Letters of Administration to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
Tennessee offers a simplified probate process for small estates valued at $50,000 or less (excluding real property). This process, known as the Small Estate Affidavit (T.C.A. § 30-4-101), allows for the administration of the estate without full probate proceedings after a 45-day waiting period from the date of death.
Tennessee does not have a statutory fee schedule for attorneys or executors; fees must be "reasonable" and are subject to court approval if contested or if required by local rules.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Robertson County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Robertson County Chancery Court
Probate matters in Robertson County are handled at the Robertson County Office Building (Clerk & Master's Office) or the Historic Courthouse.
Address: 422 West Court Square, Room 102, Springfield, TN 37172
Phone: (615) 384-5650
Clerk & Master: Jon T. Graves
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The Clerk and Master serves as the clerk for the Chancery Court, which has jurisdiction over probate matters. The office is located in the county seat of Springfield.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available around the Court Square and in designated lots near the county buildings. Visitors should be prepared for security screening upon entering the courthouse.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Affidavit: If the estate is valued at $50,000 or less (excluding real estate) and 45 days have passed since death, you may file a Small Estate Affidavit.
- Non-Probate Transfers: Assets with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts) or held in joint tenancy with rights of survivorship pass directly to the co-owner or beneficiary.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file a Petition to Probate Will (testate) or Petition for Letters of Administration (intestate) with the Robertson County Chancery Court. Include:
- Original Last Will and Testament (if applicable)
- Certified copy of the Death Certificate
- List of heirs and beneficiaries with addresses
- Filing fee (approx. $335.00 - $420.00)
- Oath of Personal Representative
Electronic filing may be available; check with the Clerk and Master's office for current e-filing protocols.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the hearing to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties.
- Publish notice to creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Robertson County (e.g., The Robertson County Connection or The Robertson County Times) for two consecutive weeks.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court will schedule a hearing on the petition. At the hearing, the judge reviews the petition and, if approved, issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, granting the personal representative authority to act.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify creditors (creditors have 4 months from the date of first publication to file claims)
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 60 days (unless waived by the will and all beneficiaries)
- Pay valid creditor claims and estate expenses
- File federal and state tax returns as needed (including TN inheritance tax returns for deaths prior to 2016; generally not applicable for 2026)
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a final accounting (unless waived) and petition to close the estate
Local Requirements
Robertson County-Specific Procedures
- Local Forms: The Clerk and Master provides specific forms for Small Estates, Oaths, and Inventories on their website.
- Bond: A bond is typically required unless waived by the will or by agreement of all beneficiaries.
- Local Rules: The 19th Judicial District (including Robertson County) has local rules governing court practice; consult the Clerk & Master for specific probate dockets.
- Publication: Notice to creditors must be published in a local newspaper such as The Robertson County Connection or The Robertson County Times.
Always verify the latest local rules with the Clerk and Master's office before filing.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Robertson County)
- Petition to Probate Will / Administration: approximately $335.00 - $420.00 (varies by specific service)
- Small Estate Affidavit: approximately $100.00 - $150.00
- Certified copies of Letters: approximately $5.00 - $10.00 per copy
- Publication costs: approximately $150.00 - $250.00 (paid directly to newspaper)
- Claim against Estate: approximately $11.00
Note: Fees are subject to change. A new fee schedule was effective Jan 1, 2026. Contact the Clerk and Master for exact amounts.
Payment Methods
The court typically accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee).
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (Small Estate): 2-4 months
- Average formal probate: 6-12 months
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to 2 years or more
The creditor claim period in Tennessee is 4 months from the date of the first publication of notice to creditors, which sets a minimum timeline for closing formal estates.
Local Resources
Robertson County Court Resources
- Court Website: Robertson County Clerk & Master
- Probate Forms: Chancery Document Center
- Tennessee AOC Forms: TN Courts Forms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Tennessee Bar Association: (615) 383-7421 — tba.org
- Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee: (615) 244-6610 — las.org
- Robertson County Bar Association: Contact local court for officer information.
Publication
- The Robertson County Connection: (615) 384-5650 (Main Street Media) — Legal Notices
- The Robertson County Times: (615) 384-5200 — Legal Notices