Tennessee · Probate administration

Tennessee Probate Creditor Deadlines and Small-Estate Rules

Tennessee creditor claims arising from a decedent debt are barred unless filed within the period prescribed in the notice to creditors. The notice requires filing by the earlier of the applicable four-month period from first publication or posting, a 60-day period from actual receipt when the creditor receives notice less than 60 days before the four-month date, or twelve months from the decedent's date of death.

3 rules checked against governing sourcesSources checked through Jul 3, 2026Inspect the coverage gate

Answer first, sources attached

Three administration rules to check first

Creditor timing, notice procedure, and simplified-estate eligibility are state-specific. These source-linked rules are a starting point for the administration plan.

Claims deadline

Creditor claim period

Tennessee creditor claims arising from a decedent debt are barred unless filed within the period prescribed in the notice to creditors. The notice requires filing by the earlier of the applicable four-month period from first publication or posting, a 60-day period from actual receipt when the creditor receives notice less than 60 days before the four-month date, or twelve months from the decedent's date of death.

Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 30-2-306, 30-2-307.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

Procedure threshold

Small-estate procedure

Tennessee's small estate procedure applies to probate personal property only: "property" excludes tenancy-by-the-entirety, joint-right-of-survivorship, beneficiary-payable, and real property interests, and "small estate" means probate property not exceeding $50,000. Limited letters are generally available after 45 days when no personal-representative petition has been filed in that period.

Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 30-4-102, 30-4-103.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

Publication and service

Notice to creditors

Within 30 days after letters testamentary or administration are issued, the Tennessee clerk gives public notice by two consecutive weekly newspaper notices in the county, or by posting written notices in three public places if no county newspaper is published. The personal representative must mail or otherwise deliver a copy of the published or posted notice to all known or reasonably ascertainable creditors unless the creditor has already filed, been paid, or released all claims.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-306.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

What changes the answer

The statewide rule is the starting point

  • Date and type of appointmentLetters, qualification, and the form of administration can change the trigger.
  • Known versus unknown creditorsPublication and direct notice may create different duties and deadlines.
  • Property included in the thresholdExempt property, real estate, and nonprobate assets may be treated differently.
  • Local court procedureForms, publication practice, hearing calendars, and closing requirements can be county-specific.

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This page reports source-linked state rules and review dates. It does not calculate a deadline, determine eligibility, select a procedure, value a claim, or apply law to an individual situation. Verify the cited authority, local procedure, and current law before relying on a rule.