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Bedford County, TN Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Bedford County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Bedford County Chancery Court, serving probate matters under T.C.A. § 16-16-201 through the Clerk and Master |
| Office address | 108 Northcreek Drive, Suite 155, Shelbyville, TN 37160 |
| Mailing | Call the Clerk and Master before mailing original papers. |
| Phone | (931) 684-1672 |
| Fax | (931) 680-0144 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; call before traveling to confirm the current public counter hours. |
| Counter cost | The statutory probate estate charge is $275, effective January 1, 2026 under 2025 Public Chapter 486 and T.C.A. § 8-21-401; it rises to $300 in 2027 and $325 in 2028. State and local litigation taxes and any costs deposit are added. |
| Bedford forms | Yes. Bedford County publishes local probate forms on the Chancery Court resources page. |
| Online filing | No Bedford County probate e-filing portal is published on the county Chancery Court pages. Tennessee does not have statewide trial-court e-filing. |
| Online lookup | Bedford.tncrtinfo.com publishes a Bedford County online court lookup. Ask the Clerk and Master whether the matter you need is included. |
| Remote option | No Bedford probate-specific remote practice is published. Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 55, adopted June 8, 2023, leaves remote use to the court's discretion. |
| Website | https://www.bedfordcountytn.gov/courts/chancery_court/index.php |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Bedford County, make a working list of probate assets, nonprobate transfers, known debts, the will if one exists, and the people who may need notice. That front-end work determines whether the estate settlement needs a full petition, a will admitted to probate, a real estate sale request, or another local form.
Sunset searches more than 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts, insurance, investments and other assets before papers are prepared. A cleaner asset picture makes the Bedford County estate settlement packet easier to assemble and easier for the Clerk and Master to review.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Tennessee sends an estate to the court exercising probate jurisdiction in the county where the person had legal residence at death, which is the venue rule used for small-estate filings under T.C.A. § 30-4-102. In Bedford County, probate jurisdiction remains with the Bedford County Chancery Court under T.C.A. § 16-16-201, and filings go through the Clerk and Master in Shelbyville.
The Bedford County Chancery Court is part of Tennessee's 17th Judicial District with Lincoln, Marshall and Moore counties. This page is for Bedford County estates filed in Shelbyville, not for estates that belong in one of the other 17th Judicial District counties.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the Bedford County path before drafting. If there is a will, the petition may ask to admit it and issue letters testamentary under T.C.A. § 30-1-117. If there is no will, the petition may ask for letters of administration under T.C.A. § 30-1-117. If personal property fits T.C.A. § 30-4-102, the small estate route uses the T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-103 limited-letters process.
- Use Bedford County's local probate forms when they fit the case. The Chancery Court resources page includes forms for administration, admitting a will, muniment of title under T.C.A. § 32-2-111, inventory under T.C.A. § 30-2-301, accounting and claim practice.
- File with the Bedford County Clerk and Master at 108 Northcreek Drive, Suite 155, Shelbyville. Call before mailing original documents, especially the original will, because the page does not publish separate mailing instructions.
- Pay the required counter cost. The statutory probate estate charge is $275, effective January 1, 2026 under 2025 Public Chapter 486 and T.C.A. § 8-21-401; it rises to $300 in 2027 and $325 in 2028. State and local litigation taxes and any costs deposit are added.
- Expect the Clerk and Master to review uncontested matters that can be handled under the local probate authority. Local Rule 1071 authorizes the Clerk and Master to grant letters testamentary and letters of administration under T.C.A. § 30-1-117, appoint representatives, probate wills in common form under T.C.A. § 30-1-117, and take accounts, while referring matters to the Chancellor when appropriate.
- If the matter is contested or needs a specially set hearing, follow the 17th Judicial District rules. Local Rule 1073 specially sets petitions to sell or encumber real estate, probate in solemn form under T.C.A. § 30-1-117, lost or spoliated wills, exceptions to claims and review of Clerk and Master determinations.
- Ask the Clerk and Master how the court will handle any remote request. Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 55, Rule 55, adopted June 8, 2023, says teleconferencing, video conferencing or other technology may be used at the trial court's discretion, and Bedford County does not publish a probate-specific default.
- After letters issue, administer the estate. The clerk gives notice to creditors under T.C.A. § 30-2-306, and the personal representative handles known-creditor mailings, inventory under T.C.A. § 30-2-301 unless excused, accountings, payments and distribution.
- Close the estate under the local rules. Local Rule 1075 allows closure by detailed accounting, or a sworn statement or petition in lieu of accounting, with support showing the claims period has expired, claims have been satisfied or released, and no beneficiary is under a disability.
Executor duties
Bedford County's 17th Judicial District rules add local detail to the personal representative's statewide duties. Local Rule 1074 requires inventories under T.C.A. § 30-2-301 within sixty days after letters issue unless the judge extends the deadline on written motion, supported by a preliminary inventory and a proposed new date.
The same local rule requires accountings or sworn statements or petitions in lieu of accounting within fifteen months after letters issue, and annually after that unless extended. If the estate stays open more than two years after qualification, more time requires a motion with notice to interested parties.
Local Rule 1075 describes what the Bedford County court expects at closing: a detailed accounting or sworn substitute, lawful vouchers or checks, a statement that the time for claims has expired, confirmation that claims have been satisfied or released, and confirmation that no beneficiary is under a disability.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Bedford County
Tennessee's Administrative Office of the Courts does not publish a statewide probate form set. Bedford County does publish local probate forms through the Chancery Court resources page, so Bedford County readers should start with that local page and then call the Clerk and Master if a form title does not match the case.
Bedford County's local list includes Petition for Administration, Petition to Admit Will to Probate, Petition to Admit Will to Probate Muniment of Title under T.C.A. § 32-2-111, Petition to Admit Holographic Will, Estate Inventory under T.C.A. § 30-2-301, Affidavit of Copies, waiver forms for service as executor or administrator, accounting forms, witness affidavits to prove a will, Verified Claim Against Estate and Receipt and Waiver.
The Bedford County page still uses the title Small Estate Affidavit for one local form. Current statewide law uses a petition for limited letters under T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-103, so treat the local title as Bedford County's published label and ask the Clerk and Master how the office wants that filing presented.
Fees
The current statutory probate estate charge is $275, effective January 1, 2026 under 2025 Public Chapter 486 and T.C.A. § 8-21-401. The same public chapter raises that statutory charge to $300 in 2027 and $325 in 2028. State and local litigation taxes and any costs deposit are added, so the amount paid at the Bedford County counter can be higher than the statutory charge.
Bedford County's Chancery Court also publishes a dated local schedule captioned Filing Fees/Court Costs Effective September 1, 2017. Because that schedule predates 2025 Public Chapter 486 and the January 1, 2026 statutory change, use it as Bedford County's last-published schedule, not as the current base statutory amount.
The 2017 Bedford County schedule lists $454.50 effective September 1, 2017 for estates except small estates under T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-103, with one certified letters of administration provided under T.C.A. § 30-1-117. It also lists $155.50 effective September 1, 2017 for the locally titled small-estate form under T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-103, a dated 2017 amount for muniment of title under T.C.A. § 32-2-111, a Shelbyville Times Gazette publication add-on of $110.00 effective September 1, 2017 for notice to creditors under T.C.A. § 30-2-306, copies at $0.50 per page effective September 1, 2017 under T.C.A. § 8-21-401, and certification and seal at $5.00 effective September 1, 2017 under T.C.A. § 8-21-401.
Timeline
- For ordinary Bedford County Chancery Court scheduling, the 17th Judicial District rules say the Chancellor's regular day in Bedford County is generally each Friday.
- The same rules say regular sessions of Chancery Court are held in Bedford County on the third Monday of November, and the court calls the docket of Chancery, Probate and Adoption matters at the opening of regular sessions.
- For specially set matters, Local Rule 1073 applies to petitions to sell or encumber real estate, probate in solemn form under T.C.A. § 30-1-117, lost or spoliated wills, exceptions to claims and review of Clerk and Master reports or determinations.
- Local Rule 1073 provides that the judge sets a specific hearing day and time for those matters, with at least five days' notice by the Clerk and Master to the personal representative or, when the personal representative is the petitioner, to all beneficiaries.
Local nuance
Bedford County-specific considerations
Bedford County has unusually detailed local probate rules for a smaller Tennessee county. Rule 1070 lists the information expected in a sworn petition, including the petitioner's address, the decedent's death and residence facts, will exhibits, heirs or beneficiaries, minor or disabled beneficiaries, bond information, inventory and accounting waiver status, and any relevant waiver or renunciation.
Rule 1071 is the key local probate authority. It expressly authorizes the Clerk and Master in Bedford County to act under T.C.A. § 16-16-201(b) on letters testamentary and letters of administration under T.C.A. § 30-1-117, appointments, common form probate under T.C.A. § 30-1-117, and accounts, while preserving the Clerk and Master's ability to refer a matter to the Chancellor.
Rule 1072 also gives the estate's attorney a local role in keeping the estate settlement moving. An attorney who files the probate petition or represents the estate or personal representative must cooperate with and encourage proper and punctual management, administration, distribution and closing of the estate.
Recent updates
| Change | Why it matters in Bedford County |
|---|---|
| State statutory probate estate charge changed on January 1, 2026 | 2025 Public Chapter 486 sets the statutory probate estate charge at $275 effective January 1, 2026 under T.C.A. § 8-21-401, rising to $300 in 2027 and $325 in 2028. Bedford County's posted 2017 schedule predates that change. |
| Bedford County still publishes 17th Judicial District local rules dated March 6, 2017 | Those rules supply the local Bedford County details for petition contents, Clerk and Master probate authority under T.C.A. § 16-16-201, specially set probate hearings and estate closing practice. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Bedford County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by separating probate assets from property that may pass outside probate. If a probate filing is still needed, the Bedford County Clerk and Master can review the will or administration petition, and real-estate sale or title issues may need a specially set hearing under Local Rule 1073. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts and ownership details so the estate settlement focuses only on property that actually needs court authority. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the property is personal property within T.C.A. § 30-4-102, the Bedford County filing may use the T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-103 limited-letters route. Call the Clerk and Master before traveling because the county form title still uses older local wording. | Sunset helps collect institution information and generate a packet you can review with Bedford County's local form list before contacting the Clerk and Master. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale typically moves beyond counter processing. Bedford County Local Rule 1073 treats petitions to sell or encumber real estate as specially set matters, so expect a hearing date from the court rather than an immediate same-day estate settlement. | Sunset helps organize assets, debts, heirs, documents and attorney referral needs before a petition to sell real estate is prepared. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How to use it | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford County Clerk and Master | Use the county Chancery Court page for the probate office address, phone, fax and local forms. Call (931) 684-1672 for Bedford County filing logistics. | Court staff cannot give legal advice or tell you how to present your case. |
| Tennessee Judiciary self-help center | The statewide self-help center points estate and probate readers to the clerk in their own county. | The Judiciary states that court employees may not engage in the practice of law under T.C.A. § 16-3-804(b). |
| Tennessee court clerks list | Use the statewide clerks list if you need to confirm which county office to contact before starting a probate filing. | It is a directory, not a substitute for Bedford County's local forms and rules. |
| Justice for All Tennessee | Use the site as a statewide access-to-justice starting point when you need general help finding legal information. | Check any probate-specific question with the Bedford County Clerk and Master or a Tennessee probate attorney. |
When to hire an attorney
Counsel is especially useful in Bedford County when the estate involves a contested will, probate in solemn form under T.C.A. § 30-1-117, a petition to sell real estate, a lost or spoliated will, exceptions to claims, a disabled beneficiary, an insolvent estate, or accounting problems under the 17th Judicial District rules. Sunset connects the reader to a vetted probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families locate bank accounts, insurance, investments and other assets that may belong in the estate settlement before a Bedford County petition is filed.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information you provide into an organized probate packet that can be compared against Bedford County's local Chancery Court forms and 17th Judicial District requirements.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Bedford County matter needs court strategy, a real estate sale, contested probate, or help with accounting and closing, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Tennessee probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement, understand the local filing path and prepare for the next conversation with the Clerk and Master or counsel.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Bedford County?
File with the Bedford County Chancery Court through the Clerk and Master at 108 Northcreek Drive, Suite 155, Shelbyville, TN 37160. Bedford County probate jurisdiction is handled in chancery under T.C.A. § 16-16-201, and Tennessee's venue rule sends the estate to the county of the decedent's legal residence at death under T.C.A. § 30-4-102.
Is Bedford County probate handled in Shelbyville?
Yes. The Bedford County Chancery Court office for probate filings is in Shelbyville. The court is part of the 17th Judicial District with Lincoln, Marshall and Moore counties, but a Bedford County estate is filed through the Bedford County Clerk and Master.
Can I use e-filing for a Bedford County probate case?
Bedford County does not publish a probate e-filing portal on the county Chancery Court pages. Tennessee does not have statewide trial-court e-filing, so call the Clerk and Master before assuming any online filing option exists.
How do I look up a Bedford County probate case online?
Bedford County publishes an online court lookup at bedford.tncrtinfo.com. The page allows searches by court type and case type, but you should ask the Clerk and Master whether the probate matter you need is included.
What does Bedford County charge to start probate?
The statutory probate estate charge is $275, effective January 1, 2026 under 2025 Public Chapter 486 and T.C.A. § 8-21-401; it rises to $300 in 2027 and $325 in 2028. State and local litigation taxes and any costs deposit are added. Bedford County's posted local schedule is dated September 1, 2017, so call the Clerk and Master for the current counter total.
Does Bedford County publish local probate forms?
Yes. Bedford County's Chancery Court resources page publishes local forms for administration, admitting a will, muniment of title under T.C.A. § 32-2-111, estate inventory under T.C.A. § 30-2-301, accounting, claims and waivers. One locally titled small-estate form still uses older wording, while current statewide law uses the T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-103 limited-letters process.
When are Bedford County probate hearings scheduled?
The 17th Judicial District rules say the Chancellor's regular day in Bedford County is generally each Friday, with regular Chancery Court sessions in Bedford County on the third Monday of November. Special probate matters, including probate in solemn form under T.C.A. § 30-1-117 and petitions to sell real estate, are set by the judge under Local Rule 1073.
Can I participate by phone or video in Bedford County probate?
No Bedford probate-specific remote practice is published. Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 55, Rule 55, adopted June 8, 2023, allows teleconferencing, video conferencing or other technology at the trial court's discretion, so ask the Clerk and Master how the court wants a remote request handled.
Do I have to travel to Shelbyville for a Bedford County estate?
Plan for the original papers to reach the Clerk and Master in Shelbyville, especially if an original will is involved. Before traveling, call (931) 684-1672 to ask whether your specific filing step can be handled by mail, by counsel, or through a scheduled court setting.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.