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Hancock County, TN Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Hancock County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Hancock County Chancery Court, with probate handled through the Clerk and Master's Office under T.C.A. § 16-16-201 |
| Filing office | Clerk and Master |
| Courthouse address | 1237 Main Street, Suite 104, Sneedville, TN 37869 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 347, Sneedville, TN 37869 |
| Phone | (423) 733-4524 |
| Fax | (423) 733-2762 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday. No lunch closure is listed on the office page. |
| Cost to open a probate estate | Hancock County's local probate-cost sheet lists probate, muniment of title under T.C.A. § 32-2-111 and matters under T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-105 at $330.75, effective January 1, 2026. The statewide clerk's fee is $275, effective January 1, 2026 under 2025 Public Chapter 486, with state and local litigation tax under T.C.A. § 8-21-401 and other charges added on top. |
| Local forms | Yes. The Clerk and Master posts local estate-claim materials, TennCare release materials under T.C.A. § 71-5-116, a Uniform Affidavit of Indigency for a pauper's oath under Tenn. Sup. Ct. Rule 29, a Uniform Facsimile Cover Sheet, fax rules, electronic filing rules and probate cost sheets. |
| Electronic filing | Available through TnCIS and Tybera under Hancock County Chancery Court electronic filing rules effective October 2021. Electronic filing is strongly encouraged, not stated as mandatory, and registration is required. |
| Case lookup | The clerk does not publish a remote online case-search portal for Hancock County estate files. The local electronic filing rules identify a public-access terminal in the Clerk and Master's Office for in-office public access during business hours. |
| Remote proceedings | Tenn. Sup. Ct. Rule 55, adopted by order filed June 8, 2023, leaves teleconferencing, video conferencing and other remote court business to the trial court's discretion. Ask the Clerk and Master how the Hancock County Chancery Court handles a specific hearing. |
| Website | https://www.hancockcountytn.com/local_public_service_directory/clerk_and_master.php |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Hancock County, identify the assets, debts, real estate, beneficiary designations and likely creditors. The right estate settlement path depends on what is actually in the probate estate, whether there is a will and whether the personal representative needs letters testamentary or letters of administration under T.C.A. § 30-1-117.
Sunset starts estate settlement by searching for accounts and assets across 2,300 institutions, then helps organize what belongs in the Hancock County probate packet and what may pass outside probate.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Hancock County estate papers are filed at the Clerk and Master's Office in Sneedville. Tennessee law sends the estate to the court that exercises probate in the county where the person lived at death, using the venue definition in T.C.A. § 30-4-102. In counties where no public, private, special or local act provides otherwise, probate jurisdiction is in chancery court under T.C.A. § 16-16-201.
For Hancock County, the CTAS private-acts compendium has no probate exception, and the Clerk and Master's own page says the office handles case files for the Chancery and Probate Courts, including estate distributions. Practically, file Hancock County probate matters with the Clerk and Master for the Hancock County Chancery Court.
The jurisdiction process
- Decide whether the estate needs a full probate administration, a petition for limited letters under T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-105, or another Tennessee route. If there is a will, keep the original safe because the court will need it.
- Prepare the petition and local Hancock County materials. Tennessee uses letters testamentary when there is a will and letters of administration when there is no will, under T.C.A. § 30-1-117.
- File with the Hancock County Clerk and Master at 1237 Main Street, Suite 104, Sneedville, TN 37869, or use the court's electronic filing system if you are registered and the Clerk and Master has not excluded that filing type.
- Pay the required cost. Hancock County lists probate, muniment of title under T.C.A. § 32-2-111 and matters under T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-105 at $330.75, effective January 1, 2026. The statewide clerk's fee is $275, effective January 1, 2026 under 2025 Public Chapter 486, with litigation tax under T.C.A. § 8-21-401 and other charges added on top.
- If a hearing is needed, coordinate with the Clerk and Master. The Hancock County page links to 2026 docket dates and says cases over eight hours, multi-day cases, special settings and jury trials must be scheduled through the Chancellor's office.
- Ask about remote participation before the hearing. Tenn. Sup. Ct. Rule 55, adopted June 8, 2023, makes video conferencing and teleconferencing permissible only at the trial court's discretion.
- After the petition is accepted and the court grants authority, obtain letters testamentary or letters of administration under T.C.A. § 30-1-117 from the Clerk and Master. Banks, title companies and other institutions usually ask for the letters before they will work with the personal representative.
- Administer the estate. The clerk gives notice to creditors under T.C.A. § 30-2-306, and the personal representative handles known-creditor notice, the inventory under T.C.A. § 30-2-301 unless excused, TennCare notice under T.C.A. § 71-5-116, distributions and closing papers.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Hancock County
Tennessee's Administrative Office of the Courts does not publish a statewide probate form set. Its Self-Help Center says most probate and estate matters are handled by the Clerk and Master in your county, and Hancock County is one of the counties where that local office publishes useful probate materials.
The Hancock County Clerk and Master posts local forms and rules that matter for estate settlement, including a Claims Against Estate Form, a TennCare Release Form tied to the TennCare duty under T.C.A. § 71-5-116, a Uniform Affidavit of Indigency for a pauper's oath under Tenn. Sup. Ct. Rule 29, a Uniform Facsimile Cover Sheet, fax filing rules, electronic filing rules and probate cost sheets effective January 1, 2026. Use the local page first, then call the Clerk and Master if you are unsure which documents fit your estate.
Fees
The clerk's fee for a probate estate is set by state statute at $275, effective January 1, 2026 under 2025 Public Chapter 486. It rises to $300 in 2027 and $325 in 2028. State and local litigation tax under T.C.A. § 8-21-401 and any local costs are charged on top, which is why Hancock County's counter total is higher than the statutory clerk's fee.
| Hancock County charge | Amount, effective January 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Probate | $330.75 |
| Muniment of title under T.C.A. § 32-2-111 | $330.75 |
| Matter under T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-105 | $330.75 |
| Extra letters testamentary under T.C.A. § 30-1-117 | $10.00 |
| Secretary of State as agent for service of process | $10.00 |
| Notice to creditors under T.C.A. § 30-2-306 | $120.00 |
| Estate claims under T.C.A. § 30-2-307 | $50.00 |
| Exception to claim | $100.00 |
| Petition or motion on an existing case | $25.00 |
| Order on an existing case | $20.00 |
| Other probate document | $25.00 |
| Issued summons, writ, citation or notice | $10.00 |
| Probate reopen petition and order | $75.00 |
Timeline
- Check the Hancock County Clerk and Master's posted docket-dates link before planning a court trip. The page points readers to Hancock County Court Docket Dates 2026, but individual estate settings should still be checked with the office.
- For routine filings, use the Clerk and Master's normal hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- For any case expected to take more than eight hours, any multi-day case, any special setting or any jury trial, the Hancock County page says scheduling must go through the Chancellor's office.
- If you need to participate from outside Sneedville, ask early. Tenn. Sup. Ct. Rule 55, adopted June 8, 2023, allows remote technology only at the trial court's discretion.
Local nuance
Hancock County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Hancock County estate |
|---|---|
| Chancery forum with active probate materials | Hancock County follows the chancery default in T.C.A. § 16-16-201. The Clerk and Master's page expressly includes estate distributions among the matters handled by the office. |
| Electronic filing rules | Hancock County Chancery Court has local electronic filing rules effective October 2021 through TnCIS and Tybera. Electronic filing is strongly encouraged but not stated as mandatory, and a traditional filing remains available unless the court directs otherwise. |
| Public-access terminal | The electronic filing rules say the Clerk and Master's Office has a public-access terminal during business hours. That is not the same as a remote online case-search portal. |
| Third Judicial District scheduling | The local page identifies the 3rd Judicial District as covering Hawkins, Greene, Hamblen and Hancock counties. Hancock County directs long hearings, multi-day settings, special settings and jury trials through the Chancellor's office. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Probate fee schedule effective January 1, 2026 | Hancock County posts probate-cost sheets effective January 1, 2026. They list probate, muniment of title under T.C.A. § 32-2-111 and matters under T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-105 at $330.75, effective January 1, 2026. |
| Statewide clerk's fee effective January 1, 2026 | 2025 Public Chapter 486 sets the probate-estate clerk's fee at $275 effective January 1, 2026, with increases to $300 in 2027 and $325 in 2028, before litigation tax under T.C.A. § 8-21-401 and other local charges. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Hancock County path | How Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by identifying how the home is titled and whether any probate asset still needs Hancock County Chancery Court authority. If the spouse needs authority for accounts or other probate property, the petition goes to the Clerk and Master in Sneedville. | Sunset helps separate probate assets from non-probate transfers, organize the account list and prepare the estate settlement packet for the local filing office. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the estate fits the Tennessee procedure under T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-105, the child may need a petition for limited letters under T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-105 in Hancock County. The local cost sheet lists this category at $330.75, effective January 1, 2026. | Sunset helps collect asset information, flag debts and organize documents before the adult child contacts the Clerk and Master about filing, electronic filing and any required appearance. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually requires careful title review and may require full probate authority in Hancock County. The personal representative will likely need letters of administration or letters testamentary under T.C.A. § 30-1-117 before working with buyers, lenders or a title company. | Sunset helps build the asset list, gather institution information and connect the parent with a Tennessee probate attorney for sale-related court work. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link or contact |
|---|---|---|
| Hancock County Clerk and Master | The local filing office for Hancock County estate settlement in chancery court. The office can provide access to its public forms, cost sheets, fax rules and electronic filing rules, but court staff cannot choose forms for you or give legal advice. | 1237 Main Street, Suite 104, Sneedville, TN 37869; (423) 733-4524; https://www.hancockcountytn.com/local_public_service_directory/clerk_and_master.php |
| Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts Self-Help Center | The AOC Self-Help Center says most probate and estate matters are handled by the Clerk and Master in your county. It also warns that state court employees cannot engage in the practice of law under T.C.A. § 16-3-804. | https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/self-help-center |
| Tennessee court clerks directory | Use the AOC clerks list if you need to check the filing office for another Tennessee county before deciding where an estate belongs. | https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-clerks/clerks-list |
| Justice for All | The Tennessee judiciary links to Justice for All as a statewide access-to-justice resource. | https://justiceforalltn.com |
When to hire an attorney
Consider talking with a Tennessee probate attorney if the estate includes real property, a disputed will, creditor disputes, TennCare questions under T.C.A. § 71-5-116, missing heirs, a business, a planned home sale or uncertainty about whether the Hancock County Chancery Court filing should be full administration or a petition under T.C.A. §§ 30-4-101 to 30-4-105. Sunset connects you to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families build a clearer inventory of accounts, property and debts before they file in Hancock County, so the first estate settlement decision is based on the actual assets.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for the Hancock County Clerk and Master, including the will status, heirs, creditors, asset list and documents commonly needed for letters testamentary or letters of administration under T.C.A. § 30-1-117.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Hancock County estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Tennessee probate attorney who understands chancery filings and local court practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families use Sunset at no cost to move from uncertainty to an organized estate settlement plan.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Hancock County?
File Hancock County probate matters with the Clerk and Master for the Hancock County Chancery Court at 1237 Main Street, Suite 104, Sneedville, TN 37869. Hancock County follows the chancery default under T.C.A. § 16-16-201, and Tennessee's venue definition sends the estate to the county where the person lived at death under T.C.A. § 30-4-102.
What does it cost to open a Hancock County probate estate?
Hancock County's probate-cost sheet lists probate at $330.75, effective January 1, 2026. The statewide clerk's fee is $275, effective January 1, 2026 under 2025 Public Chapter 486, with litigation tax under T.C.A. § 8-21-401 and other local charges added on top.
Does Hancock County have local probate forms?
Yes. The Clerk and Master posts estate-claim materials, TennCare materials under T.C.A. § 71-5-116, fax filing materials, electronic filing rules and a Uniform Affidavit of Indigency for a pauper's oath under Tenn. Sup. Ct. Rule 29. Tennessee's Administrative Office of the Courts does not publish a statewide probate form set.
Does Hancock County allow electronic filing for estate cases?
Hancock County Chancery Court has local electronic filing rules effective October 2021 through TnCIS and Tybera. The rules strongly encourage electronic filing, but they do not state that it is mandatory, and they reserve power for the court or clerk to exclude certain documents or case types.
Can I look up a Hancock County probate case online?
The Clerk and Master does not publish a remote online case-search portal for Hancock County estate files. The local electronic filing rules identify a public-access terminal in the Clerk and Master's Office for in-office public access during business hours.
Can I attend a Hancock County probate hearing remotely?
Ask the Clerk and Master before the hearing. Tenn. Sup. Ct. Rule 55, adopted by order filed June 8, 2023, says teleconferencing, video conferencing and other technology for remote proceedings are permissible at the discretion of the trial court. It does not create a statewide right to appear remotely.
What authority document will banks ask for in Hancock County?
Tennessee uses letters testamentary when there is a will and letters of administration when there is no will, under T.C.A. § 30-1-117. In Hancock County, the Clerk and Master issues the letters after the court grants the petition.
Do I have to travel to Sneedville to file?
Not always. Hancock County has electronic filing rules effective October 2021, and fax filing materials are posted by the Clerk and Master. Because the rules allow the court or clerk to exclude certain documents or case types, call the Clerk and Master before relying on electronic or fax filing for a specific estate settlement filing.
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.