Search Davidson County Probate Records

Searching Davidson County Probate Records

Probate cases are searchable through the free CaseSearch tool, the same portal used for Circuit and General Sessions-Civil cases. Select the Probate office filter and search by party name. The free version shows case existence and basic information but does not display document images. For images, the paid CaseLink subscription may show select documents, and public copies can be requested from the Probate Court Clerk.

Clerk services for probate are handled by the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 1 Public Square. A case number gives the most precise result. Without one, a full party name and a filing year help the clerk locate the file. Because probate cases can stay open for years through accountings and settlements, the filing year is a useful anchor when you search an older estate.

Probate and Seventh Circuit History

Davidson County probate has a specific local history. A private act of the 1963 legislature created a separate Probate Court of Davidson County, which opened on May 6, 1963. In 1998, that court was replaced by the Seventh Circuit Court, which kept exclusive jurisdiction over probating wills, estate administration, and the former Probate Court's other duties. That is why public users still search "probate" even though the court carries the Seventh Circuit name.

The Probate Court history page explains the 1963 creation and the 1998 restructuring.

The practical takeaway is simple. Probate work in Davidson County happens at the Probate Division, even though it sits inside the Seventh Circuit Court.

What Davidson County Probate Covers

Probate handles more than wills. The division covers the full range of estate and capacity matters. It also takes name changes, emancipation, and the correction of a birth certificate. The list below shows the main case types the Probate Division hears.

• Probate of wills and letters testamentary or administration.
• Small estate petitions, with or without a will.
• Conservatorships and guardianships.
• Name changes, emancipation, and legitimation.
• Trust matters and claims against an estate.

Davidson County Probate Filing Fees

Probate filing fees are set by a published schedule. Many petitions share the same base fee, while name changes and birth certificate corrections cost less. The amounts below are from the Probate Court fee schedule effective January 1, 2026. Confirm the current fee before filing, since the schedule is updated periodically.

The Probate Court filing fee page lists the full schedule.

Note: The fee page states that some petition categories do not accept personal checks or money orders, so confirm accepted payment before you file.

Common Davidson County Probate Terms

Probate carries its own vocabulary. A few terms come up in nearly every estate matter. The definitions below explain the ones people ask about most.

Testator

The person who made the will.

Executor

The person named in a will to settle the estate.

Intestate

Dying without a valid will, so state law decides who inherits.

Guardianship

Court-appointed authority to care for a minor.

Conservatorship

Court-appointed authority to manage the affairs of an adult with a disability.

Conservatorship and the Office of Conservatorship Management

Conservatorship gets extra oversight in Davidson County. The Office of Conservatorship Management was created after a task force reviewed how guardianships and conservatorships were handled. It reviews the care and asset management provided by conservators and educates families and the public. A conservatorship must be filed where the person with a disability lives, which means the Probate Court Clerk's office on the third floor of the Historic Courthouse for Davidson County residents.

The Office of Conservatorship Management strongly advises hiring an attorney for these cases. Social services staff also partner with the trial courts to provide home visits that assess the health, safety, and welfare of the person under a conservatorship.

How Probate Works in Davidson County

Probate follows a fairly set path, whether there is a will or not. The steps below outline the typical process from filing to closing an estate.

1. Identify the probate type: will, no will, small estate, conservatorship, or trust.
2. File the petition with the Probate Court Clerk at 1 Public Square.
3. Pay the filing fee or seek an approved waiver if available.
4. Provide required notices, consents, and waivers.
5. The court issues letters or an order if the petition is granted.
6. The representative inventories assets, handles claims, and files accountings.
7. A final accounting or settlement closes the estate.

Small Estates, Letters, and Muniment of Title

Not every estate needs a full administration. Tennessee offers a small estate process for modest estates, and the Probate Division handles those petitions with or without a will. The court can also issue letters testamentary or letters of administration, which give the personal representative the authority to act for the estate. A muniment of title petition is a lighter path used when a will mainly transfers real property and little else needs to be done.

Each of these options carries its own form and fee, so the right path depends on the size and shape of the estate. The Probate Court Clerk can point to the correct petition, though staff cannot advise which to choose. When an estate is small and uncontested, the small estate path is usually faster and cheaper than a full administration.

Restricted Probate Records

Most probate filings are public, but some matters carry limits. Records sealed by court order are closed to public inspection. Sensitive identifiers, such as Social Security numbers and financial account details, are redacted from public copies. Conservatorship files can include medical and financial information that is handled with care. When a record is sealed, a party or attorney of record may still view it with proper identification, but most others need a court order.

Where to File and Get Copies

Probate filings and copy requests go through the Probate Court Clerk, which is part of the Circuit Court Clerk's operations. The office sits in the Historic Courthouse downtown. The card below lists the contact details for probate clerk services.

Related Davidson County Searches

For marriage and divorce, see marriage and divorce records. For the clerk that handles probate filings, see the Circuit Court Clerk page, and for the full court file process, see court records.