--- title: "Tennessee Small Estate Affidavit: Limit, Wait, Notary | MCC" description: "Tennessee small estate affidavit: Up to $50,000; 45 days after the death; notarized; through a court office. From the state's own pages." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/small-estate-affidavit-tennessee" --- Small estates · Tennessee # Tennessee small estate affidavit The limit, how long to wait, the notary rule, where the affidavit goes, and the official form, from this state's own court and statute pages. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) **Short answer.** Up to $50,000; 45 days after the death; notarized; through a court office. ## At a glance Limit Personal property worth $50,000 or less at death; real estate isn't personal property and isn't counted. Wait after death Forty-five days after the death. Notary Sworn before a notary public or a deputy clerk. Where it goes Filed with the probate court clerk; in Davidson County, the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Official form Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority (no will). Davidson County's version; other counties publish their own. [Open it](https://circuitclerk.nashville.gov/wp-content/uploads/PC-Small-Estate-Petition-Without-Will_10.27.23_without-Order-and-Ltrs-1-1.pdf) Simplified procedure Small estate limited letters of authority. A short court process that gives limited letters for an estate within the limit. ## In the official wording **Limit** "Total value of all personal property owned by the deceased at death must be $50,000 or less." **Wait** "Forty-five (45) days must have passed since deceased's death." **Notary** "SWORN AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME" ## Get it notarized online today Online notary: open now until 9 PM ET · sessions by appointment · times confirmed by email A New Jersey notary can notarize this with you on a video call, wherever you are in the U.S. $50 for the session, $10 for each extra signer. Any other fee shows in the booking form before you confirm. Open 7 am to 9 pm ET, every day, by appointment. **What you need** - A valid government photo ID - A computer or phone with a camera - The unsigned document [Book an online session](/notary/?service=ron#order) Our certificate states the act was performed using communication technology, as New Jersey law requires. [What it must say](/notary/remote-online-notarization-certificate-wording) Most U.S. recipients accept a remotely notarized document; check with whoever will receive it. [What to ask them](/notary/will-my-online-notarization-be-accepted) · [Several signers](/notary/online-notarization-multiple-signers) ## Three example estates For a death on November 13, 2025, the stated limit gives: - **$12,500:** under the stated limit. [See why](/notary/small-estate-eligibility-checker?state=tn&value=12500&dod=2025-11-13) - **$45,000:** under the stated limit. [See why](/notary/small-estate-eligibility-checker?state=tn&value=45000&dod=2025-11-13) - **$75,000:** over the stated limit. [See why](/notary/small-estate-eligibility-checker?state=tn&value=75000&dod=2025-11-13) Your own numbers: [open the checker for this state](/notary/small-estate-eligibility-checker?state=tn). Where an affidavit has to be notarized or sworn: MCC Solutions notarizes in New Jersey, with a [mobile notary](/notary/mobile-notary) who comes to you and [remote online notarization](/notary/remote-online-notarization). Elsewhere, a local notary can help. Family far from the estate? Our [estate paperwork help](/notary/estate-paperwork-help-out-of-state) sends a local runner or notary to order records, pick up papers and get the affidavit signed, in any state. ## Official sources - [Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk (Probate): Small estate petition for limited letters of authority, estates without a will (PDF)](https://circuitclerk.nashville.gov/wp-content/uploads/PC-Small-Estate-Petition-Without-Will_10.27.23_without-Order-and-Ltrs-1-1.pdf) (checked November 2026) General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Each holder may still ask for its own form, and a lawyer can confirm whether the estate qualifies. ## Common questions **What is the small estate limit in Tennessee?** Up to $50,000. Personal property worth $50,000 or less at death; real estate isn't personal property and isn't counted. **How long after a death can the Tennessee affidavit be used?** 45 days. Forty-five days after the death. **Does a Tennessee small estate affidavit need a notary?** Yes. Sworn before a notary public or a deputy clerk. **Is it filed with a court in Tennessee?** Yes. Filed with the probate court clerk; in Davidson County, the Circuit Court Clerk's office. **Can real estate pass this way in Tennessee?** Not by this affidavit. Small estate limited letters of authority: A short court process that gives limited letters for an estate within the limit. **Is there an official Tennessee form?** Small Estate Petition for Limited Letters of Authority (no will). Davidson County's version; other counties publish their own. All states: [small estate affidavit by state](/notary/small-estate-affidavit-by-state) · [Rhode Island](/notary/small-estate-affidavit-rhode-island) · [Texas](/notary/small-estate-affidavit-texas) · [Small estate affidavit: signing and notary checks](/notary/guides/small-estate-affidavit-notary-checks) ## Need an affidavit notarized in New Jersey? [Book a mobile notary](/notary/mobile-notary)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)