In Tennessee, when a person cannot care for themselves or their property, the probate court will appoint a "conservator" or "guardian" to make decisions on their behalf. The appointed individual, also known as a fiduciary, may be required to obtain a surety bond as outlined in Title 34 of the Tennessee Code. The surety bond safeguards the interests of the protected person and their estate from any financial harm caused by the actions of the conservator or guardian.
Have any questions? Give us a call at (855) 470-0877 and speak to a live Tennessee probate bond expert.
The probate court judge overseeing your case will set the required bond amount when they enter an order appointing you as fiduciary. The judge will only require a bond if the fiduciary manages the protected person’s property. Generally, the bond's value must adequately safeguard the protected person, their estate's assets, and all relevant parties.
Tennessee Code 34-1-105 dictates that conservators and guardians must furnish a bond equal to the fair market value of the minor/adult’s personal property plus the expected income the estate will generate over the next year. The court may also increase or decrease the bond amount to reflect any change in the estate’s value.
Jet charges a base price of $150 per year for the Tennessee Conservator/Guardian Bond, with the specific cost varying depending on the bond amount. See the chart below to calculate the price for larger bonds. In Tennessee, conservators and guardians can pay the bond premium from estate funds according to TN Code 34-1-113.
To determine how much the bond will cost, conservators and guardians can follow the steps listed below:
After ruling that a conservatorship/guardianship is needed, the probate court judge will enter an order of appointment naming the fiduciary and setting their required bond amount.
Guardian and conservator bonds up to $20,000 in size cost $150 per year. For each additional $1,000 increase, the bond premium will increase by the corresponding amount outlined in the table below.
Bond Amount | Additional Premium (per $1,000) | Bond Cost (1 year) |
---|---|---|
$0 - $20,000 | $150 flat rate | $150 |
$20,001 - $60,000 | $6.00 | $150 - $390 |
$60,001 - $200,000 | $5.00 | $390 - $1,090 |
$200,001 - $500,000 | $3.75 | $1,090 - $2,215 |
$500,001 - $1,500,000 | $2.50 | $2,215 - $4,715 |
$1,500,000+ | $1.00 | $4,715+ |
We provide discounted tiered pricing that reduces the percentage rate for larger bond amounts. Applicants can also save money by purchasing bonds for multiple years in advance. Apply online in minutes or call one of our probate bond experts at (855) 470-0877 to determine how much your bond will cost.
In Tennessee, guardians are appointed over minors exclusively and must provide care and/or make financial decisions on the minor’s behalf. In contrast, conservators are appointed over adults who are declared disabled by the court and will be in charge of managing the adult's health and/or finances. Title 34 of the Tennessee Code sets forth the responsibilities and duties of each fiduciary type. Below are descriptions of each position, along with their corresponding bond requirements:
When a conservator or guardian is appointed to manage a protected person’s estate, the probate courts in Tennessee will require a surety bond according to Tennessee Code 34-1-105. The bond safeguards the interests and well-being of the protected person’s estate and serves as a form of insurance that guarantees the responsible and ethical behavior of the fiduciary.
By requiring a bond, the court can help mitigate loss from mismanagement or misuse of the estate's property by the fiduciary and can help ensure they act in accordance with Title 34 of the Tennessee Code. The bond can also compensate the protected person’s estate for any losses incurred due to the actions of the conservator or guardian.
The court may waive the surety bond requirement in the following situations:
Conservators and guardians that do not wish to purchase a surety bond can request to submit a pledge of property equal in value to 150% of the bond amount.
The probate court will always appoint the person who best serves the protected person's interests. Any interested party may petition the court to appoint a conservator or guardian over another individual. The order of appointment for conservators in Tennessee is as follows:
The probate court will follow a similar procedure when choosing who to appoint as guardian, and the order of appointment is as follows:
In all cases, the court will consider the preferred nominee made by the respondent and appoint the person who will serve the respondent's best interests.
Jet’s application process is simple and fast - our goal is to get the fiduciary bonded as quickly as possible so they can focus on their obligations. All we need is the bond amount and basic information about the estate.
Once completed and submitted, you will receive your purchase price immediately or a Jet underwriter will review the application. Some of the factors Jet considers when underwriting these types of bonds:
Applicants for bond limits over $50,000 will need to submit documentation from the court for review, specifically their application for appointment as fiduciary and the order from the court requiring the bond.
When you purchase the surety bond, you will immediately receive a digital version of your bond with a receipt. Afterward, Jet will complete the bond form, attach our raised seal, and mail it to you. You simply need to sign the form and deliver it to the probate court overseeing your case.
Jet has provided a chart at the bottom of the page with a list of all probate court locations in the State of Tennessee and any available contact information for their offices.
At Jet, we like to make things easy for our customers, and cancellation of your bond is no exception.
To cancel your bond, send us an email at [email protected] or give us a call. When we receive your request, we’ll contact the probate court to request a release. If the court accepts the request, we will cancel your bond and send you a refund for any unearned premium. We will refund any unearned premium charged after the first year of the bond on a prorated basis.
In Tennessee, the probate court requires that the bond remain on record throughout the fiduciary's entire appointment period, which spans until the adult is no longer in need of a conservator or the minor turns 18 years old. Until that point, the court requires that the bond remains active.
A guardian or conservator can file a petition to the court to terminate the fiduciary relationship, and the court will grant the petition if they find no basis for the appointment. Once the judge approves the petition, the fiduciary must submit a final accounting within 60-120 days. Afterward, the court will release the guardian or conservator from liability, and Jet will cancel the bond.
As for renewing your bond, Jet sends a renewal invoice by email and mail before the bond term’s expiration date. As long as you make your renewal payment, the bond will remain active with the probate court.
The probate court expects the guardian or conservator to fulfill all duties and obligations under Title 34 of the Tennessee Code. Failing to meet these requirements or not adhering to all court orders can result in a bond claim. Some common violations that may lead to a bond claim include the following:
Here are some violations that may lead to bond claims on the Tennessee Guardian Bond:
Any person with proven damages caused by the actions of the guardian or conservator may file a claim against the bond, including the protected person, creditors to the estate, or the protected person's legal representation.
Upon receiving court notice of a claim on the bond, Jet has 30 days to pay the claim or ask for additional time to review it. Jet works tirelessly to protect fiduciaries against faulty claims. Even if the court has requested a bond payout, we assess all documentation provided by the court and the conservator before paying out the claim. However, as a fiduciary and indemnitor, you will ultimately be required to reimburse Jet Insurance Company for the full claim payout.
Below is a list of all the county courts located in the State of Tennessee, as well as their addresses and contact information.
County Courthouse | Phone | Mailing Address | |
---|---|---|---|
Anderson County | (865) 457-6205 | 100 North Main Street, Suite 308 Clinton, TN 37716 | [email protected] |
Bedford County | (931) 684-1672 | 108 Northcreek Drive, Suite 155 Shelbyville, TN 37160 | |
Benton County | (731) 584-4435 | 1 Court Square, Room 206 Camden, TN 38320 | |
Bledsoe County | (423) 939-0922 | P. O. Box 2198 Jasper, TN 37398 | |
Blount County | (865) 273-5500 | 930 E Lamar Alexander Parkway Maryville, TN 37804 | |
Bradley County | (423) 728-7209 | 155 N Ocoee Street, Room 203 Cleveland, TN 37311 | [email protected] |
Campbell County | (423) 562-3496 | 570 Main Street, Suite 110 Jacksboro, TN 37757 | [email protected] |
Cannon County | (615) 563-5936 | 200 West Main Street Woodbury, TN 37190 | |
Carroll County | (731) 986-1932 | 99 Court Square #103 Huntingdon, TN 38344 | |
Carter County | (423) 542-1812 | 801 East Elk Avenue Elizabethton, TN 37643 | [email protected] |
Cheatham County | (615) 792-4620 | 100 Public Square, Suite 106 Ashland City, TN 37015 | |
Chester County | (731) 989-7171 | 333 Eric Bell Drive, Suite C Henderson, TN 38340 | |
Claiborne County | (423) 626-3284 | 1740 Main St. #201 Tazewell, TN 37879 | |
Clay County | (931) 243-3145 | 100 Courthouse Square Celina, TN 38551 | [email protected] |
Cocke County | (423) 623-3321 | 360 East Main Street Suite 103, Courthouse Annex Newport, TN 37821 | [email protected] |
Coffee County | (931) 723-5132 | 300 Hillsboro Blvd., Box 8 Manchester, TN 37355 | [email protected] |
Crockett County | (731) 696-5458 | One South Bell Street, Suite 5 Alamo, TN 38001 | [email protected] |
Cumberland County | (931) 484-4731 | 60 Justice Center Dr., Suite 226 Crossville, TN 38555 | [email protected] |
Davidson County | (615) 862-5980 | 1 Public Square, Suite 302 Nashville, TN 37201 | [email protected] |
Decatur County | (731) 852-3422 | 22 West Main Street Decaturville, TN 38329 | [email protected] |
DeKalb County | (615) 597-4360 | One Public Square, Room 302 Smithville, TN 37166 | [email protected] |
Dickson County | (615) 789-7011 | 500 Spring Street Charlotte, TN 37036 | [email protected] |
Dyer County | (731) 286-7818 | Dyer County Courthouse, Rm. 201 Dyersburg, TN 38024 | [email protected] |
Fayette County | (901) 465-5219 | 16755 Highway 64, Suite 210 Somerville, TN 38068 | [email protected] |
Fentress County | (931) 879-8615 | 140 Justice Center Drive, Suite 110 Jamestown, TN 38556 | [email protected] |
Franklin County | (931) 967-2843 | 440 George Fraley Parkway, Box 4 Winchester, TN 37398 | [email protected] |
Gibson County | (731) 855-7639 | 204 N Courtsquare Trenton, TN 38382 | [email protected] |
Giles County | (931) 363-2620 | 1 Public Square Pulaski, TN 38478 | [email protected] |
Grainger County | (865) 828-4436 | 270 Justice Center Drive Ste. 107 Rutledge, TN 37861 | [email protected] |
Greene County | (423) 798-1742 | 101 South Main Street Greenville, TN 37743 | clerk&[email protected] |
Grundy County | 602-506-3668 | 68 Cumberland Street, Suite 200 Altamont, TN 37301 | [email protected] |
Hamblen County | (423) 586-9112 | 511 West Second North Street Morristown, TN 37814 | [email protected] |
Hamilton County | (423) 209-6600 | 300 Courthouse 625 Georgia Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37402 | [email protected] |
Hancock County | (423) 733-4524 | 1237 Main Street, Suite 104 Sneedville, TN 37869 | [email protected] |
Hardeman County | (731) 658-3142 | PO Box 45 Bolivar, TN 38008 | [email protected] |
Hardin County | (731) 925-8166 | 465 Main Street Savannah, TN 38372 | [email protected] |
Hawkins County | (423) 272-8150 | 100 E. Main Street, Suite 316 Rogersville, TN 37857 | [email protected] |
Haywood County | (731) 772-0122 | 100 South Dupree Avenue Brownsville, TN 38012 | [email protected] |
Henderson County | (731) 968-2801 | 17 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Room 2 Lexington, TN 38351 | [email protected] |
Henry County | (731) 642-4234 | PO Box 313 Paris, TN 38242 | [email protected] |
Hickman County | (931) 729-2522 | 104 College Avenue, Suite 202 Centerville, TN 37033 | [email protected] |
Houston County | 602-506-3668 | 4725 East Main Street Erin, TN 37061 | [email protected] |
Humphreys County | (931) 296-2558 | 100 North Court Square Waverly, TN 37185 | [email protected] |
Jackson County | (931) 268-9516 | 101 East Hull Avenue Gainesboro, TN 38562 | [email protected] |
Jefferson County | (865) 397-2404 | 202 W. Main St. Dandridge, TN 37725 | [email protected] |
Johnson County | (423) 727-7853 | 202 West Main Street Mountain City, TN 37683 | [email protected] |
Knox County | (865) 215-2389 | 400 Main Street, 3rd Floor, City-County Building, Suite 352 Knoxville, TN 37902 | [email protected] |
Lake County | (731) 253-8926 | 229 Church Street, Box 12 Tiptonville, TN 38079 | [email protected] |
Lauderdale County | (731) 635-1941 | Courthouse, 100 Court Square Ripley, TN 38063 | [email protected] |
Lawrence County | (931) 766-4182 | 240 W. Gaines St., NBU #13 Lawrenceburg, TN 38464 | [email protected] |
Lewis County | (931) 796-3734 | 29 W Main Street Hohenwald, TN 38462 | [email protected] |
Lincoln County | (931) 433-1482 | 112 Main Avenue South Room B-109 Fayetteville, TN 37334 | [email protected] |
Loudon County | (865) 986-3505 | 12680 Highway 11 West, Suite 3 Lenoir City, TN 37771 | [email protected] |
Macon County | (615) 666-2000 | 906 Highway 52 Bypass East LaFayette, TN 37083 | [email protected] |
Madison County | (731) 423-6032 | Courthouse, Room 200, 100 East Main Street Jackson, TN 38301 | [email protected] |
Marion County | (423) 942-2601 | 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 203 Jasper, TN 37347 | [email protected] |
Marshall County | (931) 359-2181 | 201 Marshall County Courthouse Lewisburg, TN 37091 | [email protected] |
Maury County | (931) 375-1307 | 41 Public Square Columbia, TN 38401 | [email protected] |
McMinn County | (423) 745-1281 | 6 East Madison Ave Athens, TN 37303 | [email protected] |
McNairy County | (731) 645-5446 | 170 West Court Ave. Room 205 Selmer, TN 38375 | [email protected] |
Meigs County | (423) 334-5243 | Meigs County Courthouse, Suite 206, 17214 TN-58 Decatur, TN 37322 | [email protected] |
Monroe County | (423) 442-2644 | 105 College Street, Suite # 2 Madisonville, TN 37354 | [email protected] |
Montgomery County | (931) 648-5703 | 2 Millennium Plaza Suite 101 Clarksville, TN 37040 | [email protected] |
Moore County | (931) 759-7028 | 196 Main Street, Suite 312 Lynchburg, TN 37352 | [email protected] |
Morgan County | (423) 346-3881 | 415 North Kingston Street, Room 104 Wartburg, TN 37887 | [email protected] |
Obion County | (731) 507-0999 | 6, Bill Burnett Circle Union City, TN 38281 | [email protected] |
Overton County | (931) 823-2536 | 100 E. Court Sq., Ste. 100 Livingston, TN 38570 | [email protected] |
Perry County | (931) 589-2217 | 121 Main St Linden, TN 37096 | [email protected] |
Pickett County | (931) 864-3359 | 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 203 Byrdstown, TN 385479 | [email protected] |
Polk County | (423) 338-4522 | 161 Industrial Access Circle, Room 110 Benton, TN 37307 | [email protected] |
Putnam County | (931) 526-6321 | 421 E. Spring St., Suite 1C38 Cookeville, TN 38501 | [email protected] |
Rhea County | (423) 775-7806 | 7824 Rhea Co. Hwy Dayton, TN 37321 | [email protected] |
Roane County | (865) 376-2487 | 200 East Race Street, Suite 12 Kingston, TN 37763 | [email protected] |
Robertson County | (615) 384-5650 | 501 South Main Street, Room 103 Springfield, TN 37172 | [email protected] |
Rutherford County | (615) 898-7860 | 116 W. Lytle St., Suite 5101 Murfreesboro, TN 37130 | [email protected] |
Scott County | (423) 663-2627 | 575 Scott High Drive, Suite C Huntsville, TN 37756 | [email protected] |
Sequatchie County | (423) 949-3670 | 22 Cherry Street, 2nd Floor Dunlap, TN 37327 | [email protected] |
Sevier County | (865) 453-5502 | 125 Court Ave, Suite 202E Sevierville, TN 37862 | [email protected] |
Shelby County | (901) 222-3750 | 140 Adams Avenue, Room 124 Memphis, TN 38103 | [email protected] |
Smith County | (615) 735-2092 | 322 Justice Drive, Suite 105 Carthage, TN 37030 | [email protected] |
Stewart County | (931) 232-5665 | 225 Donelson Parkway, Main Floor Dover, TN 37058 | [email protected] |
Sullivan County | (423) 323-6483 | 140 Blountville Bypass Blountville, TN 37617 | [email protected] |
Sumner County | (615) 451-6036 | 100 Public Square, Rooms 400 & 401 Gallatin, TN 37066 | [email protected] |
Tipton County | (901) 476-0207 | 220 Highway 51 N, Suite 2 Covington, TN 38019 | [email protected] |
Trousdale County | (615) 374-2996 | 303 East Main St, Ste 1 Hartsville, TN 67074 | [email protected] |
Unicoi County | (423) 743-9541 | PO Box 46 Erwin, TN 37650 | [email protected] |
Union County | (865) 992-5942 | 901 Main Street, Suite 206 Maynardville, TN 37807 | [email protected] |
Van Buren County | (931) 946-7175 | 121 Taft Drive Spencer, TN 38585 | [email protected] |
Warren County | (931) 473-2364 | 111 South Court Square, Suite 105 McMinnville, TN 37110 | [email protected] |
Washington County | (423) 788-1450 | 108 W Jackson Boulevard, Suite 2109 Jonesborough, TN 37659 | [email protected] |
Wayne County | (931) 722-5517 | P.O. Box 101, Suite 201 Waynesboro, TN 38485 | [email protected] |
Weakley County | (731) 364-3454 | P.O. Box 197 Dresden, TN 38225 | [email protected] |
White County | (931) 836-3205 | 111 Depot Street, Suite 1 Sparta, TN 38583 | [email protected] |
Williamson County | (615) 790-5428 | 135 4th Avenue South, Room 236 Franklin, TN 37064 | [email protected] |
Wilson County | (615) 466-5311 | 134 South College Street, Room 200 Lebanon, TN 37087 | [email protected] |