The Davidson County Trial Courts have approved the establishment of an Expedited Probate Docket. Judge Randy Kennedy and Presiding Judge Joe P. Binkley, Jr. jointly announced the signing of an order which authorizes Special Probate Masters to preside over expedited dockets.
Judge Kennedy stated that “Special Masters will be conducting hearings on uncontested probate matters which will include name change petitions, small estate administrative proceedings, petitions to administer intestate estates, petitions to probate wills, codicils and other testamentary instruments. This expedited docket will allow the Court to allocate more time for the trial of contested cases including decedents’ estates and conservatorships, and should serve to reduce any delay in citizens being able to have their day in court as soon as possible.”
Judge Binkley said, “The adoption of an expedited probate docket, as distinguished from regular probate dockets, is just another step by the Davidson County Trial Courts to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Courts.”
According to Trial Court Administrator Tim Townsend, the Davidson County Probate Court handles more cases of this type than any other single court in Tennessee, and this expedited probate docket system will begin with Special Master John Manson presiding.
He has served as Special Master to Judge Carol Soloman for several years, and is also expected to serve as a Special Master on designated domestic relations cases on behalf of Judges Philip Robinson and Phillip E. Smith beginning in October.