Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-16-119: Reference of questions of fact to clerk - Designation as probate master

(a) In the exercise of the jurisdiction conferred by § 16-16-107 , by title 33, or by [former] title 34, chapter 10, the county judge may, in the county judge's discretion, by general or special orders of reference, refer questions of fact to the county clerk, for taking of proof, either by depositions or by oral testimony, and making findings of fact with respect to the depositions or oral testimony. The county clerk or a deputy named by the county clerk may be designated as probate master and in that capacity shall have all the powers of a clerk and master in chancery. (b) Subsection (a) shall only apply in counties having a population, according to the 2000 federal census or any subsequent federal census, of: not less than not more than 12,800 12,900 27,100 27,200 43,100 43,200 62,300 62,400 182,000 182,100 (c) In counties having a population of not less than thirty-nine thousand fifty (39,050) nor more than thirty-nine thousand one hundred fifty (39,150), according to the 2000 federal census of population or any subsequent federal census, the circuit court clerk, who also serves as the general sessions court clerk, shall serve as the clerk of the court with probate jurisdiction in any such counties. Acts 1955, ch. 146, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 22, 36; modified; T.C.A., § 16-721; Acts 2003 , ch. 310, §§ 1, 6-10; 2005, ch. 24, §§ 1, 2.

(a) In the exercise of the jurisdiction conferred by § 16-16-107 , by title 33, or by [former] title 34, chapter 10, the county judge may, in the county judge's discretion, by general or special orders of reference, refer questions of fact to the county clerk, for taking of proof, either by depositions or by oral testimony, and making findings of fact with respect to the depositions or oral testimony. The county clerk or a deputy named by the county clerk may be designated as probate master and in that capacity shall have all the powers of a clerk and master in chancery.

(b) Subsection (a) shall only apply in counties having a population, according to the 2000 federal census or any subsequent federal census, of: not less than not more than 12,800 12,900 27,100 27,200 43,100 43,200 62,300 62,400 182,000 182,100

not less than not more than 12,800 12,900 27,100 27,200 43,100 43,200 62,300 62,400 182,000 182,100

not less than

not more than

12,800

12,900

27,100

27,200

43,100

43,200

62,300

62,400

182,000

182,100

(c) In counties having a population of not less than thirty-nine thousand fifty (39,050) nor more than thirty-nine thousand one hundred fifty (39,150), according to the 2000 federal census of population or any subsequent federal census, the circuit court clerk, who also serves as the general sessions court clerk, shall serve as the clerk of the court with probate jurisdiction in any such counties.