Selling a house in Madison County
Madison County has only three incorporated cities: Jackson, Three Way and Medon. So a house outside Jackson is usually in unincorporated county, and county offices handle it. The 2020 population was 98,823.
Probate works differently here than in most of Tennessee. By private act, wills and estate administration go to the General Sessions Court's Division II (the Probate Division), and Chancery Court shares some estate matters, including court-ordered sales of estate real estate. Confirm the right office with the County Clerk before filing.
Local offices to know
Who to call about the paperwork behind a sale in Madison County. County seat: Jackson.
| What it's for | Office | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Recording deeds | Madison County Register of Deeds Phone from the UT County Technical Assistance Service directory | (731) 423-6089 |
| Property taxes and payoffs | Madison County Trustee Phone from the UT County Technical Assistance Service directory | (731) 423-6027 |
| Probate and estates | General Sessions Court, Division II (Probate) Set by private act; Chancery shares some estate matters | — |
| Code enforcement (Jackson) | City of Jackson Building and Codes Code complaints: dial 311 or use the Ready311 app | (731) 425-8262 |
Worth knowing in Madison County
- Unlike most Tennessee counties, Madison County assigns probate to the General Sessions Court's Probate Division by private act, with Chancery Court sharing jurisdiction over items like sales of estate real estate. Source
- Inside Jackson city limits, code problems are reported through 311 or the Ready311 app. Source
Guides for your situation
- Inherited house or probate
How selling an inherited or probate house works in Tennessee, and when a cash sale makes sense.
- Facing foreclosure
How foreclosure works in Tennessee, how much time you may have, and where selling fits.
- Behind on property taxes
What happens when Tennessee property taxes go unpaid, how tax sales and redemption work, and how back taxes are handled in a sale.
- House needs major repairs
Fix it first, list it as-is, or sell for cash: what each path actually nets you.
- Rental with tenants
Selling an occupied rental, tired-landlord sales and what happens to the lease.
- Divorce
How a house sale works when both spouses own it, and why speed and certainty matter.
- Code violations or vacant house
Selling a vacant house or one with open code enforcement cases, as-is.
Office details checked November 2026. Offices move and numbers change, so confirm on the official site.