Wills & Estate Administration

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Probate and Estate Assistance During COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Before visiting, contact the Probate Division by email, phone 804-706-7680, or fax 804-717-6797. 
  • At this time, full probate and qualification matters are handled by appointment only. Appointments will not be scheduled until all necessary information has been provided to Probate staff in advance (see below for scheduling).
  • Probate matters require that an oath be taken so in most cases, an in-person appointment will be required, observing appropriate social distancing, of course. Probate/qualification appointments will be handled at a customer window which separates customers from staff by a glass partition. A videoconferencing approach may be an option in some situations.

General Information

  • To record a will and to qualify an Executor or Administrator of a decedent’s estate, you must contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in the jurisdiction in which the decedent resided at the time of death. Probate/estate matters are handled by appointment.
  • The personal representative (Executor or Administrator) of an estate is charged by law with numerous responsibilities. It is the legal obligation of the personal representative to fully understand and discharge his/her required duties.
    • Further details may be obtained from the Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk and Chesterfield County’s Commissioner of Accounts.
    • An attorney or an accountant can provide assistance as well.
  1. Schedule an Appointment
  2. What to Bring
  3. Definitions
  4. Forms

Scheduling a Probate Appointment

To provide an estimate of the fees/requirements for probate and/or qualification of an Administrator/Executor, at a minimum, we would need the following in advance of scheduling**:

 

  • Your contact information (name, address, phone number, email address)
  • Copy of the Last Will and Testament/Codicil(s), if any. The original Will/Codicils will need to be presented at the probate appointment (and retained by the Clerk at that time). The copy is needed for advanced review to ensure that the Will was executed in compliance with VA law.
  • Copy of the death certificate. 
  • Name, address, and date of birth for all individual(s) wishing to serve as Executor or Administrator (if any).
  • Estimated estate value - The estate value estimate should include assets that were titled in the decedent’s name alone at the date of death. It should not include any items that have a named beneficiary or a payable on death designation. If assets are held jointly with a right of survivorship, those assets would be excluded from the estate as well. Attached is a worksheet on which you can track amounts if you would like.
  • Full names and addresses of heirs (surviving spouse or closest living relatives) 

**The above information may be emailed  (any attachments as PDF preferred) or faxed (contact information above). You may also drop off copies with the Clerk's Office between 8:00-4:00 Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Place all items in an envelope addressed – ATTN: Probate Division. DO NOT provide the original Will/Codicil(s) at this time, only a copy. Safeguard the original Will/Codicil(s) until such time that a probate appointment is scheduled. 

 

After the information you’ve submitted has been received and reviewed, a Probate staff member will contact you to advise as to next steps in relation to scheduling.