f
Follow us

Need Help with Probate? Our Guide to Estate Administration

Need Help with Probate? Our Guide to Estate Administration

Losing someone you care about is never easy. On top of the grief, there’s the legal side—often unfamiliar and full of questions. That’s where we help. At Commonwealth Life & Legacy Counsel, we guide families through the probate process with clarity and calm.

What Probate Means in Virginia

Probate is how Virginia handles a person’s estate after death. It’s supervised by the Circuit Court in the county or city where the person lived. The process confirms the will, appoints someone to manage the estate, makes sure everything is accounted for, and then ensures remaining assets go to the right people.

This isn’t always straightforward. Even with a will, families can face delays, court requirements, or unexpected issues with property or debts. We’ve worked with families across Powhatan, Louisa, Albemarle, and Fluvanna to take the pressure off during this time.

How the Process Works

The first step is making an appointment with the Circuit Court Clerk and filling out some forms the Clerk will require, then recording the will and providing the Clerk with a death certificate. If the will meets Virginia’s standards, the Clerk then appoints a personal representative to manage the estate. That person is responsible for notifying heirs, gathering and valuing assets, paying taxes and debts, and submitting reports to the Commissioner of Accounts.

A few important points:

  • Virginia’s probate tax is $0.10 per $100 of estate value over $15,000, with small county-level fees sometimes added.
  • Not all assets go through probate—joint accounts, payable-on-death accounts, and assets in a trust may transfer directly.
  • Estates with only personal property under $50,000 may qualify to be administered as “a small estate” instead of through a full probate.

Your Next Step Starts Here

If you’re feeling unsure about what to do after a loved one’s passing, we’re here to help you sort it out. Whether it’s full probate, a simplified alternative, or questions about the estate process in Virginia, we can talk through it and explain what comes next—clearly, and with care. Call us in Central Virginia at 434-589-2958 or in Powhatan at 804-598-1348, or visit us online to learn more. We’re ready when you are.