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Estate administration in West Virginia typically runs 6–9 months for simple estates and 15–30 months for complex ones. The minimum timeline is largely set by the creditor claim period (2 months), during which the executor can't safely distribute assets. Living trusts bypass this entirely because they don't go through probate. The West Virginia estate settlement checklist walks through the steps.
West Virginia sets executor compensation by statute at 2%–5% of the estate valueW.Va. Code § 44-4-12A (5% on first $100K, 4% on $100K-$400K, 3% on $400K-$800K, 2% above $800K; plus 1% on unsold real estate and non-administered federally taxable property per § 44-4-12A(b))Verified Jun 10, 2026. Executors can also waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. When the executor is a family member who is also a beneficiary, waiving the fee is common because beneficiary distributions aren't taxed as income while executor fees are. See the West Virginia executor fee calculator.
Estate planning attorneys in West Virginia average $287 per hourClio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jan 1, 2025 for wills and estates work. Flat-fee packages run roughly $861–$1,722 for a simple individual will and $1,960–$2,940 for a basic revocable trust. Online and DIY services cost $30–$300 for the same documents — see the will cost calculator for a side-by-side comparison.
West Virginia allows estates under $50,000 to use a simplified Small Estate Affidavit procedure, which is a form rather than a court case and typically doesn't require an attorney. For larger estates, formal probate is involved enough that retaining counsel is usually practical — the procedural work is what they're there for. Use the West Virginia probate calculator to estimate the costs.
In West Virginia, the situations where retaining counsel is typically worth the cost are: blended families with children from prior relationships; ownership of a business, rental property, or significant investment assets; special-needs dependents who need a special-needs trust to preserve benefits; substantial property held in multiple states. If none of these describe your situation, the simpler online and DIY tools are often enough.
Search 4,004 estate law firms across 51 states.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.
24 firms
Charleston estate planning attorney with 35 years of experience in estate planning, guardianship, conservatorship, and estate administration.
Location
P.O. Box 40360Charleston, WV 25364
Phone
(304) 414-0646
Multi-state regional firm with a Wills, Estates & Trusts practice and Private Client Services group. The Charleston office serves clients across West Virginia.
Location
300 Kanawha Boulevard, EastCharleston, WV 25301
Phone
(304) 340-3800
Service Area
Statewide
Serving the tri-state area since 2002, Supple Law Office provides estate planning, estate administration, and probate services. Cary Supple serves as the Fiduciary Commissioner for Mason County.
Location
801 Viand StreetPoint Pleasant, WV 25550
Phone
(304) 675-6249
Established
2002
Bouchillon, Crossan & Colburn handles a broad range of estate matters for clients in Huntington, working personally with individuals to establish estate planning documents and guiding them through probate and estate administration.
Location
731 Fifth AvenueHuntington, WV 25701
Phone
(304) 521-4636
Service Area
Statewide
Founded in 1923, Jenkins Fenstermaker has over 100 years of legal experience. Their wills, trusts, and estates group provides forward-thinking estate planning strategies, serving clients across West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.
Location
325 Eighth StreetHuntington, WV 25701
Phone
(304) 523-2100
Established
1923
Service Area
Statewide
Steptoe & Johnson is a major regional law firm established in 1913 with offices across multiple states. The Huntington office opened in 2003 and provides Private Client / Wealth Management services including estate planning, trusts, and probate administration.
Location
825 Third Avenue, Suite 400Huntington, WV 25701
Phone
(304) 522-8290
Established
1913
Service Area
Statewide
National law firm with a Tax, Benefits, and Wealth Planning practice group covering estate planning, trust and estate administration, and fiduciary services. Huntington office serves clients across West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.
Location
611 Third AvenueHuntington, WV 25701
Phone
(304) 529-6181
Service Area
Statewide
Founded in 1935, Campbell Woods has served the Tri-State (West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio) for over 85 years. Estate planning and administration is one of the firm's core practices, alongside business counseling, banking, real estate, and litigation.
Location
1002 Third AvenueHuntington, WV 25701
Phone
(304) 529-2391
Established
1935
Wheeling estate planning firm with two attorneys handling estate planning, probate, estate administration, contested estates, business counsel, and real estate matters. Licensed in WV, OH, and PA.
Location
78 Fourteenth StreetWheeling, WV 26003
Phone
(304) 232-2970
Established in 1967, Frankovitch Anetakis provides experienced guidance through estate and trust planning and estate administration. Offices in Weirton, Wheeling, and Chester, with attorneys licensed in WV, OH, and PA.
Location
337 Penco RoadWeirton, WV 26062
Phone
(800) 564-4050
Established
1967