Stafford firm serving Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania since 1973 from its Courthouse Road office. Its estate practice covers wills, non-probate transfer planning, advance medical directives, guardianship and conservatorship, and probate and estate administration through the local circuit courts. Three attorneys with more than 70 years of combined Virginia experience.
Stafford is in Stafford County.
Probate in Stafford County
Probate Court Record
Stafford County Circuit Court
Stafford County · 15th Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554
Website
Filing in person
Appointment required
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Stafford County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Stafford County? →Settling an estate in Stafford County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Virginia
Free Virginia forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Virginia.
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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Last Will and Testament
In Virginia, a will is signed before 2Va. Code § 64.2-403Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyVa. Code § 64.2-403Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Virginia
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Virginia: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Virginia.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Virginia costs an estimated $29,411Va. Code §§ 64.2-105(B)(12) (fiduciary employs and compensates counsel), 64.2-1208(A) (commissioner of accounts allows reasonable expenses; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.5%Modeled estimate under Va. Code §§ 64.2-105(B)(12) (fiduciary employs and compensates counsel), 64.2-1208(A) (commissioner of accounts allows reasonable expenses; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.9%Modeled estimate under Va. Code §§ 64.2-105(B)(12) (fiduciary employs and compensates counsel), 64.2-1208(A) (commissioner of accounts allows reasonable expenses; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Virginia: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 120 daysVa. Code § 64.2-1300Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsVa. Code §§ 64.2-508.1, 64.2-528, 64.2-529, 64.2-550, 64.2-552, 64.2-556Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Virginia pays executors reasonable compensationVa. Code § 64.2-1208(A) (commissioner of accounts allows reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate.
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Do I Need Probate?
In Virginia, estates with personal property of $75,000Va. Code § 64.2-600Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitVa. Code § 64.2-600Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, 60 daysVa. Code § 64.2-600Verified Sep 9, 2026View source after death.
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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Virginia, the 6 monthsVa. Code §§ 64.2-554, 64.2-556(A) (six months from qualification), 64.2-508.1(C)(4) (published notice); § 64.2-529 (12-month liability shield); § 64.2-550 (debts-and-demands hearing)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source period after first publication of the creditor notice protects a representative who distributes after it; late claims can still reach undistributed assets.
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