What to Do When Someone Dies in Storey County, Nevada

How probate works in Storey County: the First Judicial District Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

Probate Court Record

Storey County First Judicial District Court

Storey County · 1st Judicial District

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Office

26 South B Street, Drawer D, Virginia City, NV 89440

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

Self-represented filing

AllowedThe county's forms page carries a notice to creditors, a notice to set, a request for submission and a civil cover sheet, and links the Supreme Court's standardized self-help forms.

Hearing schedule

  • Law and motion on the third Friday of each month at 10:00 a.m. for all matters, with Department 1 sitting in even-numbered months and Department 2 in odd-numbered months.

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Storey County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Storey County, probate runs through the First Judicial District Court at 26 South B Street, Drawer D, Virginia City. The court sits in the 1st Judicial District. The same 1st Judicial District also serves Carson City.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Nevada intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Nevada estates take 6 months to 9 months to move through this process. Creditors have 3 monthsNRS 147.040, NRS 147.070, NRS 147.130, NRS 147.195, NRS 155.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.

What Probate Costs in Storey County

What probate costs in Storey County, Nevada comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the First Judicial District Court at 26 South B Street, Drawer D, Virginia City. The court is part of the 1st Judicial District.

Nevada's state fees are tiered on the stated estate value, with a supplemental fee of $99 above $20,000 and $352 at $300,000 and over. Counties add their own supplements, $97 in Clark and Washoe, and Clark adds a $15 dispute resolution fee. Posted totals in Clark run from $185.50 to $537.50 by tierNRS 19.013(1), NRS 19.020(2), NRS 19.0302(1)(c)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Nevada are negotiated, typically 1%NRS 150.060 (reasonable compensation; on the value of the estate, 4% on first $100K, 3% next $100K, 2% next $800K, 1% next $9M, 0.5% next $15M; hourly billing also permitted)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 4%NRS 150.060 (reasonable compensation; on the value of the estate, 4% on first $100K, 3% next $100K, 2% next $800K, 1% next $9M, 0.5% next $15M; hourly billing also permitted)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Nevada sets executor compensation by statute — about $11,150 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.2%NRS 150.020 (statutory percentage: 4% on first $15K, 3% next $85K, 2% above $100K); NRS 150.020(4) (further fees the court deems just and reasonable); NRS 150.030 (extraordinary services)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Nevada requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.

Probate in Nevada typically runs 6 months to 9 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the First Judicial District Court

Probate cases in Storey County are filed at the First Judicial District Court. File in person during business hours or by mail. The court sits in the 1st Judicial District.

Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Department 2 chambers.

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Nevada has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not availableNRS 143.340; NRS 155.020 (appointment is by court petition and hearing — no registrar/informal track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Storey County Self-Filing Assessment.

Storey County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

Opposition within 14 days of service

An opposition to a motion is filed within 14 days after the motion is served, and a party who files none is treated as consenting. A reply is filed within 7 calendar days after the opposition is served.

Source

Document Requirements

Paper format and blue ink

Papers are on 8.5 by 11 inch paper with typed text double-spaced. A self-represented filer may hand-write papers in legible blue ink and signs in blue ink. A paper filed in several cases needs a separate original for each case number.

Source

Court Appearances

Hearing dates set through the judges' chambers in Carson City

To set a hearing in a Storey County case, the filer contacts the judges' chambers in Carson City. Civil settings for Carson City and Storey County are held each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. in each court's judicial assistant's office.

Source

Uncontested probate set by the filer

An uncontested probate hearing is set on the law and motion calendar by the attorney or the self-represented filer, without a court order.

Source

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the First Judicial District Court: Copy of the death certificate, attached to the initial petition as an exhibit with the decedent's Social Security number redacted (an uncertified copy suffices; Washoe accepts "some other evidence of death"); Original will and any codicils, delivered to the clerk of the district court within 30 days after knowledge of the death (NRS 136.050(1)-(2))NRS ch. 136 (probate of wills & petitions for letters); NRS 136.090 (petition contents); NRS ch. 138-139 (appointment & priority); NRS ch. 141 (letters)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Death Certificates and the Coroner in Storey County

In Storey County certified copies of the death certificate come from Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health - Office of Vital Records; the Local Health Department files the certificate and issues no copies to the public.

Vital Records Office Record

Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health - Office of Vital Records

Storey County · State vital records office

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (except state holidays)

Office

4150 Technology Way, Suite 104, Carson City, NV 89706

Certified copies

From Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health - Office of Vital Records; the Local Health Department files the certificate and issues no copies to the public

Mail

Office of Vital Records 4150 Technology Way Suite 104 Carson City, NV 89706

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

Sheriff-Coroner

Storey County · Storey County Sheriff's Office

Office

205 South C Street, Virginia City, NV 89440

Mail and offices

Mail

Storey County Sheriff's Office P.O. Box 498 Virginia City, NV 89440

Fax

1-775-847-0924

Verified November 3, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Storey County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Recorder.

Deeds and other real property documents for Storey County are recorded with the County Recorder at 26 South B Street, Virginia City, NV 89440. Phone: 1-775-847-0967. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM (closed for lunch).

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 493, Virginia City, NV 89440.

The County Recorder charges $37 flat, regardless of page count.

Storey County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC, Hopdox, ePN and Indecomm.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Storey County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM (closed for lunch)

Office

26 South B Street, Virginia City, NV 89440

Mail

P.O. Box 493 Virginia City, NV 89440

Fax

1-775-847-1009

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Storey County

Nevada allows independent administrationNRS 143.300Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so the personal representative manages, pays and distributes the estate without returning to the court for approval at each step. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.

Nevada uses a presumed-reasonable fee schedule for probate attorneys — the percentages are a starting point that can be negotiated, especially for simple estates. Storey County firms typically follow the schedule for routine work and negotiate on complex matters.

A probate attorney files the petition with the First Judicial District Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

FirmCarson City, NV

Allison MacKenzie, Ltd.

Since 1968 · Serves 5 counties

Carson City general-practice firm founded in 1968, serving Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey, and Washoe counties before the First Judicial District Court. Twelve attorneys handle wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, probate administration, and guardianships, with three focused specifically on probate. More than 50 years of continuous Nevada practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipBusiness LawReal Estate Law

Office
402 N. Division StreetCarson City, NV 89703

Solo PracticeCarson City, NV

Handelin Law, LTD

Since 2011 · Serves 5 counties

Carson City firm providing estate planning and business law services since 2011. Steven Handelin brings a direct, thoughtful approach to estate planning for clients across Carson City, Reno, Lake Tahoe, and surrounding communities. Licensed in both Nevada and California.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateAsset ProtectionBusiness Formationand 2 more

Office
1100 South Carson StreetCarson City, NV 89701

Solo PracticeReno, NV

J. Douglas Clark Attorney at Law, Ltd.

Since 1979 · Serves 6 counties

Reno sole practice devoted exclusively to the trusts and estates field for over 36 years. J. Douglas Clark is the founding president of the Probate Bar Association of Washoe County and past president of the Estate Planning Council of Northern Nevada.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrust LitigationAlternative Dispute Resolutionand 2 more

Office
510 West Plumb Lane, Suite BReno, NV 89509
Free consultation

Solo PracticeCarson City, NV

Mahe Law, Ltd.

Serves 5 counties

Carson City estate planning and probate firm serving Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey, and Washoe counties in Northern Nevada. Jennifer M. Mahe handles wills, trusts, probate administration, trust administration, probate litigation, and will contests before Nevada District Courts. Admitted to the Nevada State Bar since 2005.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigation

Office
707 N Minnesota Street, Suite DCarson City, NV 89703

FirmCarson City, NV

Prunty Law

Serves 5 counties

Downtown Carson City boutique on West Telegraph Street, practicing before the First Judicial District Court. Walks personal representatives and trustees through administration deadlines, and represents them in court-supervised probate and in disputes among beneficiaries, fiduciaries, or creditors. Jessica C. Prunty focuses on estate planning and estate and trust administration.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 2 more

Office
111 W. Telegraph Street, Suite 202Carson City, NV 89703

Serves Washoe, Carson City, and Douglas counties from Damonte Ranch in Reno, with a second office in Minden. Handles trust and probate administration for surviving families alongside wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, special-needs trusts, and retirement-account trusts. Runs free public estate planning workshops; consultations are not advertised as free.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
500 Damonte Ranch Parkway, Suite 860Reno, NV 89521
See all 26 firms serving Storey County →

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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Legal Sources

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Data sourced from Nevada statutes and official state code. How we research.

Tools for Settling an Estate in Nevada

Free tools for settling an estate in Nevada: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Nevada.

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Nevada: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 120 daysNRS 144.010, NRS 144.090Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsNRS 147.040, NRS 147.070, NRS 147.130, NRS 147.195, NRS 155.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.

See the Steps

How Do I Settle a Trust?

Settling a trust in Nevada happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteNRS Chapter 163, 164, 165Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.

See the Steps

Can I Self-File Probate?

Nevada has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not availableNRS 143.340; NRS 155.020 (appointment is by court petition and hearing — no registrar/informal track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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