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Virginia estate planning
Home→States→Virginia

Virginia Estate Planning: Free Wills, Forms & Calculators

The Old Dominion

Access Virginia estate planning resources with FREE forms for Last Will and Testament, Pour-Over Will, Healthcare Proxy, and Financial Power of Attorney, plus educational tools.

What Makes Virginia Different

Estate planning in Virginia involves navigating a specific set of state laws that differ in important ways from neighboring states. Understanding these distinctions helps ensure your documents will be valid and your wishes carried out as intended.

Like all states, Virginia recognizes formally executed wills and living trusts as valid estate planning tools. A standard will here requires 2 adult witnesses, and adding a notarized self-proving affidavit can streamline the probate process later. The state also recognizes holographic (handwritten) wills, though these have stricter proof requirements and are more vulnerable to legal challenges.

If you die without a will in Virginia, your heirs must survive you by at least 5 days to inherit anything. This "survival period" exists to prevent property from passing through multiple estates in quick succession when family members die close together in time, such as in an accident.

Smaller estates under $75,000 can use a simplified transfer process that avoids full probate proceedings. Unlike states with formal independent administration statutes (such as California and Texas), Virginia doesn't offer a simplified procedure for executors to petition for reduced court oversight. However, executors typically have statutory authority to manage routine estate matters. For families looking to avoid probate court involvement entirely, a revocable living trust remains the most reliable option.

Find Your County's Probate Court

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Each county in Virginia handles probate matters through its local court system. Click on any county to view specific court contact information, judges, filing procedures, and local requirements.

Virginia Estate Law

Probate costs, will requirements, trust laws, and more. Compare with other states.

Explore

Virginia Estate Planning Forms

Pick what's right for you. Free for Virginia.

$12/month

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

Name your heirs, guardians, and final wishes. Free for every state.

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Free

Pour-Over Will

Catch anything outside your trust. Pairs with your revocable trust.

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Free

Healthcare Power of Attorney

Name someone to make medical decisions if you can't.

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Free

Financial Power of Attorney

Name someone to manage your finances if you can't.

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Virginia Tools & Calculators

Run the numbers for Virginia for free.

How Much Does Probate Cost in Virginia?

Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.

Use Calculator

How Much Can an Executor Charge in Virginia?

Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.

Use Calculator

Who Inherits Without a Will in Virginia?

Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.

Use Calculator

What's Fair Trustee Compensation in Virginia?

Find out what's fair compensation for serving as trustee. Compare family, professional, and corporate trustee rates based on your situation.

Use Calculator

How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes in Virginia?

Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.

Use Calculator

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need in Virginia?

Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.

Use Calculator

Do I Need Probate in Virginia?

Answer a few questions to find out if an estate needs full probate, qualifies for simplified probate, or can avoid probate entirely with a small estate affidavit.

Check Now

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost in Virginia?

See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.

Compare Costs

How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost in Virginia?

Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.

Compare Costs

How Much Does a Will Cost in Virginia?

Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.

Compare Costs

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need in Virginia?

Calculate how much life insurance coverage you need. Accounts for income replacement, debt payoff, college funding, and state-specific factors like cost of living and estate taxes.

Use Calculator

I'm Inheriting - What Should I Expect in Virginia?

Find out what to expect when inheriting money, property, or other assets. See timeline estimates, inheritance tax implications, and understand what the executor or trustee is handling behind the scenes.

Learn More

Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected in Virginia?

See how your state handles beneficiary designations after divorce, inherited IRA creditor protection, and spousal consent requirements for retirement accounts.

Check Now

What Are the Estate Laws in My State in Virginia?

Understand your state's estate planning landscape. See will execution requirements, probate procedures, trust administration rules, and what happens if you die without a plan.

Check Your State

How Do Trust Laws Differ Between States in Virginia?

See side-by-side differences in trust execution requirements, remote notarization, transfer-on-death deeds, and administration rules. Calculate settlement costs for each state.

Compare States

How Do I Sign Estate Documents in Virginia?

Understand what you need to execute your estate planning documents. Check witness requirements, notarization rules, and whether you can sign remotely via video call (RON).

Check Requirements

Will My Estate Documents Transfer in Virginia?

Moving states? Find out if your will, trust, healthcare proxy, or power of attorney will be recognized in your new state. See the legal basis for interstate recognition and any potential issues.

Check Portability

Do I Need a Revocable Trust in Virginia?

Answer questions about your estate size, real estate, family situation, and privacy preferences to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone.

Take the Quiz

Can I Self-File Probate in Virginia?

Get a score-based recommendation on whether self-filing probate is right for your situation. See estimated savings vs. hiring an attorney and get a step-by-step checklist.

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Do I Need a Trust or Will in Virginia?

Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.

Compare Options

How Do I Settle an Estate in Virginia?

Get a personalized checklist for settling an estate after someone passes away. Covers trust administration, probate, and intestate estates.

Get Checklist

What Are My Duties as Trustee in Virginia?

Step-by-step guide for successor trustees administering a trust. Understand your duties, notification deadlines, and asset management responsibilities.

Get Checklist

What Are My Duties as Executor in Virginia?

Complete guide for executors and personal representatives navigating probate. Court filings, creditor claims, and distribution timelines.

Get Checklist

Virginia Estate Attorneys

Find estate planning attorneys in Virginia by practice area.

Virginia Estate Planning Attorneys

41 firms

Virginia Estate Administration Attorneys

7 firms

Virginia Trust Administration Attorneys

18 firms

Virginia Probate Litigation Attorneys

1 firm

Virginia Elder Law Attorneys

20 firms

Virginia Tax Planning Attorneys

3 firms

Virginia Conservatorship Attorneys

3 firms

Virginia Guardianship Attorneys

9 firms

Virginia Special Needs Planning Attorneys

7 firms

Virginia Asset Protection Attorneys

7 firms

Financial Institutions in Virginia

Banks, brokerages, and credit unions serving Virginia.

Ameris Bank

Ameris Bank logo

Bank serving the Southeast and Northeast

Ameris Bank

Atlantic Union

Atlantic Union logo

Bank serving the Northeast and Southeast

Atlantic Union

Auto-Owners Life

Auto-Owners Life logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest, Southeast, and more

Auto-Owners Life

Bank of Hope

Bank of Hope logo

Bank serving the Southeast, West, and more

Bank of Hope

Citizens Bank

Citizens Bank logo

Bank serving the Northeast, Southeast, and more

Citizens Bank

City National

City National logo

Bank serving the Southeast, West, and more

City National

Congressional FCU

Congressional FCU logo

Credit Union serving District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland

Congressional FCU

D.A. Davidson

D.A. Davidson logo

Brokerage serving the West, Midwest, and more

D.A. Davidson

Dollar Bank

Dollar Bank logo

Bank serving Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia

Dollar Bank

First Horizon

First Horizon logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Northeast, and more

First Horizon

First National Bank

First National Bank logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Northeast, and more

First National Bank

Fulton Bank

Fulton Bank logo

Bank serving the Northeast and Southeast

Fulton Bank

HSBC

HSBC logo

Bank serving the Northeast, West, and more

HSBC

Langley FCU

Langley FCU logo

Credit Union serving Virginia and North Carolina

Langley FCU

Logix

Logix logo

Credit Union serving the Northeast, West, and more

Logix

M&T Bank

M&T Bank logo

Bank serving the Northeast and Southeast

M&T Bank

Virginia Estate Planning Articles

Explore Virginia estate planning topics including the Commonwealth's probate process, trust laws, and inheritance rules.

Cost of Probate in Virginia: What Families Can Expect to Pay

Cost of Probate in Virginia: What Families Can Expect to Pay

Virginia probate costs range from 2-6% of estate value.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 28, 2026
Revocable Trusts in Virginia Versus Nevada: Which State Works Better?

Revocable Trusts in Virginia Versus Nevada: Which State Works Better?

Compare Virginia vs Nevada for revocable trusts. See how revocable trusts in Virginia versus Nevada compare and what it means.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 2, 2026
Inheritance Tax in Virginia: What You Need to Know

Inheritance Tax in Virginia: What You Need to Know

Virginia has no inheritance or estate tax, simplifying planning. Read about inheritance tax in Virginia and what it means for families.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 2, 2026
Estate Tax in Virginia: Old Dominion Doesn’t Tax Legacies

Estate Tax in Virginia: Old Dominion Doesn’t Tax Legacies

Read about estate tax in Virginia, how the state compares to other states, and what it all means for Virginia families.
Estate Planning
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialFebruary 2, 2026

Virginia Estate Planning News

Track Virginia estate planning changes including General Assembly updates and Commonwealth Court decisions.

Virginia Proposes New Real Estate Tax Structure for Residents

Virginia Proposes New Real Estate Tax Structure for Residents

Virginia lawmakers propose a new real estate tax structure to ease burdens on homeowners. Could this impact your estate planning?
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialJanuary 5, 2026
Expanded Estate Planning Services Now Available in Six States

Expanded Estate Planning Services Now Available in Six States

New estate planning services are launching across six states, making access easier for middle-class families.
News
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust EditorialSeptember 29, 2025