How Much Does Probate Cost in Chesterfield County, Virginia?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Chesterfield County can expect.
Probate in Chesterfield County, Virginia runs through the Circuit Court at 9500 Courthouse Road, 2nd Floor, Chesterfield. The total cost depends on the estate's size, whether the will is contested, and how much professional help the executor uses.
Local procedures at this court: Criminal and Civil Terms begin the Tuesday following the 3rd Monday in January, then the 3rd Monday in March, May, July, September, and November; Pre-setting of all cases is strongly encouraged; Criminal dockets convene at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
Virginia charges $0 - $30 (based on estate value)Va. Code § 17.1-275(A)(3)Verified May 1, 2026 to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The Circuit Court accepts e-filing (https://www.vacourts.gov/online/vjefs/home). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Virginia are negotiated, typically 2%Va. Code § 64.2-1208 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 1, 2026 to 4%Va. Code § 64.2-1208 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 1, 2026 of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation runs 2%Va. Code § 64.2-1208 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 1, 2026 to 4%Va. Code § 64.2-1208 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 1, 2026 of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Va. Code § 64.2-504Verified May 1, 2026 of estate value annually.
Probate in Virginia typically runs 9 monthsVa. Code § 64.2-601Verified May 1, 2026 to 12 monthsVa. Code § 64.2-601Verified May 1, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 12 monthsVa. Code § 64.2-529 (PR protection); § 64.2-550 (creditor notice proceedings)Verified May 1, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- Va. Code § 17.1-275(A)(3)
- Va. Code § 64.2-1208 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- Va. Code § 64.2-504
- Va. Code § 64.2-529 (PR protection); § 64.2-550 (creditor notice proceedings)
- Va. Code § 64.2-601
Data sourced from Virginia statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Chesterfield County, that means filing fees (about $30 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs about $30 in Chesterfield County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Virginia uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.
Virginia allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
Yes. Virginia estates under $75,000 can use a small estate affidavit and avoid most probate costs. Check the Virginia self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Chesterfield County probate.
Circuit Court
Chesterfield County
9500 Courthouse Road, 2nd Floor
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Phone:
804/748-1241Fax:
804/796-5625
Hours:
8:00AM - 4:00PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
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