Estate Planning for Chesterfield County, Virginia Property Owners

For most Chesterfield County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Chesterfield County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court. The two tools that keep a Chesterfield County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Clerk of Circuit Court, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Chesterfield County property passes through the Circuit Court — even simple Virginia probates run 6+ months. Virginia also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Chesterfield County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Chesterfield County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the Clerk of Circuit Court during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, a Virginia transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentVa. Code 64.2-621 to 64.2-638Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathVa. Code 64.2-621 to 64.2-638Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Create a VirginiaTOD deed →Chesterfield Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Chesterfield County are recorded with the Clerk of Circuit Court, led by Clerk Amanda L. Pohl, at 9500 Courthouse Road, 2nd Floor, Chesterfield, VA 23832. Phone: 804-748-1241. Hours: 8:00AM - 4:00PM.

The Clerk of Circuit Court charges $26 for 1-10 pages, $40 for 11-30 pages, $60 for 31+ pages. A 2-page transfer on death deed is $29 in recording fees plus the $3 Open-Space Preservation Fee (Virginia Outdoors Foundation), before any required forms the office charges for. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Chesterfield County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC.

Recording Office Record

Clerk of Circuit Court

Chesterfield County · Clerk · Amanda L. Pohl

Address

9500 Courthouse Road, 2nd FloorChesterfield, VA 23832

Fax

804-796-5625

Hours

8:00AM - 4:00PM

E-recording

Available via Simplifile, CSCE-recording info →

Recording fees

1-10 pages$26
11-30 pages$40
31+ pages$60
Open-Space Preservation Fee (Virginia Outdoors Foundation)Applies to a TOD deed$3
Land Book Transfer FeeRequired with most deeds$1
Deed Processing Fee$20
Paper-Filing Fee (clerks offering electronic land-record filing)Up to $5.00 per instrument
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Va. Code 17.1-275 (subdivision A 2), 17.1-279; add-ons at Va. Code 58.1-817, 58.1-3314(3), 17.1-258.3:1 and 2002-2010 Appropriations Act Sec. 3-6.01

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Verified September 9, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Chesterfield County

Solo PracticeMidlothian, VA

Commonwealth Legal PLLC

Serves 4 counties

Midlothian practice serving Chesterfield County and the greater Richmond area, including Chester, Powhatan, Henrico, Bon Air, and Short Pump. Handles probate and estate administration, guardianship and conservatorship, and Medicaid planning and applications alongside estate planning. Attorney Scott Martin has practiced for more than fifteen years.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawConservatorshipGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
14321 Winter Breeze Drive, Suite 129Midlothian, VA 23113

FirmRichmond, VA

CowanGates

Since 1977 · Serves 4 counties

Richmond firm serving the metro area and Williamsburg, representing executors, trustees, administrators, and personal representatives through Virginia probate. Handles estate and trust administration, will and trust contests and fiduciary litigation, guardianships and conservatorships, and estate and tax planning. In practice since 1977.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more

Office
1930 Huguenot RoadRichmond, VA 23235

FirmColonial Heights, VA

Hill & Rainey Attorneys

Since 1982 · Serves 6 counties

Colonial Heights firm serving the Tri-Cities region — Petersburg and Hopewell — since 1982. Handles wills and estate planning, estate administration, and guardianship matters alongside its litigation practice. Offers flexible appointment scheduling and a service-member discount.

PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
2425 Boulevard, Suite 9Colonial Heights, VA 23834

FirmMidlothian, VA

Midlothian Estate and Elder Law, LLC

Serves 4 counties

Midlothian firm working the Chesterfield County circuit court and Commissioner of Accounts. It administers both probate and non-probate estates — qualifying executors, administrators, and trustees, marshalling assets, and carrying trust administration through to distribution — alongside guardianship and conservatorship petitions for incapacitated relatives.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Lawand 5 more

Office
15871 City View Drive, Suite 220Midlothian, VA 23113

Solo PracticeRichmond, VA

Sigmund J. Collins, PLLC

Serves 4 counties

Downtown Richmond solo practice on East Broad Street handling estate settlement across the city and neighboring counties. Guides executors and administrators through their duties — transferring assets, balancing beneficiary and creditor claims, and closing the estate — with more than twenty years of Richmond-area estate work.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipProbate Administration

Office
313 E. Broad StreetRichmond, VA 23219

FirmHenrico, VA

Smith Strong, PLC

Serves 11 counties

Henrico firm, with a Williamsburg office, serving the greater Richmond region within roughly 90 minutes of the city. Estate-side work covers estate planning, elder law and asset protection, and estate and fiduciary litigation, alongside family law. Offers fixed fees quoted in advance, free consultations, and estate-planning workshops held online or in person.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planningand 4 more

Office
8411 Patterson Avenue, Suite AHenrico, VA 23229
Free consultation
See all 16 firms serving Chesterfield 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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