Estate Planning for Hanover County, Virginia Property Owners

For most Hanover 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 Hanover 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 Hanover 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.

Skipping this planning step means the Circuit Court decides who receives the property: a simple Virginia probate takes 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 Hanover County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Hanover 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 →Hanover Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Hanover County are recorded with the Clerk of Circuit Court, led by Clerk Frank D. Hargrove Jr, at 7530 County Complex Road, Hanover, VA 23069. Phone: 804-365-6151. Hours: 8:00AM - 4:30PM.

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.

Hanover County accepts electronic recording through CSC.

Recording Office Record

Clerk of Circuit Court

Hanover County · Clerk · Frank D. Hargrove Jr.

Address

7530 County Complex RoadHanover, VA 23069

Fax

804-365-6278

Hours

8:00AM - 4:30PM

E-recording

Available via 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 Hanover County

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

FirmGlen Allen, VA

Herndon Law, P.C.

Serves 4 counties

Glen Allen firm serving Henrico, Goochland, and the greater Richmond courts with a dedicated probate and estate-administration practice. On the settlement side it walks personal representatives through qualification, files inventories and accountings, and manages creditor claims and asset distribution, alongside long-term-care and guardianship work.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Lawand 7 more

Office
4200 Innslake Drive, Suite 201Glen Allen, VA 23060

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

FirmRichmond, VA

Asurest

Richmond-area estate practice that meets clients at home or by video rather than requiring office visits. Prepares wills, trusts, advance medical directives, and powers of attorney on flat fees, and assists with probate across the region. Mobile and remote service is the firm's defining feature.

PracticesEstate PlanningMedical DirectivesPowers Of AttorneyWills Trusts

Office
6610 Monument AvenueRichmond, VA 23226
Virtual consultations

FirmRichmond, VA

Ayers & Stolte P.C.

Since 1990

Richmond firm serving the city and Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover counties for more than 35 years. Handles wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and estate administration through the Virginia probate courts. Offers a free initial case evaluation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
710 N Hamilton Street, Suite 300Richmond, VA 23221
Free consultation
See all 13 firms serving Hanover 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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