Estate Planning for Manassas City, Virginia Property Owners

For most Manassas City 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 Manassas City 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 Manassas City 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 Manassas City

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Manassas City 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 →Manassas Citysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Manassas City are recorded with the Clerk of Circuit Court, led by Clerk Jacqueline C. Smith, at 9311 Lee Avenue, Third Floor, Manassas, VA 20110. Phone: 703-792-6015. Hours: 8:30AM - 5:00PM.

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.

Manassas City accepts electronic recording through CSC.

Recording Office Record

Clerk of Circuit Court

Manassas City · Clerk · Jacqueline C. Smith

Address

9311 Lee Avenue, Third FloorManassas, VA 20110

Fax

703-342-0342

Hours

8:30AM - 5:00PM

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 Manassas City

FirmWoodbridge, VA

Ryland & Merchak, PC

Serves 5 counties

Woodbridge firm serving Prince William County and Northern Virginia, with estate probate as a standalone practice area. Advises executors and administrators on managing an estate and meeting the circuit court's probate requirements, and drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Clients work directly with an attorney and paralegal, in local courts for over 33 years.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
12728 Directors LoopWoodbridge, VA 22192

FirmManassas, VA

The Manassas Law Group, PC

Since 1978 · Serves 4 counties

Manassas firm serving Prince William County and Northern Virginia, with estate matters routed through the local Circuit Court. Handles probate and estate administration, personal-representative duties, trust administration, guardianship and conservatorship, plus wills, living trusts, and special-needs trusts. Offers a free consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationMedical DirectivesPowers Of AttorneyWills Trusts

Office
9255 Lee AvenueManassas, VA 20110
Free consultation

FirmFairfax, VA

PJI Law, PLC

Since 2010

Fairfax estate-planning, probate, and business-law firm serving Northern Virginia, with offices in the Glen Allen, Leesburg, and Alexandria areas. Its attorneys guide executors and administrators through probate and estate administration, and handle wills, trusts, and estate litigation. Offers a free initial consultation and conducts remote video meetings for clients who cannot meet in person.

PracticesEstate PlanningPowers Of AttorneyProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
3900 Jermantown Road, Suite 220Fairfax, VA 22030
Free consultation

Solo PracticeAlexandria, VA

Speedwell Law, PLLC

Since 2015

Alexandria firm serving Northern Virginia families with estate planning and probate administration. Handles wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and estate administration. Most planning meetings are conducted virtually, with an in-person signing ceremony, accommodating clients who prefer remote work.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationConservatorshipGuardianshipand 3 more

Office
2000 Duke Street, Suite 300Alexandria, VA 22314

FirmFairfax, VA

The Geller Law Group

Since 2011

Woman-owned firm serving Northern Virginia and the DC metro from its Fairfax office, with a second location in Washington, DC. Its estate practice covers wills and trust drafting, probate, and estate administration, guiding clients through probate appointments, court filings, and post-death deadlines.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
4000 Legato Road, Suite 1100Fairfax, VA 22033

FirmWinchester, VA

McCarthy & Akers, PLC

Since 2010 · Serves 5 counties

Estate-planning and elder-law firm in Winchester serving Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, with branch offices in Strasburg, Woodstock, Front Royal, and Manassas. Handles estate administration for first-time executors, probate, wills and trusts, powers of attorney, guardianship, special-needs trusts, and Medicaid planning. Offers free and virtual consultations.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawMedical DirectivesPowers Of AttorneyWills Trusts

Office
302 W Boscawen StreetWinchester, VA 22601
Free consultation
See all 11 firms serving Manassas City→

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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