Estate Planning for Roanoke County, Virginia Property Owners

For most Roanoke 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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Roanoke County are recorded with the Clerk of Circuit Court, led by Clerk W. Michael Galliher, at 305 E. Main Street, Salem, VA 24153. Phone: 540-387-6205. Hours: 8:30AM - 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.

Roanoke County accepts electronic recording through CSC.

Recording Office Record

Clerk of Circuit Court

Roanoke County · Clerk · W. Michael Galliher

Address

305 E. Main StreetSalem, VA 24153

Fax

540-387-6145

Hours

8:30AM - 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 Roanoke County

FirmSalem, VA

Valley Estate & Trust, PLLC

Serves 4 counties

Salem firm on East Main Street serving the Roanoke Valley and western Virginia courts, with a practice limited to estate and trust work. Guides executors through probate and trustees through trust administration — marshalling assets, settling debts, and distributing to beneficiaries — plus guardianship and conservatorship appointments. Estate and trust administration is its sole focus.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationConservatorshipand 2 more

Office
110 E. Main Street, Suite 102Salem, VA 24153

FirmRoanoke, VA

Anderson, Desimone, Green & Owens, PC

Serves 6 counties

Roanoke firm serving Southwest Virginia with a practice limited to estate planning and elder law. Handles estate and trust administration, probate, guardianship and conservatorship, asset protection, and Medicaid planning. Offers a free consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 2 more

Office
4923 Colonial AvenueRoanoke, VA 24018
Free consultation

FirmRoanoke, VA

Copenhaver, Ellett & Derrico

Serves 8 counties

Roanoke firm on Franklin Road serving the Roanoke and New River Valleys and the surrounding counties. Guides personal representatives through probate and estate administration — asset gathering, creditor notification, and distribution to heirs — and handles will contests, beneficiary-status determinations, and accounting disputes.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
30 Franklin Road SW, Suite 200Roanoke, VA 24011

FirmRoanoke, VA

Rhodes, Butler & Dellinger, PC

Serves 6 counties

Roanoke firm serving clients throughout Southwest Virginia in estate, tax, trust, and elder law. Handles estate and trust administration, revocable living trusts and wills, special-needs trusts, guardianships, and fiduciary advising for executors and trustees. Partner Mark W. Dellinger was named a Virginia Super Lawyer in elder law.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 3 more

Office
318 Washington Avenue SWRoanoke, VA 24016

Solo PracticeRadford, VA

Ryan L. Pry, P.C.

Since 2007 · Serves 9 counties

Solo estate and probate firm in Radford serving the New River Valley and broader Southwest Virginia, including Pulaski, Montgomery, and Roanoke. Handles wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and estate administration and probate representation. Attorney Ryan Pry has drafted more than 750 wills and trusts since 2007 and makes home visits for clients who cannot travel to Radford.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planningand 4 more

Office
701B West Main StreetRadford, VA 24141

Solo PracticeLexington, VA

Tarris Law, PLC

Since 2016 · Serves 3 counties

Lexington firm, with a second office in the Roanoke area, serving Rockbridge County and the greater Roanoke region. Focuses on probate-avoidance estate planning — revocable living trusts to hold and distribute assets privately — plus wills and trust administration. Offers a free 15-minute consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
14 E. Nelson Street, Suite 202Lexington, VA 24450
Free consultation
See all 10 firms serving Roanoke 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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