Estate Planning for Rockingham County, Virginia Property Owners

For most Rockingham 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 Rockingham 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 Rockingham 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 Rockingham County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Rockingham County are recorded with the Clerk of Circuit Court, led by Clerk Chaz W. Haywood, at 80 Court Square, Courthouse, Harrisonburg, VA 22802. Phone: 540-564-3111. 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.

Rockingham County accepts electronic recording through CSC.

Recording Office Record

Clerk of Circuit Court

Rockingham County · Clerk · Chaz W. Haywood

Address

80 Court Square, CourthouseHarrisonburg, VA 22802

Fax

540-564-3127

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 Rockingham County

FirmHarrisonburg, VA

Beth Driver Law, PLC

Serves 5 counties

Beth Driver Law (formerly Evans Driver) serves Harrisonburg and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley through the Rockingham County courts. The firm concentrates on estate planning and estate and trust administration, including probate and post-death settlement work. The practice continues under attorney Beth Driver following the 2026 retirement of co-founder Laura Evans.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawProbate Administration

Office
420 Neff Avenue, Suite 210Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Solo PracticeHarrisonburg, VA

Stone Law Group, PLC

Since 2010 · Serves 4 counties

Harrisonburg firm serving the Rockingham County Circuit Court and broader Shenandoah Valley. Handles estate administration and the settlement of estates, probate, asset distribution, and estate and transfer-tax matters alongside wills and trusts. Lead attorney Phillip C. Stone Jr. is both a CPA and an attorney, giving the practice a tax-focused approach to estate settlement.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTax PlanningWills Trusts

Office
250 E. Market Street, Suite AHarrisonburg, VA 22801

FirmStaunton, VA

Tucker Griffin Barnes P.C.

Serves 7 counties

Staunton office serving Augusta County and the central Shenandoah Valley, the only firm in this directory based in the city. Represents executors, administrators, and heirs through probate — death-certificate filing, notice to heirs, estate valuation, and distribution — and handles contested wills. Consultations are confidential and arranged by phone or online.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
9 South Augusta Street, Suite AStaunton, VA 24401

FirmHarrisonburg, VA

Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC

Since 1845 · Serves 5 counties

Shenandoah Valley firm in Harrisonburg, with a Staunton office, serving the Rockingham and Augusta county courts and into West Virginia. Represents executors, trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries in probate and trust administration of all types, and handles disputes over wills, trusts, and estates. One of the region's oldest firms, with roots to 1845.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTax PlanningWills Trusts

Office
100 S. Mason StreetHarrisonburg, VA 22801

FirmFredericksburg, VA

Carrell Blanton Ferris & Associates, PLC

Serves the whole state

Estate-planning and elder-law firm serving Fredericksburg from its Jackson Street office, part of a four-office Virginia footprint that includes Richmond, Williamsburg, and Virginia Beach. Works with families on trust-based plans, estate and trust administration, Medicaid and asset-protection planning, and guardianship and conservatorship.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 3 more

Office
725 Jackson Street, Suite 209Fredericksburg, VA 22401

FirmWilliamsburg, VA

Johnson, Gasink & Baxter, LLP

Since 2009 · Serves the whole state

Williamsburg-anchored estate firm serving the Historic Triangle and central Virginia, with offices in Richmond and satellite locations including Glen Allen and Charlottesville. Handles probate, estate and trust administration, will and trust updates, powers of attorney, and inheritance matters for estates large and small. Offers a free consultation and an ongoing plan-maintenance service.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationAsset ProtectionPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more

Office
1100 Professional DriveWilliamsburg, VA 23185
Free consultation
See all 7 firms serving Rockingham 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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