Estate Planning & Probate in Hancock County, West Virginia
Hancock County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Start with your situation below; both paths use Hancock County's actual court and recording details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Circuit Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Hancock County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Hancock County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Hancock County→The Probate Process in Hancock County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Hancock County, probate runs through the Circuit Court at Hancock County Courthouse, 102 Court Street, New Cumberland. The court sits in the First Judicial Circuit. Hancock County shares the First Judicial Circuit with Brooke and Ohio.
Full Hancock Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Circuit Court
Hancock County · First Judicial Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Hancock County · County Clerk · Karan Valenti
Address
Fax
Hours
$32 for the first 5 pages plus $1 for each page beyond 5; a 2-page TOD deed records for $32; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified September 9, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Circuit Court
In West Virginia, uncontested probate (wills, estate administration, inventories) is handled by the County Clerk's fiduciary/probate office, not the Circuit Court. Circuit Courts handle contested matters such as will contests and disputed estate proceedings. A person who has custody of a will must, within 30 days after learning of the testator's death, deliver the will to the County Clerk or to the executor named in the will. The will is then presented to the County Clerk to be admitted to probate; a certified copy of the death certificate is required.
West Virginia Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Hancock County.
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