Serves Marion County from Fairmont and lists Clarksburg, Morgantown and Kingwood ZIP codes among its service areas. Drafts wills, revocable living trusts, financial and medical powers of attorney, living wills and special needs trusts, and offers virtual estate planning by secure video with remote notaries and witnesses.
Estate Planning for Harrison County, West Virginia Property Owners
For most Harrison 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.
For a Harrison 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 Harrison County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Harrison County property passes through the Circuit Court — even simple West Virginia probates run 6+ months and start with about $76 in filing fees.
Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Harrison County
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Harrison County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Clerk during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.
Before recording, a West Virginia transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentW. Va. Code 36-12-1 to 36-12-17Verified Oct 19, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathW. Va. Code 36-12-1 to 36-12-17Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Where to Record Property Documents
Deeds and other real property documents for Harrison County are recorded with the County Clerk at 229 South 3rd Street, Clarksburg, WV 26301. Phone: 1-304-624-8674. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.
The County Clerk charges $32 for the first 5 pages plus $1 for each page beyond 5. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Harrison County comes to $32. The office also requires a Sales Listing Form (Declaration of Consideration or Value) with the deed, at no charge. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Harrison County accepts electronic recording through CSC.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Harrison County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
229 South 3rd Street, Clarksburg, WV 26301
Website
E-recording
Fax
1-304-626-1090
Recording fees
| Base fee (first 5 pages) | $32 |
| Each page beyond 5 | $1 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax |
W. Va. Code 59-1-10(a)(1), (a)(7); W. Va. Code 5A-8-15(h)
Verified October 17, 2026 · Source
Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Harrison County
Serves Monongalia County from Clay Street in Morgantown. Partner Joshua S. Rogers handles probate and litigates will contests, will and trust construction actions and probate disputes, and the firm's private client group advises executors and trustees on estate administration and estate tax. Rogers conducts the statewide probate training for West Virginia's fiduciary supervisors and county clerks.
Serves Monongalia County from Morgantown, with additional offices in Charleston and Wheeling. Guides executors and trustees through probate filings, trust administration and distribution, and represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in will contests, trust disputes and breach of fiduciary duty claims. Counsel Richard R. Marsh focuses on trust and estate planning, administration and litigation.
Serves Monongalia County from Morgantown, with a second office in Charleston. Guides executors and trustees through probate, estate and trust administration and estate tax returns, and represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in will contests and trust disputes. Formed by the merger of Gianola Barnum & Jecklin and Lewis Glasser.
Serves Monongalia County from an office on the Mileground in Morgantown. Lists wills and estates among its practice areas alongside real estate, personal injury, criminal and family law.
Serves Marion County from Fairmont, handling wills, trusts, probate and estate tax planning. Protects homes and savings from state liens for nursing home and healthcare bills, and makes house and hospital calls.
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.
Legal Sources
(2)·
Data sourced from West Virginia statutes and official state code. How we research.
Forms for Planning Your Estate in West Virginia
Free forms for planning your estate in West Virginia: will, living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney and TOD deed. Prepare each form for West Virginia.
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Last Will and Testament
In West Virginia, a will is signed before 2W.Va. Code § 41-1-3Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavitW.Va. Code § 41-1-3Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
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Codicil to a Will
In West Virginia, a codicil is signed before 2W.Va. Code § 41-1-3Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, like a will.
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Healthcare Power of Attorney
West Virginia requires 2W. Va. Code § 16-30-4(g)-(i)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses and notarizationW. Va. Code § 16-30-4(g)-(i)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source for a healthcare power of attorney.
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HIPAA Release
In West Virginia, a HIPAA release names who may receive your records and, as the state requires, names HIV/AIDS-related informationW. Va. Code § 16-3C-3(a)(3)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source expressly before a provider releases it.
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Financial Power of Attorney
West Virginia treats a power of attorney as durable by defaultW.Va. Code § 39B-1-105Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and it is signed before a notaryW.Va. Code § 39B-1-105Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
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Transfer on Death Deed
In West Virginia, a transfer on death deed is signed before a notaryW. Va. Code 36-12-1 to 36-12-17Verified Oct 19, 2026View source, then recorded with the county before the owner's deathW. Va. Code 36-12-1 to 36-12-17Verified Oct 19, 2026View source. West Virginia does not recognize a Lady Bird deed.
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Living Will
In West Virginia, the living will is the Living WillW. Va. Code Chapter 16, Article 30 (West Virginia Health Care Decisions Act), §§ 16-30-1 to 16-30-25; execution and forms § 16-30-4Verified Sep 27, 2026View source, a written instruction that is valid with no agent named.
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Pour-Over Will
In West Virginia, a pour-over will is signed before 2W.Va. Code § 41-1-3Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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Tools for Planning Your Estate in West Virginia
Free tools for planning your estate in West Virginia: will and trust costs, trust or TOD deed, and the signing rules. Run each tool for West Virginia.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
In West Virginia, a will is signed before 2W.Va. Code § 41-1-3Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and notarization is not requiredW.Va. Code § 41-1-3Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
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Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
West Virginia has no statute recognizing a will by the law of the place where it was signedW.Va. Code § 41-1-5Verified Oct 19, 2026View source, so a will used here is tested against its own rule: 2W.Va. Code § 41-1-3Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and notarization is not requiredW.Va. Code § 41-1-3Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
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Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
In West Virginia, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 1.6%Modeled estimate under W.Va. Code § 44-4-12 (attorney fees as reasonable expenses of the fiduciary, allowed by the fiduciary commissioner; no statutory schedule); § 44-3A-42(c) (fee vouchers); § 44-2-1(a) ($300 ceiling): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source to 2.6%Modeled estimate under W.Va. Code § 44-4-12 (attorney fees as reasonable expenses of the fiduciary, allowed by the fiduciary commissioner; no statutory schedule); § 44-3A-42(c) (fee vouchers); § 44-2-1(a) ($300 ceiling): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
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How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in West Virginia runs $2,870Estimate: 10 hours at $287, Clio's West Virginia Wills and Estates rate (no Trusts rate published); Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $4,305Estimate: 15 hours at $287, Clio's West Virginia Wills and Estates rate (no Trusts rate published); Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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How Much Does a Will Cost?
An attorney-prepared will in West Virginia runs $861Estimate: 3 hours at $287, Clio's West Virginia Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,722Estimate: 6 hours at $287, Clio's West Virginia Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $30,331W.Va. Code § 44-4-12 (attorney fees as reasonable expenses of the fiduciary, allowed by the fiduciary commissioner; no statutory schedule); § 44-3A-42(c) (fee vouchers); § 44-2-1(a) ($300 ceiling)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
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How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?
Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.
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How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?
In West Virginia, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a willW. Va. Code §§ 44-10-1, 44-10-2, 44-10-3Verified Sep 16, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18W. Va. Code § 2-3-1Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
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Do I Need a Revocable Trust?
Probate in West Virginia takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of typically 1.6%Modeled estimate under W.Va. Code § 44-4-12 (attorney fees as reasonable expenses of the fiduciary, allowed by the fiduciary commissioner; no statutory schedule); § 44-3A-42(c) (fee vouchers); § 44-2-1(a) ($300 ceiling): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source to 2.6%Modeled estimate under W.Va. Code § 44-4-12 (attorney fees as reasonable expenses of the fiduciary, allowed by the fiduciary commissioner; no statutory schedule); § 44-3A-42(c) (fee vouchers); § 44-2-1(a) ($300 ceiling): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 9, 2026View source of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
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West Virginia Estate Planning Articles
Estate planning articles for West Virginia.
