What to Do When Someone Dies in Monongalia County, West Virginia

Probate in Monongalia County runs through the Circuit Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.

When someone dies in Monongalia County, settling their estate runs through the Circuit Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.

Probate Court Record

Circuit Court

Monongalia County · Twenty-First Judicial Circuit

Address

Monongalia County Justice Center, 75 High Street, Suite 12Morgantown, WV 26505

Fax

304-291-7273

Hours

Contact court for hours
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing optionalAppointment requiredSelf-filing allowed

County forms

Departments

  • County Clerk - Fiduciary / Probate304-291-7230 ext. 7270Probate office is at the Courthouse (243 High Street); the Circuit Clerk is at the Justice Center (75 High Street).

Monongalia County is the only county in the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit.

Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Monongalia 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 Monongalia County, probate runs through the Circuit Court at Monongalia County Justice Center, 75 High Street, Suite 12, Morgantown. The court sits in the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under West Virginia intestacy law when there is no will.

Most West Virginia estates take 9 monthsW.Va. Code §§ 44-1A-1Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 15 monthsW.Va. Code §§ 44-1A-1Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to move through this process. The 2 monthsW.Va. Code § 44-1-14aVerified Jul 14, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.

What Probate Costs in Monongalia County

What probate costs in Monongalia County, West Virginia comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Circuit Court at Monongalia County Justice Center, 75 High Street, Suite 12, Morgantown. The court is part of the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit.

Probate matters are handled through the County Clerk - Fiduciary / Probate. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.

Local procedures at this court: Probate handled by County Clerk, not Circuit Court; Will custodian must deliver the will within 30 days of death; Estate-opening fees are set by the County Clerk and vary by county. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.

The Circuit Court charges $95 - $245 (based on estate value)W. Va. Code § 44-3A-42; county clerk fee schedules (locally set)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

The Circuit Court accepts e-filing (https://efile.courtswva.com). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in West Virginia are negotiated, typically 1.6%W.Va. Code § 44-4-12 (attorney fees allowed as reasonable expenses of the fiduciary; no statutory attorney fee schedule)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 2.6%W.Va. Code § 44-4-12 (attorney fees allowed as reasonable expenses of the fiduciary; no statutory attorney fee schedule)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Executor compensation is also statutory in West Virginia, typically 2%W.Va. Code § 44-4-12A (5% on first $100K, 4% on $100K-$400K, 3% on $400K-$800K, 2% above $800K; plus 1% on unsold real estate and non-administered federally taxable property per § 44-4-12A(b))Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 5%W.Va. Code § 44-4-12A (5% on first $100K, 4% on $100K-$400K, 3% on $400K-$800K, 2% above $800K; plus 1% on unsold real estate and non-administered federally taxable property per § 44-4-12A(b))Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of estate value. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

West Virginia requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%W.Va. Code § 44-1-6 (bond required at the grant of administration unless excused by § 44-1-8); § 44-1-7 (penalty of bond — at least the full value of the personal estate); § 44-1-8 (will may direct no bond; no surety required of a sole beneficiary/sole distributee)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of estate value annually.

Probate in West Virginia typically runs 9 monthsW.Va. Code §§ 44-1A-1Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 15 monthsW.Va. Code §§ 44-1A-1Verified Jul 14, 2026View source, and costs accrue throughout. The 2 monthsW.Va. Code § 44-1-14aVerified Jul 14, 2026View source creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.

How to File Probate at the Circuit Court

Probate documents in Monongalia County can be filed in person at the Circuit Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available. The court sits in the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit.

Filings here are routed through the County Clerk - Fiduciary / Probate. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.

How to File Your Documents

Paper Filing Available

You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.

E-Filing Also Available

If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.

View E-Filing Information

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Circuit Court is realistic.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Monongalia County Self-Filing Assessment.

Monongalia County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

Probate handled by County Clerk, not 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.

Source: W. Va. Code 44-1-1 et seq.

Will custodian must deliver the will within 30 days of death

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.

Source: W. Va. Code 41-5-1

Small Estate Act: under $50,000 personal property, no real property

A small estate qualifies for the simplified affidavit process under the West Virginia Small Estate Act when the aggregate fair market value of all probate personal property does not exceed $50,000. Effective July 9, 2025 (HB 2867), an estate that includes any probate real property no longer qualifies as a small estate. No bond is required for small estates.

Source: W. Va. Code 44-1A-2

Document Requirements

Estate appraisement and inventory due within 90 days

The personal representative must return the appraisement form (the original plus two copies) and the notarized nonprobate inventory to the County Clerk or fiduciary supervisor within 90 days of the date of qualification. The forms list all real estate, bank accounts, and personal property at fair market value.

Source: W. Va. Code 44-1-14

Monongalia County Forms

This county uses specific forms in addition to state-standard forms. Using the correct forms helps avoid delays or rejected filings.

Creditor Claim (with Instructions)

Download

File a claim against an estate

Claim Release Form

Download

Release a filed creditor claim

Before You Go

Appointment required

An appointment is required to file in person. Probate is by appointment only, Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:30pm (allow up to an hour). Book online at https://monongaliacountyclerkoffice.as.me/?appointmentType=246126 or call 304-291-7230 ext. 7270.

What to Bring

To file at the Circuit Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.

Transferring Property in Monongalia County

Clearing title to real estate after a death—recording a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order—happens at the County Clerk.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Monongalia County · County Clerk · Carye L. Blaney

Address

243 High Street Room 123Morgantown, WV 26505

Fax

(304) 291-7233

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

E-recording

Available via CSCE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first 5 pages)$32
Each page beyond 5$1
Sales Listing Form (Declaration of Consideration or Value)RequiredDeeds and other documents offered for recordation under W. Va. Code 11-22No fee. W. Va. Code 11-22-6: the clerk "may not record any document with or without stamps affixed unless there is tendered with the document a completed and verified sales listing form for the benefit and use of the State Tax Commissioner." Preprinted forms are supplied to each county clerk by the State Tax Commissioner.$0

Fee model: $32.00 records a deed of up to 5 pages — $30.00 under W. Va. Code 59-1-10(a)(1) plus the $2.00 records-preservation fee under W. Va. Code 5A-8-15(h). Each page over 5 costs $1.00 (59-1-10(a)(7)), and documents of 20+ pages add $1.00 for each additional 10 pages (5A-8-15(h)). Fees are set by statute and are uniform across all 55 counties; only the county excise-tax rate varies locally. Verified 2026-07-14 against code.wvlegislature.gov and the Monongalia County Clerk fee schedule effective July 1, 2025.

W. Va. Code 59-1-10(a)(1), (a)(7); W. Va. Code 5A-8-15(h)

Transfer tax

Excise tax on the privilege of transferring title to real estate: $1.10 per $500 of value ($2.20 per $1,000) (W. Va. Code 11-22-2(a)). Since July 1, 2025 this tax is retained by the county where it is collected. An additional $20 fee is assessed on the privilege of transferring real estate for consideration, deposited in the Affordable Housing Fund (W. Va. Code 11-22-2(a)). State; Additional COUNTY excise tax, which VARIES BY COUNTY: statutory base of $0.55 per $500 ($1.10 per $1,000); since July 1, 2017 a county commission may vote to increase it to as much as $1.65 per $500 ($3.30 per $1,000) (W. Va. Code 11-22-2(b)). Combined state + county therefore ranges from $3.30 per $1,000 to $5.50 per $1,000 depending on the county. Confirm the local rate with the county clerk. local. Transfer-on-death deeds are generally exempt (W. Va. Code 36-12-9(3): "notwithstanding section two, article twenty-two, chapter eleven of this code, a transfer on death deed is exempt from the payment of excise tax on the privilege of transferring real estate for the reason that no interest in the property is at the time of recording being passed to the beneficiary and the deed remains revocable until the death of the transferor." The exemption is express and statutory, not inferred.). The exemption is written into the TOD Deed Act itself and overrides W. Va. Code 11-22-2. No excise tax and no stamps are due when the TOD deed is recorded.

Verified July 14, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Monongalia County

West Virginia allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Monongalia County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.

Probate attorney fees in West Virginia are based on reasonable compensation — typically 1.6%W.Va. Code § 44-4-12 (attorney fees allowed as reasonable expenses of the fiduciary; no statutory attorney fee schedule)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 2.6%W.Va. Code § 44-4-12 (attorney fees allowed as reasonable expenses of the fiduciary; no statutory attorney fee schedule)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Monongalia County firm to quote a structure up front.

A probate attorney files the petition with the Circuit Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

North Central West Virginia Firms

Ardent Legal, PLLC

Solo Practice

Boutique firm founded in April 2022 providing comprehensive estate plans for individuals and couples in Monongalia County and surrounding counties. Services range from individual documents to full estate plans with tailored planning for clients at all stages of life.

Location

503 Burroughs Street, Suite 101Morgantown, WV 26505

Phone

(304) 241-1055

Established

2022

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsPowers Of AttorneyHealthcare DirectivesFamily Law
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Lewis Gianola PLLC

Firm

Morgantown firm (formerly Gianola, Barnum & Jecklin) handling wills, trusts, probate, and estate and tax planning for North Central West Virginia families. Attorneys Jessica E. Ray and Jason Wingfield cover estate planning and probate, including estate administration and will-contest litigation.

Location

1714 Mileground RoadMorgantown, WV 26505

Phone

(304) 291-6300

Established

1985

Estate PlanningTrustsWillsTax PlanningBusiness PlanningProbate
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Mark Everett, Attorney at Law, PLLC

Solo Practice

Morgantown attorney with 18 years of experience practicing in wills, trusts and estates, residential and commercial real estate, personal injury, criminal law, general civil litigation, contract law, business law, and family law.

Location

1756F Mileground RoadMorgantown, WV 26505

Phone

(304) 284-9111

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsReal EstateCriminal LawPersonal InjuryFamily LawBusiness Law
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Seamon Law Offices, PLLC

Solo Practice

Doreen Seamon has guided hundreds of families through critical estate planning decisions. The firm dedicates its entire practice to estate planning, Medicaid planning, asset protection, and veterans benefits for families in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Location

2101 About Town PlaceMorgantown, WV 26508

Phone

(304) 554-2900

Estate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningTrustsWillsPowers Of AttorneyVeterans BenefitsSpecial Needs PlanningTrust Administration
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Van Deysen Law Office, PLLC

Solo Practice

Brent Van Deysen, a WVU College of Law graduate and member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), provides comprehensive elder law and estate planning services throughout West Virginia.

Location

123 Canyon RoadMorgantown, WV 26508

Phone

(304) 594-1900

Estate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningTrustsWillsGuardianshipConservatorshipProbateSpecial Needs PlanningAsset Protection
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Miller Law Offices, PLLC

Firm

Established firm with nearly five decades of service providing estate planning and probate administration to clients throughout Marion County and north central West Virginia.

Location

936 East Park Avenue, Suite 2Fairmont, WV 26554

Phone

(304) 366-0822

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Pitrolo Law Offices, PLLC

Solo Practice

Estate planning boutique in Fairmont providing drafting of wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and special needs trusts. Known for professionalism and compassionate guidance through the estate planning process.

Location

320 Madison StreetFairmont, WV 26554

Phone

(304) 319-1194

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsPowers Of AttorneySpecial Needs PlanningBusiness Law
Free consultationVisit site

Romain, Romain & Pevler PLLC

Firm

Fairmont estate planning and elder law firm offering wills, trusts, asset protection, and Medicaid/nursing home planning for families across West Virginia. Robert James Pevler is licensed in West Virginia and North Carolina.

Location

110 Gaston AvenueFairmont, WV 26554

Phone

(304) 368-1490

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsPowers Of AttorneyProbateGuardianshipConservatorshipAsset ProtectionSpecial Needs PlanningElder Law
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Tharp, Liotta & Yokum, LLP

Firm

Fairmont partnership in the WesBanco Building, blocks from the Marion County courthouse and its probate division, handling wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration. Partner Karen M. Yokum concentrates on estate planning, probate, and elder law for Marion County families.

Location

301 Adams Street, Suite 703Fairmont, WV 26554

Phone

(304) 363-1123

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateEstate AdministrationElder Law

Waters, Warner & Harris, PLLC

Firm

Clarksburg firm in the Goff Building, a short walk from the Harrison County courthouse, handling wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration. Its wealth-transfer attorneys cover estate planning and elder-law matters alongside the firm's real estate and business work. In practice in Harrison County since 1933.

Location

321 W. Main StreetClarksburg, WV 26301

Phone

(304) 624-5571

Established

1933

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateEstate AdministrationElder Law

Statewide Practices

Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, PLLC

Firm

Drafts wills and provides probate representation for clients throughout West Virginia. AV-rated firm with nearly 25 attorneys across four offices.

Location

901 Quarrier StreetCharleston, WV 25301

Phone

(304) 344-0100

Established

1989

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsProbateTrustsElder LawGuardianshipPowers Of AttorneyBusiness Succession
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Wooton, Davis, Hussell & Johnson, PLLC

Firm

Leading trust and estate firm in West Virginia with attorneys who prepare estate planning documents and resolve probate and trust administration disputes.

Location

300 Summers Street, Suite 1230Charleston, WV 25301

Phone

(304) 407-2249

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningEstate LitigationProbateTrust Administration
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Jarvis Law Office (West Virginia)

Firm

Ohio-based estate planning and elder law firm founded in 2003 serving West Virginia statewide. Covers Charleston, Morgantown, Wheeling, Huntington, Parkersburg, and Beckley. Works with Charleston Area Medical Center and Huntington VA Medical Center. Flat-fee pricing model with free statewide seminars.

Location

904 N. Columbus StreetLancaster, OH 43130

Phone

(740) 639-5303

Established

2003

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningProbateAsset ProtectionTrustsPowers Of AttorneyVeterans BenefitsSpecial Needs Planning
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Bowles Rice LLP

Firm

Founded in 1920, Bowles Rice is a full-service law firm with 100+ attorneys. Their Private Client Services team of 14 attorneys provides estate and gift taxation, charitable giving, probate and trust law, special needs planning, and advance directives across six offices.

Location

600 Quarrier StreetCharleston, WV 25301

Phone

(304) 347-1100

Established

1920

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningTrustsWillsProbateElder LawMedicaid PlanningBusiness SuccessionSpecial Needs PlanningEstate Tax PlanningCharitable Giving
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Bailey & Slotnick, PLLC

Firm

Full-service real estate and estate planning firm with two offices in the Kanawha Valley/Putnam County area. Drafts wills and trusts and assists clients with living wills, powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives. Serves all 55 WV counties.

Location

500 Virginia Street East, Suite 600Charleston, WV 25301

Phone

(304) 345-4222

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsPowers Of AttorneyHealthcare DirectivesReal Estate
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Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC

Firm

Multi-state regional firm with a Wills, Estates & Trusts practice and Private Client Services group. The Charleston office serves clients across West Virginia.

Location

300 Kanawha Boulevard, EastCharleston, WV 25301

Phone

(304) 340-3800

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateEstate AdministrationPrivate Client Services
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Robinson & McElwee PLLC

Firm

Established West Virginia firm with a Wealth Transfer Planning practice covering estate planning, trusts, and business succession. Charleston headquarters with additional offices in Wheeling and Clarksburg.

Location

700 Virginia Street East, Suite 400Charleston, WV 25301

Phone

(304) 344-5800

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsEstate Tax PlanningBusiness SuccessionWealth Transfer Planning
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Frazier & Oxley, L.C.

Firm

Established around 1960, offers a full complement of services in estate planning and litigation, proudly serving the entire state of West Virginia for over 65 years with 100+ years of combined experience.

Location

320 9th Street, Suite 200Huntington, WV 25701

Phone

(304) 486-3501

Established

1960

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningEstate LitigationProbateTrustsWillsTax Planning
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Bouchillon, Crossan & Colburn, L.C.

Firm

Bouchillon, Crossan & Colburn handles a broad range of estate matters for clients in Huntington, working personally with individuals to establish estate planning documents and guiding them through probate and estate administration.

Location

731 Fifth AvenueHuntington, WV 25701

Phone

(304) 521-4636

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsProbateEstate Administration
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Jenkins Fenstermaker, PLLC

Firm

Founded in 1923, Jenkins Fenstermaker has over 100 years of legal experience. Their wills, trusts, and estates group provides forward-thinking estate planning strategies, serving clients across West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Location

325 Eighth StreetHuntington, WV 25701

Phone

(304) 523-2100

Established

1923

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateEstate AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipConservatorshipEstate Tax PlanningBusiness SuccessionSpecial Needs Planning
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Steptoe & Johnson PLLC (Huntington)

Firm

Steptoe & Johnson is a major regional law firm established in 1913 with offices across multiple states. The Huntington office opened in 2003 and provides Private Client / Wealth Management services including estate planning, trusts, and probate administration.

Location

825 Third Avenue, Suite 400Huntington, WV 25701

Phone

(304) 522-8290

Established

1913

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsPowers Of AttorneySpecial Needs PlanningCharitable GivingEstate Tax PlanningProbateEstate AdministrationBusiness Succession
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Dinsmore & Shohl LLP (Huntington)

Firm

National law firm with a Tax, Benefits, and Wealth Planning practice group covering estate planning, trust and estate administration, and fiduciary services. Huntington office serves clients across West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Location

611 Third AvenueHuntington, WV 25701

Phone

(304) 529-6181

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningTrustsEstate AdministrationEstate Tax PlanningBusiness SuccessionFiduciary Services
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Thomas E. McIntire & Associates, L.C.

Firm

Headquartered in Wheeling, Thomas E. McIntire & Associates serves all of West Virginia with comprehensive estate planning including wills, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and special needs planning.

Location

82 1/2 14th StreetWheeling, WV 26003

Phone

(304) 232-8600

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbatePowers Of AttorneySpecial Needs Planning
Free consultationVisit site

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC (Wheeling)

Firm

Steptoe & Johnson is a major regional law firm established in 1913. The Wheeling office opened in 1994 and occupies the historic Fort Henry Building. Provides Private Client / Wealth Management services including estate planning, trusts, and probate.

Location

1324 Chapline Street, Suite 100Wheeling, WV 26003

Phone

(304) 233-0000

Established

1913

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsPowers Of AttorneySpecial Needs PlanningCharitable GivingEstate Tax PlanningProbateEstate AdministrationBusiness Succession
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Dinsmore & Shohl LLP (Wheeling)

Firm

National law firm with a Tax, Benefits, and Wealth Planning practice group covering estate planning, trust and estate administration, and fiduciary services. Wheeling office serves clients across West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

Location

2100 Market Street, Bennett SquareWheeling, WV 26003

Phone

(304) 230-1700

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningTrustsEstate AdministrationEstate Tax PlanningBusiness SuccessionFiduciary Services
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Robinson & McElwee PLLC (Wheeling)

Firm

Northern Panhandle office of Robinson & McElwee. The firm's Wealth Transfer Planning practice covers estate planning, trusts, and business succession across West Virginia and eastern Ohio.

Location

2001 Main Street, Suite 203Wheeling, WV 26003

Phone

(304) 344-5800

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsEstate Tax PlanningBusiness SuccessionWealth Transfer Planning
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Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC

Firm

Multi-office West Virginia law firm with a dedicated estate and trust law practice. Counsel Richard R. Marsh focuses on trust and estate planning, administration, and litigation, and is recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates.

Location

48 Donley Street, Suite 501Morgantown, WV 26501

Phone

(304) 598-0788

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningTrustsEstate LitigationProbateEstate Administration
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Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner, PLLC

Firm

The largest firm in southern West Virginia practicing estate planning, established in 1931 and serving clients for nearly a century. Offices in Princeton and Charleston.

Location

206 South Walker StreetPrinceton, WV 24740

Phone

(304) 898-8499

Established

1931

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsEstate Tax PlanningProbate
Free consultationVisit site

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC (Martinsburg)

Firm

Steptoe & Johnson is a major regional law firm established in 1913 with 18 offices across 7 states. Their Private Client/Wealth Management group provides comprehensive estate planning services. The Martinsburg office has served the Eastern Panhandle since 1990.

Location

1250 Edwin Miller Boulevard, Suite 300Martinsburg, WV 25404

Phone

(304) 263-6991

Established

1913

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsPowers Of AttorneySpecial Needs PlanningCharitable GivingEstate Tax PlanningProbateEstate AdministrationBusiness Succession
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Summers & Associates

Firm

A Parkersburg firm serving both West Virginia and Ohio with estate planning, probate, and guardianship services. Helps clients avoid probate, reduce tax burdens, and protect assets through trusts and comprehensive estate plans.

Location

3301 Dudley AvenueParkersburg, WV 26104

Phone

(304) 420-0975

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsProbateGuardianshipConservatorshipEstate Administration
Free consultationVisit site

Isner Law Office

Firm

A comprehensive estate planning firm in Elkins with over 24 years of experience, offering a full range of trust and estate services including special needs trusts, business succession planning, and estate-related litigation.

Location

44 S. Randolph AvenueElkins, WV 26241

Phone

(304) 636-7681

Service Area

Statewide

Estate PlanningWillsTrustsPowers Of AttorneyEstate Tax PlanningBusiness SuccessionAsset ProtectionSpecial Needs Planning
Free consultationVisit site

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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Legal Sources

Data sourced from West Virginia statutes and official state code. How we research.

Frequently Asked Questions

You open probate by filing a petition with the Circuit Court in Monongalia County, attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee (about $251). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.

Total probate costs on a $500,000 estate run about $32,850 statewide in West Virginia. For Monongalia County, that means filing fees (about $251 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.

Yes. The Circuit Court in Monongalia County accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.

Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The West Virginia self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.

A simple West Virginia probate typically closes in 6–9 months; average estates run 9–15 months. The mandatory creditor-claim period accounts for much of that, so even uncontested estates rarely close quickly.

A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Monongalia County probate.