Estate Planning & Probate in Pendleton County, West Virginia
Most Pendleton County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. Pick the path that fits, then work from the local Circuit Court 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 Pendleton County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Pendleton County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Pendleton County→The Probate Process in Pendleton 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 Pendleton County, probate runs through the Circuit Court at Pendleton County Courthouse, 10 South Main Street, Franklin. The court sits in the Twenty-Sixth Judicial Circuit. Pendleton County shares the Twenty-Sixth Judicial Circuit with Hampshire and Hardy.
Full Pendleton Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Circuit Court
Pendleton County · Twenty-Sixth Judicial Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Pendleton County · County Clerk · Elise Miller White
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
$32 for the first 5 pages plus $1 for each page beyond 5; required form fees may include Sales Listing Form (Declaration of Consideration or Value) ($0); TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt.
Full recording details →Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
Frequently Asked Questions
The Circuit Court for Pendleton County is located in Franklin, West Virginia. Full address, phone, hours, and e-filing details are listed on this page.
Yes. E-filing is available but optional in Pendleton County. Many families filing without an attorney prefer paper filing at the Circuit Court; both are accepted.
No. West Virginia allows estates under $50,000 to use a Small Estate Affidavit and skip formal probate. The waiting period is 60 days after death. Use the West Virginia probate decision tool to see if the estate qualifies.
When there is no will, West Virginia's intestate succession rules decide who inherits. Spouses, children, and parents are prioritized in that order. The Pendleton County probate court applies the state rules without variation. See who inherits in West Virginia for the exact order.
A revocable living trust is the cleanest way for most families to skip probate entirely. Assets titled to the trust pass to beneficiaries without court involvement, filing fees, or the Pendleton County probate docket. Create a revocable trust online to avoid putting your family through this process later.
West Virginia Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Pendleton County.
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