Can You Self-File Probate in Monongalia County, West Virginia?
West Virginia has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableW.Va. Code § 44-12-1 (clerk of the county commission admits wills and qualifies executors and administrators in vacation, ex parte); § 44-1-4(a) (the county commission or its clerk during recess)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. In Monongalia County, the petition is filed at the Monongalia County Circuit Court.
In principle, yes, but West Virginia has no standardized statewide probate form, so the opening petition filed in Monongalia County is drafted as a formal legal pleading. Most self-filers in this position work with an attorney; a qualifying small estate is simpler to handle. The estate settlement plan tracks each Monongalia County filing step alongside the estate's accounts and deadlines.
File at the Circuit Court, Monongalia County Justice Center, 75 High Street, Suite 12, Morgantown, WV 26505. Phone: 1-304-291-7240. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM.
Monongalia County does not offer probate e-filing. Confirm the paper or mail filing rules with the Circuit Court.
The West Virginia court filing fee is $76 - $226 (based on estate value)W. Va. Code §§ 44-3A-42, 59-1-10, 5A-8-15, 44-2-1Verified Oct 17, 2026, and publication of the creditor notice is a separate cost set by the newspaper. West Virginia requires a bond of the personal representative by defaultW.Va. Code § 44-1-6 (bond required unless excused by § 44-1-8); § 44-1-7 (penalty at least the full value of the personal estate); § 44-1-8 (will may direct no bond; no surety for a sole distributee)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, so a bond premium is a cost too unless the will or the heirs waive it. The filing fee is a fraction of what probate costs with counsel: attorney fees are the largest line, and self-filing removes that line while court costs, publication and executor compensation stay the same.
A simple estate in West Virginia typically takes 6 months to 9 months. The creditor claim period of 2 monthsW.Va. Code § 44-1-14a(a)(7) (sixty days from the date of first publication); § 44-3A-4(b) (the same sixty days in fiduciary-supervisor counties)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source is the floor: final distribution waits for it to run. Self-filed probate takes the same time as attorney-filed probate; the court's calendar, not the filer, sets the pace.
Self-File Probate Assessment in Nearby Counties
- More West Virginia counties: Mingo County (Williamson) · Monroe County (Union)
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Forms for Settling an Estate in West Virginia
Free forms for settling an estate in West Virginia: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form.
Notice to Creditors
In West Virginia, the notice to creditors is published for 2W. Va. Code §§ 44-1-14a, 44-2-4, 44-2-21, 44-2-26Verified Oct 19, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 2 monthsW.Va. Code § 44-1-14a(a)(7) (sixty days from the date of first publication); § 44-3A-4(b) (the same sixty days in fiduciary-supervisor counties)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In West Virginia, a person named as personal representative may refuse the appointmentW. Va. Code § 44-1-2Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Small Estate Affidavit
In West Virginia, the Small Estate AffidavitW.Va. Code § 44-1A-2Verified Sep 9, 2026View source covers estates with personal property of $50,000W.Va. Code § 44-1A-2Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less, 60 daysW.Va. Code § 44-1A-2Verified Sep 9, 2026View source after death, filed with the court.
Estate Inventory
In West Virginia, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysW. Va. Code § 44-1-14Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In West Virginia, the personal representative is discharged by court orderW. Va. Code §§ 44-3A-4a(e), 44-2-1Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and no final accounting is required.
IRS Form 1310
Claim a refund due a deceased taxpayer on the official form, on the box the form routes you to, with what the form says to attach.
Tools for Settling an Estate in West Virginia
Free tools for settling an estate in West Virginia: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
West Virginia sets executor compensation by statute — about $20,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 4.0%W.Va. Code § 44-4-12a(a) (5% first $100K, 4% to $400K, 3% to $800K, 2% above $800K, on personal estate and real estate sold); §§ 44-4-12a(b) (unsold real estate 1%), 44-4-12a(d), 44-4-12a(f)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
How Do I Get Letters Testamentary?
In West Virginia, the Clerk of the county commission issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration once the County Commission appoints the personal representative; an informal (registrar) track is availableW.Va. Code § 44-12-1 (clerk of the county commission admits wills and qualifies executors and administrators in vacation, ex parte); § 44-1-4(a) (the county commission or its clerk during recess)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In West Virginia, the 2 monthsW.Va. Code § 44-1-14a(a)(7) (sixty days from the date of first publication); § 44-3A-4(b) (the same sixty days in fiduciary-supervisor counties)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source period after first publication of the creditor notice protects a representative who distributes after it; late claims can still reach undistributed assets.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, West Virginia pays the claims in 7W. Va. Code § 44-2-21Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.
How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property?
In West Virginia, a deceased owner's unclaimed property is claimed from the West Virginia State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property DivisionW. Va. Code Chapter 36, Article 8 (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); 36-8-15Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. A claim needs a completed and signed claim form, photo identification, and a legal document listing the claimant's Social Security numberHow to Complete a Claim (wvunclaimedproperty.gov)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Social Security Survivor Benefits Can I Get?
Which Social Security survivor benefit a spouse, former spouse, child or parent can get, what share it pays, and the lump-sum death payment.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
In West Virginia, the personal representative lists the estate's personal property at its fair market value as of the date of deathW. Va. Code § 44-1-14Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, on the inventory filed within 90 daysW. Va. Code § 44-1-14Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of the appointment.
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West Virginia Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering West Virginia probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.