How Much Does a Will Cost in Virginia?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Virginia costs about $31,936 — roughly 6% of estate value — including attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs.Va. Code § 64.2-601 (small estate $75K threshold and 60-day waiting period), § 64.2-600 (small asset definition, personal property only, real property excluded), § 64.2-1208 (fiduciary compensation; reasonable, no statutory percentage), § 64.2-504 (bond requirement), § 64.2-505 (bond waiver by will), § 64.2-508 (notice to heirs/beneficiaries within 30 days; no newspaper publication), § 64.2-529 (PR liability protection after 12 months from qualification), § 64.2-550 (creditor proof-of-debts hearing before commissioner of accounts; newspaper publication required), § 64.2-1200 (Commissioner of Accounts), § 64.2-1300 (inventory due within 4 months of qualification), § 64.2-1304 (PR accountings to commissioner of accounts; first account due within 16 months of qualification), § 58.1-1712 (state probate tax $0.10/$100; $15K exemption), § 58.1-1718 (optional local probate tax = 1/3 of state tax), § 17.1-275(A)(3) (circuit court qualification fees: $20/$25/$30 by estate value tier; $5K or less no fee); law.lis.virginia.gov; vacourts.govVerified Jul 14, 2026 These costs are paid by the estate before assets transfer to beneficiaries, reducing the total inheritance. Estimate the full cost with the Virginia probate calculator.

A will does not avoid probate in Virginia — probate is the court-supervised process that validates the will, pays debts, and distributes assets. Estates under $75,000 may qualify for a simplified small-estate procedure instead of full probate. A revocable living trust transfers assets to beneficiaries without probate at any estate size.

Online will services cost $30-$300 upfront compared to $1,311-$2,622 for an attorney in Virginia. Either way, the will goes through the same probate process. Total cost depends on subscription fees, amendment charges, and the eventual probate expenses heirs will pay.

Life events like marriage, divorce, or having a child require updating your will. Some online providers require purchasing a new document. Attorney amendments in Virginia cost $377 to $754 for minor changes and $1,508 to $3,016 for major restructuring.

Virginia has specific requirements for executing a valid will, including witness and notary rules. A will that does not meet these requirements may not be accepted during probate. See the full requirements with the Virginia signing requirements tool.