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West Virginia Probate Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for West Virginia on
Q: What is the first step to take if the executor (trustee) is not providing funds to a minor that was sole beneficiary

My father died and left all of his assets to my son. Our home(which the executor took and sold) and money which the will stated was to be put into a trust account and used to take care of all of my son's needs until he is 18 and the remainder is to be put into a trust account and not to be... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for West Virginia on
Q: Stepmother died. Stepmother and father had reciprocal wills. Stepbrother went in house is withholding signed will

Sherriff office says need executrix to be certified by probate before they will allow her in to seek the signed will. Probate office says need signed will in order to certify executrix. This is circular and we need help. Thank you.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for West Virginia on
Q: My husband passed away 5 years ago. He had large hospital bills, if I stop paying them, can I be sued
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

The responsibility for a deceased spouse's debts can vary significantly depending on where you live, as laws differ by state, especially between community property states and common law states. In community property states, you may be liable for your spouse's debts incurred during the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Estate Planning and Probate for West Virginia on
Q: Can daughters lawyer filed law suit against me to go after my mom's estate my daughter is not in will and I only one.

I was not in court meeting daughter filed illegal guardianship over me she was awarded money. Can lawyer go after this money I am executor of the will do it have standing

.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 4, 2024

If your daughter's lawyer has filed a lawsuit against you with the intention of accessing your mother's estate, and you are the sole executor and beneficiary as per the will, the situation requires careful legal handling. Even if your daughter is not named in the will, she may seek a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for West Virginia on
Q: If you're incarcerated can you still keep your inheritance that you inherited in the will
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Dec 19, 2022

Being in prison does not forfeit your rights of inheritance. But it is difficult to get what is yours. Hire a competent lawyer to assert your claims, and be cognizant of Exemption Rights if there are claims against you. The lawyer can hold your money in trust until you get out on Parole.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for West Virginia on
Q: I am from WV. My dad died recently. I need to know if everyone that dies has to be probated?
Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Oct 6, 2022

The purpose of probate is to retitle assets owned by a deceased person. If a person dies owning nothing, then no probate is required (with vary rare exceptions). This may sound impossible to you, but actually it is surprisingly common.

A perfect example is the person who engaged in...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for West Virginia on
Q: Father died 4 yrs ago in Oct. in WV. Will left the 3 kids a small house ($15,000 +). The will was filed but probate

papers never filed. Can the house be sold?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 25, 2022

Have a WV attorney search the Title, determine Heriship, and draft/record an Affidavit of Heirship as a source of Title. Those owners should be able to sell the home. If minors, the Court will have to approve the conveyance. Someone has to pay the taxes and any secured debt, or the home will be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for West Virginia on
Q: Husband inherited half a house, his sister won't buy out or sell and lives there. What can he do?

Husband and his sister inherited a house in West Virginia after their mom died in 2017. Sister had been living in the house since then and doesn't want to sell or buy out his half. Plus she has made the house much worse condition since it was left to him. Husband and I live in Arizona. What... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Dec 28, 2021

Assuming there is sufficient equity, a suit for an Sale For Partition should be filed. Hire a competent WV attorney that knows real property litigation.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for West Virginia on
Q: What happens at probate?

If someone passes away and has real estate only listed in their name, and has no will. What happens to the property? Deceased has surviving husband and two adult daughters. But real estate only in her name.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Sep 29, 2021

Her Heirs-At-Law took title to the real property at her death. Hire a WV to determine heirship and record an Affidavit of Heirship. A title search should be performed also.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for West Virginia on
Q: When you file a Small Estate Affadavit in SC do you have to pay the deceasedoutstanding bills

My dad passed in SC his wife passed in 2019 and I’m his only child. He only had some furniture a few drums and $2800 in bank and maybe $800 retirement…

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jun 28, 2021

It may not be prudent to Probate the Estate at all. An Affidavit of Heirship may be enough to get ahold of his property. If the debts are significant, sometimes it is better to let the Bank keep the money, than Probate it and pay out all of it. Consult with a competent SC attorney.

Q: My grandpa died and almost a year later his will was changed.

The will stated that if my dad dies everything goes to my step mom but my dad died before my grandpa so that doesnt make any sense and I was told by granpda when he passed the house was to be sold and split between grandkids but we are not mentioned at all in this will

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 2, 2021

A West Virginia attorney could advise best here, but your post remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry for the loss of your grandfather. You could repost your question and add Probate and Estate Planning as categories, as you mention a will. There's no guarantee all posts are picked up, but... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for West Virginia on
Q: WV law states that a will must be signed in front of two witnesses. Would the spouse's and notary's count as two?
Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Sep 13, 2019

No. An interested party cannot be a witness, nor can the notary. Find two individuals who are unrelated, not inheriting under the will, and not also serving as notary.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for West Virginia on
Q: Regarding Non Probate - I'm seeing that includes Life Insurance that pays out to someone other than the executor or adm

What is policy for Life Insurance paid to the Executrix?

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Sep 10, 2019

It is hard to understand what your question actually is, but life insurance is handled outside of probate. Whoever was named as the beneficiary of the policy gets the proceeds, period. It makes no difference whether that individual happens to be the executrix of the decedent's will or not.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for West Virginia on
Q: Re; Probate in WV .. My Father passed leaving me Executor and only Benificiary. Problem getting access to house

Will reads; hereby give, devise and bequeath all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, real, personal and mixed, whersoever situate of which I may die, seized and posessed ... Problem is his wife of a few short years (who cheated on him) he lost all trust in her, but she won't leave... View More

Jingzhan Wang
Jingzhan Wang
answered on Dec 12, 2018

where is the house in question located?

1 Answer | Asked in Wrongful Death and Probate for West Virginia on
Q: Can i take my dads estate to surpream court if i feel there are attorneys doing things wrong on my dads estate

I have never been through this and my grandma is dirty i want something done my attorney isnt helping me i want tgis taken higher and im not satisfied with any of it

D. Michael Burke
D. Michael Burke
answered on Feb 2, 2018

There is no way to answer your question without more information. When did your father die? Did he leave a will? Was his death due to natural causes, or as a result of a wrongful act? Is your grandmother the personal representative of the estate? Who are the attorneys, whom do they represent, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for West Virginia on
Q: My aunt in west Virginia had passed and left her estate to her friend. My brother and I are her lawful heirs

Is this something that can be reversed with legal counsel? I don't want family heirlooms, such as furnature, jewelry, albums, or the home to be sold off to the highest bidder.

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Dec 11, 2017

If her will is submitted to probate, and the court approves it, then the executor must follow it. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to consult a WV probate attorney who can review the facts, whether your aunt was mentally competent, whether the friend exerted undue influence, etc. You could file a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for West Virginia on
Q: My brother is not having the will probated after two months. I am watchdog in WV. How long do I have to wait or can I.

My mom told me in hospital he would leave me in the street and be careful so I have kept the original will. I called mom's lawyer and set it up. He has received much from my mom and now he is very upset mom willed me the house and part of another one. I tried to talk to him and he was very... View More

Ben F Meek III
Ben F Meek III
answered on Feb 22, 2017

If I have understand your question, your mom made a will and entrusted it to you to have it probated. You can present the will for probate yourself. Get an experienced probate lawyer to represent you. He or she can take all the heat off of you and keep anyone from running over you. If you live out... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Insurance Defense and Probate for West Virginia on
Q: I was divorced in 2014 and my ex remarried. He was ordered to pay spousal suppost for 6 years and to keep an insurance

policy in the estate of him and he passed and no estate has been filed and insurance paid claim with a good faith letter to someone other than his estate. Do I have a leg to stand on? Is his wife liable for this? Is insurance company liable

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Aug 4, 2016

A lot will depend on the divorce decree and it's intention. Start by talking to the lawyer who you had for the divorce.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for West Virginia on
Q: My grandmother passed away a few days ago. The house the lived in was purchased under their company name.

My mother is sole owner of company. There was no will, so does the house and it's contents go to my mother?

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Oct 31, 2015

If the company is a corporation, or a LLC, the company would belong to your mother, not your grandmother. I've looked at this question several times, and can't see any reason why the grandmother's estate would have any claim to the property. The fact that the grandmother merely... View More

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