How to Settle a Parent's Estate in West Virginia and Handle Property in Another State
Settling a Parent's Estate in West Virginia and Handling Their Out-of-State Property: A Step-by-Step FAQ Short answer: Start by locating a will (if any) and filing the necessary probate paperwork in the West Virginia county where your parent was domiciled. Obtain appointment as the personal representative (executor/administrator), inventory and secure estate assets, notify creditors and […]
Read article →West Virginia: Steps to Transfer Property Title to a Child After a Spouse's Death
Steps to Change Real Property Ownership After an Owner Dies in West Virginia This FAQ-style guide explains how ownership of real estate typically transfers after the death of an owner, and what steps you may need to take so a child becomes the recorded owner. This is educational information only and not legal advice. Detailed […]
Read article →Do I Need a Transfer‑on‑Death Deed or Payable‑on‑Death Designation if My Will Leaves Everything to My Daughter? — West Virginia
Quick answer No — a will alone does not always remove the need for a transfer‑on‑death (TOD) deed or payable‑on‑death (POD) designation. In West Virginia, a will controls property that goes through probate, but many assets transfer outside probate by title, contract, or beneficiary designation. If you want your daughter to get specific accounts or […]
Read article →West Virginia: Reimbursing a Co‑Heir for an Appraisal Before an Estate Buyout
How to Handle Appraisal Costs When One Heir Buys Out Another in West Virginia Detailed Answer When heirs own real property jointly through an estate, valuing that property usually requires an appraisal. Whether the heir who paid for a recent appraisal can force the other co‑heir to reimburse that cost before completing a buyout depends […]
Read article →How to Transfer a Deceased Parent’s House to You and Your Siblings — West Virginia Guide
How to transfer a deceased parent's house to you and your siblings under West Virginia law Short answer: In West Virginia, if a parent dies without a will (intestate), title to the house generally passes to the heirs by operation of the state’s intestacy rules. To put the house into you and your siblings’ names […]
Read article →How to Take Over a Parent’s Mortgage in West Virginia
Step-by-step FAQ: Taking Over a Deceased Parent’s Mortgage in West Virginia Short answer: A mortgage does not disappear when the borrower dies. Under West Virginia law, the estate remains responsible for the loan, and anyone who inherits the house will take it subject to that mortgage unless they refinance or the lender agrees to an […]
Read article →Proving Paternity for Inheritance in West Virginia
Detailed Answer Short answer: To inherit from a deceased father whose name is not on your birth certificate, you must establish legal paternity under West Virginia law. That typically means creating a clear, court-recognized record that he is your father—usually through a voluntary acknowledgment, DNA testing with proper chain-of-custody, or a court paternity determination—and then […]
Read article →How to Protect an Inheritance in West Virginia When a Family Member Contests an Estate
Protecting an Inheritance in West Virginia When an Estate Is Contested Detailed answer — how contests work and practical steps to protect an inheritance This article explains common ways to reduce the risk that an inheritance is lost or reduced if a family member contests an estate in West Virginia. It uses general facts and […]
Read article →Becoming an Administrator of a Sibling’s Intestate Estate in West Virginia
Detailed Answer — Becoming an Administrator of an Intestate Estate in West Virginia When someone dies without a valid will (intestate) in West Virginia, the court appoints an administrator to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the remainder to the heirs under West Virginia law. If you want to be appointed as the administrator of […]
Read article →Notifying Heirs When Opening Probate in West Virginia: Required Notices and Practical Steps
Notifying Heirs during the Probate Opening Process in West Virginia Short answer: In West Virginia, you must provide notice to all persons with a legal interest in the estate (heirs, devisees, and other interested parties) through the probate filing and the clerk’s citation procedure. Additionally, you must publish notice for creditors. The exact steps and […]
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