West Virginia Executor and Estate Kit: the $50,000 Small Estate Route After 60 Days, First Month Checklist and Estate Ledger

Who it is for

Whoever is settling the estate of someone who lived in West Virginia. Filed with a county office. Tendered to the clerk of the county commission (or the fiduciary supervisor).

Not the right fit if

The person didn't live in or own property in West Virginia, or a will contest or family dispute means you need an estate attorney. Not a form preparation or legal service.

Why it is different

• Sources, checked November 2026: W. Va. Code 44-1A, West Virginia Small Estate Act (West Virginia Legislature); W. Va. Code Chapter 41, Article 1, Making of Wills (West Virginia Legislature).
• 2 facts aren't stated on those pages, so the kit says so and links where to check.

What is inside

• West Virginia small estate route. Personal property (motor vehicles included) worth no more than $50,000, and no probate real property. Real estate in the person's name alone takes the estate out of this procedure. 60 days. Sixty days after the death; 30 days if the successor is the nominated personal representative. Signed before a notary. Made on oath under penalty of perjury; the statutory form has a notary jurat. Filed with a county office. Tendered to the clerk of the county commission (or the fiduciary supervisor).
• How a West Virginia will had to be signed. Two witnesses present at the same time, who sign in the testator's presence and each other's. Witnesses can sign affidavits at the testator's request before any officer authorized to administer oaths. Keep them with the will. They can't be used if the will is contested. Recognized. Witnesses aren't needed for a will wholly in the testator's handwriting. A gift to a witness, or to a witness's spouse, is void. A witness who would inherit anyway keeps up to the value of the gift.
• West Virginia estate ledger (Excel). Assets, debts, payments and distributions; it compares the countable assets with $50,000, dates day 60 after the death and flags real estate in the person's name alone, which rules the route out.
• First 30 days, tracker and letters. The first month in order with day 60 marked, a documents and accounts tracker, and plain letters to a bank, a utility and Social Security.
• Still to confirm in West Virginia. official form, simplified court procedure: check W. Va. Code 44-1A, West Virginia Small Estate Act (West Virginia Legislature).