Add Required Fillable Fields Legal Virginia Life Documents Newly Widowed Forms For Free

If you're worried about what can happen if you or someone you love becomes sick or dies, now is a good time to make or update important documents, like a will, a trust, a power of attorney, and an advance health care directive.

The seven key documents are the Last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Directive or Living Will, Revocable Living Trust, Personal Property Memorandum, Letter of Intent, and Designated Beneficiary forms.

In an emergency, it's crucial to have a few essential legal estate documents readily accessible, such as a Last Will and Testament, Advance Healthcare Directive, Durable Power of Attorney (aka Financial Power of Attorney), and Living Will.

Common non-probate assets include: Life insurance proceeds or pension benefits payable to a named beneficiary. Assets such as a home owned with someone else in joint tenancy or tenancy by the entirety. Assets with a listed beneficiary outside of the deceased person's will such as an IRA or payable-on-death bank account.

A: The following persons are entitled to receive notice of probate: the surviving spouse of the decedent, if any; all heirs at law of the decedent, whether or not there is a will; all living and ascertained beneficiaries under the will of the decedent and the beneficiaries of any trust created by the will; and.

In Virginia, you are entitled to a family allowance, an exempt property claim, a homestead allowance, and an elective share of your deceased spouse's augmented estate.

The Commonwealth of Virginia does not have a specific timeline for when you should initiate probate, but it recommends that, within 30 days of the death, you should contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the decedent lived or your attorney.

If there is a will, and an executor or executors is named in the will, the person or persons specified will qualify. If there is a will, but no executor is named or the specified executor refuses or ceases to serve, the circuit court may grant administration to an alternate executor or a beneficiary of the will.

In Virginia, an estate will need to be probated when a person dies with property valued at more than $50,000. So, to avoid probate, you must either have a very small estate or take steps to ensure that your assets transfer automatically to beneficiaries.