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.
Virginia's laws of intestate succession state that when a person dies leaving a spouse and children, one-third of the person's assets pass to the spouse and two-thirds of the person's assets pass to the children. If a person does not have any children, all of the assets pass to the spouse.
To qualify as a personal representative and executor under Virginia inheritance law without a will in place, you will need to take a copy of the death certificate to the circuit court and swear an oath on the record.
Any person who seeks to prove that he has a debt or demand against the decedent or the decedent's estate shall file his claim in writing with the commissioner of accounts, who shall endorse upon it the date of the filing and sign the endorsement in his official character.
Property transfer without a will: In Virginia, if someone dies without a will (intestate), the state's laws of intestate succession determine how their property is transferred. The order of inheritance typically prioritizes the surviving spouse, followed by children, parents, and other relatives.
The timeframe for settling an estate in Virginia depends on several factors, such as the size and complexity of the deceased's assets and whether any disputes arise. Generally, probate takes at least six months after opening. However, many estates can take much longer.
What's Included in A Small Estate Affidavit? Provide the name of the person who died and the date of the death. State that the value of the assets in the estate is less than $50,000. State that at least 60 days have passed since the death. State that no application to appoint a personal representative has been granted.
When someone dies without a will in Virginia, intestate succession laws determine who receives their property and assets. These laws generally allow your closest living relatives to inherit from your estate: If you have children and no spouse, your children inherit everything.
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.