Search King and Queen Probate Records

King and Queen County probate court records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in King and Queen Court House. The clerk's office is the first place to go if you want to search for wills, estate files, or guardian papers. You can look up probate court records in person, by mail, or by phone. King and Queen County is one of the smaller counties in Virginia by population, but the clerk holds files that go back to the 1860s. Earlier records were lost in a courthouse fire. Staff can help you find what survives.

King and Queen Circuit Court Clerk

The Clerk of the Circuit Court in King and Queen County manages all probate court records for this rural county on the Middle Peninsula. The office handles will probate, qualifies executors and administrators, and keeps guardian files. You can come in or write ahead to set up a meeting. Call first since the office is small. Staff can pull books for you once you give them a name.

The clerk is a constitutional officer with an eight-year term. Under Virginia Code Title 64.2, the King and Queen County clerk has the power to probate wills and qualify personal representatives. The office also records deeds, issues marriage licenses, and keeps court files.

Searching King and Queen Probate Records

There are a few ways to search probate court records in King and Queen County. The most direct way is to walk into the clerk's office and ask to see will books. Staff can pull a book once you give them a name and a year. You can also send a written request by mail with the full name of the decedent and the date of death.

For older files, the Library of Virginia holds microfilm of King and Queen County will books and chancery papers. The county lost many older records in fires, so the library is often the best source for 19th century material. Some files are indexed for free on FamilySearch. Check there before making a trip.

Virginia Code Section 64.2-444 says probate court records are open to the public after a will has been admitted. Certified copies from the clerk cost $0.50 per page plus a $2 seal fee. These copies serve as legal proof for banks and title firms.

What to Bring for Probate

When you go to the King and Queen County Circuit Court to start probate, bring the right papers. The clerk cannot move ahead without them. Here is what to have ready before you visit:

• A certified copy of the death certificate
• The original signed will
• A list of heirs with names, addresses, and relations
• A list of Virginia real estate with values
• A guess of the value of personal property
• Cash, check, or card to pay fees and tax

If the will is self-proving with a notarized statement, no witnesses need to come in. If it is not self-proving, the witnesses must testify or send a sworn statement. Virginia Code Section 64.2-452 sets these proof rules. They apply in King and Queen County and across the state.

King and Queen Probate Fees

Probate in King and Queen County has set costs. The state probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of estate value. You pay this when you qualify as the personal representative. Some counties add a small local tax on top.

Recording fees depend on length. A will of ten pages or less is $18. Eleven to thirty pages is $32. Anything longer costs more. The full chart lives on the Virginia courts fiduciary forms page. Qualification fees range from $0 for very small estates up to $30 for larger ones.

After qualification, you must file an inventory with the Commissioner of Accounts within four months. Virginia Code Section 64.2-1300 sets the rules. The Commissioner reviews the list and all later accounts. You can pull forms in advance from the Virginia probate forms portal.

Note: Call the King and Queen clerk at (804) 785-5000 to confirm fees before you file.

Types of Probate Court Records

The King and Queen County Circuit Court keeps a range of probate court records. Wills, inventories, bonds, fiduciary accounts, and guardian files are all in the clerk's care. These files show how local families passed land and goods to their heirs over time.

Will books in King and Queen County hold the last wishes of past residents. Inventories list every asset owned at the time of death. Old files may include farm land, timber rights, and household goods. Fiduciary accounts show how an executor handled the estate's money over time. Bond records prove that a personal representative posted the required security before taking charge of the estate.

Guardian and conservator records round out the probate court files. The Virginia Bar Association estate guide breaks down each record type in plain words. State and federal estate tax info can be found on the Virginia Department of Taxation site and the IRS estate tax page.

Legal Help in King and Queen

Probate has rules that can trip up new executors. The clerk's office can answer questions about steps and forms but cannot give legal advice. If you want help with your duties, talk to a lawyer. The Virginia State Bar has a referral line that can match you with a probate attorney.

For low-cost help, Virginia Legal Aid may step in if you meet income limits. The Virginia Bar Association also has a free guide to estate work that walks through each step.

The Virginia Judicial System portal has an overview of how probate works in the state. You can use it to learn about deadlines, forms, and the duties of personal representatives.

The portal lists forms used in Virginia probate cases, including those filed in the King and Queen Circuit Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties sit near King and Queen County. Each one has its own Circuit Court that handles probate court records.