Search Pulaski County Probate Records

Pulaski County probate court records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in the town of Pulaski. You can search wills, estate inventories, and fiduciary accounts at the clerk's office on Main Street. The court holds files for residents of Pulaski County and the surrounding New River Valley area. Anyone can request to view a will once it has been admitted to probate. Records can be looked up by name, date, or case number. The clerk's staff can help you find what you need if you give them basic facts about the estate.

Pulaski Circuit Court Clerk

The Clerk of the Circuit Court in Pulaski County manages all probate court records for the area. The office takes in wills, qualifies executors, and keeps fiduciary accounts on file. You can call ahead to set up a probate appointment. The clerk also records deeds, marriage licenses, and civil case files, but probate has its own division within the clerk's office.

The clerk is a constitutional officer who serves an eight-year term. Under Virginia Code Title 64.2, the clerk has the power to probate wills and qualify personal representatives. This applies the same way in Pulaski as in every other Virginia circuit court. The Pulaski office sits in the heart of the county seat and serves all residents of the New River Valley.

Call (540) 980-7825 before your visit to confirm hours and book a probate slot. Walk-ins may face a long wait.

How to Search Pulaski Probate Records

There are a few ways to look up probate court records in Pulaski County. The fastest is to visit the clerk's office in person. Staff can pull will books and estate files for you. You can also send a written request by mail. Make sure to include the full name of the person who died and the year of death. This helps the clerk find the right file.

For older records, the Library of Virginia holds microfilm copies of Pulaski County will books and estate papers. Some files have been digitized through FamilySearch, which offers free access to indexed wills and admin records. Pulaski County was formed in 1839, so its records start from that year. Earlier files for the area are kept in Montgomery and Wythe counties.

Virginia Code Section 64.2-444 lays out who can ask to view a will. Any person with an interest in the estate has a right to see it. Certified copies cost a small fee per page plus a flat certification fee. The clerk can tell you the current rates when you call.

What You Need for Probate

When you go to the Pulaski County Circuit Court to start probate, bring the right items. Missing documents can stop the process. The clerk's office has a checklist on hand, but here is what to bring:

• A certified copy of the death certificate
• The original will, not a copy
• A list of heirs with names, addresses, and how they relate to the deceased
• A list of all real estate owned in Virginia with values
• The value of personal property held in the deceased's name only
• Payment for taxes and fees

If the will is self-proving with a notary affidavit, witnesses do not need to come. If not, two witnesses must give sworn statements. Virginia Code Section 64.2-452 sets the rules for proving a will. Out-of-state executors must name a Virginia resident as agent for service of process under state law.

Types of Records Held in Pulaski

The Pulaski County Circuit Court keeps a wide range of probate court records. Will books contain the last wishes of residents. Estate inventories list the property a person owned at death. Fiduciary accounts show how an executor handled the estate's money. Bond records prove the personal representative posted security with the court.

Guardianship and conservatorship files are also part of the probate records. When a minor child inherits property or an adult cannot manage their affairs, the court appoints someone to act for them. The clerk keeps these files. Anyone with a real interest can ask to see them. The Virginia Bar Association estate guide walks through the different record types in more detail.

Estate files in Pulaski go back to 1839. The county has kept good records for most of its history, though some files have been damaged by age. Researchers should check both the original books and microfilm copies when possible.

Legal Help in Pulaski

Probate law can be hard to follow. The clerk's staff can answer basic questions about forms and filing. But they cannot give legal advice. If you need help with your duties as an executor, talk to a lawyer. The Virginia State Bar has a referral service that can match you with a probate attorney. Call 1-800-552-7977 to get started.

Lower-cost help is also out there. Virginia Legal Aid serves residents who meet income limits. The Virginia Bar Association puts out a free guide to estate work that covers each step of the process.

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

This site lists all the forms used in Virginia probate cases, including those filed in Pulaski County.

Fees and Taxes

The state charges a probate tax of 10 cents per $100 of estate value. Pulaski County may charge a small local tax on top. Recording fees depend on how long the document is. You can find current fiduciary forms on the Virginia courts site. The Virginia Department of Taxation handles state estate tax questions, and the IRS estate tax page covers federal rules.

Once qualified, the executor must file an inventory with the Commissioner of Accounts within four months. Virginia Code Section 64.2-1300 sets out the rules. The Commissioner reviews the inventory and all later accountings. Their fee is based on estate size.

Nearby Counties

These counties sit near Pulaski County. Each has its own Circuit Court that handles probate court records. The City of Radford also has its own court.