Free Tools and Information
for Lively, VA Consumers
- Virginia PROBATE COURT FINDER:
- How Probate Works in Virginia: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Lancaster County's probate court.
- Small Estates Procedures in Virginia: Learn how to use Virginia's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.
In Virginia you can use an Affidavit if the value of the probate estate is $50,000 or less (Probate estate doesn't count assets that pass by beneficiary, like life insurance, and retirement, and assets held in joint tenancy).
Va. Code Ann 64.2-601.
For real estate, if there's no Will, heirs, or personal representative can record Affidavit setting out names of heirs: clerk will send abstract of the Affidavit to the revenue comissioner, then real estate can be transferred.
Va. Code Ann 64.2-510.
- Virginia Estate Taxes:
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Virginia, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.
- Avoiding Probate in Virginia. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
- MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
- for Lancaster County, Virginia (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for May 15, 2024)
- Virginia BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Virginia law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy.
- Federal Exemptions available in Virginia?:
No. Va. Code Ann. § 34-3.1.
- Virginia Homestead Exemption
Must file homestead declaration before filing for bankruptcy
$5,000 plus $500 per dependent; rents & profits; sale proceeds exempt to $5,000 (husband & wife may double, unused portion of homestead may be applied to any personal property); if 65 or older, exemption is $10,000; an additional $25,000 exempt if property is primary residence.
- Virginia Vehicle Exemption
Motor vehicles to $10,000 total ($10,000 if needed for occupation or education)
- Virginia BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
- FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.
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