What to do when someone dies in West Virginia

West Virginia has no estate tax, which makes the financial picture relatively clean. Probate runs through the County Commission — an unusual structure compared to most states, which use a dedicated probate court or circuit court.

What this guide covers

How probate works in this state
Estate and inheritance taxes
Surviving spouse rights and protections
Small estate shortcuts and affidavit thresholds
Step-by-step checklist for your family

Order walks your family through every task — from filing the will with the court to closing the final accounts. Use it to stay organized, assign tasks to family members, and make sure nothing gets missed.