What documents need to be filed with the court?

In Virginia, a legal representative of an estate must file certain documents with the court in order to obtain a grant of probate. This includes a Petition for Probate, an Inventory & Appraisement, rights of survivorship paperwork, and the decedent’s last Will and Testament. The Petition for Probate serves as an official request to the court confirming that a decedent’s estate should be opened and that an executor of the estate should be appointed. It also includes critical information about the decedent, such as their name, date of death, and the location of the decedent’s last Will and Testament. The Inventory & Appraisement document requires an accounting of the decedent’s assets. This includes items such as real estate, cash, securities, bank accounts, and tangible personal property such as jewelry and furniture. If the decedent’s assets passed to individuals through rights of survivorship, then additional paperwork must be filed with the court. This includes any deeds, titles, bank statements, and other records verifying the right of survivorship. Finally, the decedent’s last Will and Testament must be filed with the court. This document outlines the final wishes of the decedent, including who will inherit their property and who will manage their estate. Without this document, the court may be unable to determine the rightful heirs of the decedent’s property. These documents must be filed with the court in order for a legal representative to be granted the authority to administer the decedent’s estate. Without proper documentation, the court may deny the request for probate.

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