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Amelia County, VA Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Amelia County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Amelia County Circuit Court, Clerk of the Circuit Court, 11th Judicial Circuit of Virginia |
| Courthouse address | 16441 Court Street, Courthouse Square, Amelia, VA 23002 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 237, Amelia, VA 23002-0237 |
| Phone | (804) 561-2128 |
| Fax | (804) 561-6364 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No lunch closure or probate intake cutoff is published by the clerk. |
| Probate tax and clerk charges | The Commonwealth probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of taxable value for estates over $15,000, effective July 1, 2003 (Va. Code § 58.1-1712). Qualification and recording charges are set by Va. Code § 17.1-275. A county may add a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax (Va. Code § 58.1-1718), so ask the Amelia clerk for the total when you contact the office. |
| Local forms | The Amelia clerk does not publish an Amelia County-specific probate packet, checklist, or cover sheet. Use the statewide Virginia Circuit Court forms. |
| Commissioner of accounts | J. Chris Southall, 16442 Court Street, P.O. Box 552, Amelia Court House, VA 23002, (804) 561-1446. The roster also lists Assistant Commissioner of Accounts David G. Moss, 9191 Washington St., P.O. Box 533, Amelia, VA 23002, (804) 561-2157. |
| VJEFS and public portal | VJEFS is for members of the Virginia State Bar and designated staff, and it is not the route for self-represented probate qualification. No free public portal displays Virginia estate files. |
| Remote appearance | No Amelia County remote qualification practice is published. Virginia circuit courts may allow remote participation in a civil proceeding at the court's discretion (Va. Code § 17.1-513.2), but qualification is handled with the clerk. |
| Court terms | Court convenes at 9:00 a.m. Term days are the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October, and December. |
| Website | https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/amelia/home |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you contact the Amelia County clerk, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, real estate, beneficiaries, and possible creditors. The clerk will need enough information to determine whether a will should be admitted, whether someone must qualify as personal representative, and what probate tax and clerk charges apply.
Sunset's estate settlement tools help families search across more than 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets, then organize what you find before you go to the clerk or the commissioner of accounts.
Which court handles jurisdiction
This page covers probate and estate settlement in Amelia County. Probate is handled at the Amelia County Circuit Court clerk's office in Amelia, not at a separate estate court.
Virginia venue is based first on the county or city where the decedent had a known place of residence (Va. Code § 64.2-443). If the decedent was in a nursing home or similar institution because of age or impaired health, Virginia presumes the legal residence stayed where it was before admission unless that presumption is rebutted.
The jurisdiction process
- Collect the original will, if there is one, a certified death certificate, asset information, names and addresses of heirs and beneficiaries, and any statewide forms that fit your situation.
- Contact the Amelia County Circuit Court clerk at (804) 561-2128 or go to the clerk's office at 16441 Court Street in Amelia during published hours to ask what the clerk wants before you present the will or qualify as personal representative.
- Present the will, if any, and the required information to the clerk. In Virginia, the clerk may admit the will and qualify the executor or administrator without a routine court hearing (Va. Code § 64.2-444).
- Pay the state probate tax, any applicable clerk charges, and any local probate tax if Amelia County has imposed one. The state probate tax is imposed under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, and a county may impose a local probate tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1718.
- File the list of heirs when required. A personal representative files the list at qualification, and a will proponent files it when a will is presented and nobody qualifies (Va. Code § 64.2-509).
- After qualification, send the required notice regarding estate to the people entitled to notice within 30 days, then record the affidavit of notice within four months (Va. Code § 64.2-508).
- If a contested issue or other court matter is set, follow the court's scheduling instructions. Virginia allows remote participation in a civil proceeding only when authorized by the court in its discretion (Va. Code § 17.1-513.2).
- Obtain certified certificates of qualification from the clerk when you need proof of authority to deal with banks, brokers, insurers, or buyers (Va. Code § 64.2-506; CC-1625).
- Send the inventory and accounts to the Amelia County commissioner of accounts, not to the clerk's counter. The inventory is due within four months after the order conferring authority (Va. Code § 64.2-1300), and the first account is due within 16 months of qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1304).
- Work with the commissioner of accounts until the estate settlement is ready to close, including any final account or statement in lieu that applies under Virginia law.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Amelia County
Amelia County does not publish a county-specific probate packet, checklist, or cover sheet. Use the statewide Virginia Circuit Court forms and ask the Amelia clerk which forms to bring for your particular appointment or counter visit.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| CC-1650, Probate Information Form | Information the clerk commonly needs for a probate or qualification appointment. |
| CC-1651, Probate Tax Return | Used when the estate exceeds $15,000, effective July 1, 2003, for the probate tax return required by Va. Code § 58.1-1714. |
| CC-1611, List of Heirs | Filed at qualification or when a will is presented and nobody qualifies (Va. Code § 64.2-509). |
| CC-1610, Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary for Service of Process | Used when a nonresident personal representative qualifies (Va. Code § 64.2-1426). |
| CC-1625, Certificate / Letter of Qualification | Certified authority document issued by the clerk (Va. Code § 64.2-506). |
| CC-1670, Inventory of Decedent's Estate | Filed with the commissioner of accounts after qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1300). |
| CC-1680, Account for Decedent's Estate | First account to the commissioner of accounts within 16 months of qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1304). |
| CC-1685, Small Estate Affidavit | Used with a holder of a small asset, not filed with the clerk, when the current $75,000 limit effective July 1, 2025 is met (Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 through 64.2-601). |
Local nuance
Amelia County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Separate commissioner office | The primary Amelia County commissioner of accounts is at 16442 Court Street, while the clerk's courthouse address is 16441 Court Street. After qualification, inventory and account filings go to the commissioner of accounts, not to the clerk's counter. |
| No published Amelia packet | The clerk's page and county site do not publish an Amelia County probate packet or cover sheet. Plan around the statewide CC forms and the clerk's instructions for your file. |
| Local probate tax should be checked with the clerk | The Commonwealth tax is set by Va. Code § 58.1-1712. A county may impose a local probate tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, so ask the Amelia clerk for the total tax and clerk charges before you bring payment. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Persona | Likely Amelia County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | If the decedent lived in Amelia County, start with the Amelia clerk to determine whether the will should be admitted and whether anyone must qualify. If the home passed outside administration, you may still need the list of heirs or other clerk recording step depending on title and the will. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts, and title issues so the spouse can ask the clerk focused questions and avoid opening a larger estate settlement than needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | An out-of-state child can serve if qualification is needed, but must sign the nonresident consent to service of process (CC-1610) and should expect a bond and surety discussion under Va. Code § 64.2-1426. If the personal probate estate fits the $75,000 small-estate affidavit limit effective July 1, 2025 (Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 through 64.2-601), the child may be able to collect assets without qualifying. | Sunset helps determine whether known assets fit the small-estate route and can generate an organized probate packet for the Amelia clerk if qualification is still needed. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the child lived in Amelia County and the estate needs a personal representative to sell or manage real estate, contact the Amelia clerk about qualification. After qualification, work with the Amelia County commissioner of accounts on inventory, accounting, and closing steps. | Sunset helps locate financial accounts, organize creditor information, and connect the parent with a local probate attorney when a sale or family issue makes counsel useful. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Amelia County Circuit Court clerk | Local clerk's office for presenting a will, qualifying a personal representative, recording probate papers, and paying probate tax and clerk charges. | 16441 Court Street, Amelia, VA 23002. (804) 561-2128. https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/amelia/home |
| Commissioner of accounts for Amelia County | Supervises fiduciaries after qualification and receives inventories and accounts. | J. Chris Southall, 16442 Court Street, P.O. Box 552, Amelia Court House, VA 23002. (804) 561-1446. |
| Virginia Judiciary commissioner of accounts roster | Statewide roster for commissioner of accounts contacts and the statewide commissioner resource page. | https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/resources/coa/home |
| Virginia Circuit Court forms | Statewide CC forms used for probate, qualification, list of heirs, inventory, accounts, notices, and small-estate affidavits. | https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/home |
| Virginia Judiciary self-help probate forms | Self-help page that groups common probate forms for Virginia users. | https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/page/37/probate-forms |
| Virginia Legal Aid Society, Farmville office | General civil legal aid for Amelia County residents. Its listed practice areas do not include estate administration or probate. | 217 East Third Street, Farmville, VA 23901. (434) 392-8108. https://vlas.org/locations/ |
When to hire an attorney
Consider speaking with a Virginia probate attorney if the will is contested, heirs disagree, a nonresident fiduciary needs surety advice, real estate must be sold, creditors are pressing claims, or the commissioner of accounts raises accounting issues. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families search across more than 2,300 institutions for bank accounts, investments, insurance, retirement accounts, and other assets that may affect the Amelia County probate plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you gather into an organized estate settlement packet, including the details commonly needed for Virginia probate forms and the Amelia clerk's review.
Find a local probate attorney. When an Amelia County estate involves a house sale, a contested will, a nonresident fiduciary, or creditor issues, Sunset can help connect you with a local probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, understand next steps, and decide whether they need attorney help without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate papers in Amelia County?
Use the Amelia County Circuit Court clerk's office at 16441 Court Street, Courthouse Square, Amelia, VA 23002. The mailing address is P.O. Box 237, Amelia, VA 23002-0237.
Does Amelia County have its own probate forms?
The Amelia clerk does not publish a county-specific probate packet, checklist, or cover sheet. Use the statewide Virginia Circuit Court CC forms and call the clerk at (804) 561-2128 about what to bring.
Can I use VJEFS for Amelia County probate qualification?
No for self-represented qualification. VJEFS is for members of the Virginia State Bar and designated staff, and Virginia probate qualification is handled with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Does the Amelia clerk require an appointment?
The clerk publishes hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but does not publish a probate appointment rule or intake cutoff. Call (804) 561-2128 before you travel.
Is there a routine court hearing to open an Amelia County estate?
No. In Virginia, the clerk may admit the will and qualify the executor or administrator without a routine court hearing (Va. Code § 64.2-444). Contested matters can be set for court action under Virginia law.
Who supervises the inventory and accounts in Amelia County?
The Amelia County commissioner of accounts supervises those filings. The primary commissioner is J. Chris Southall at 16442 Court Street, P.O. Box 552, Amelia Court House, VA 23002. The inventory is due within four months after the order conferring authority (Va. Code § 64.2-1300), and the first account is due within 16 months of qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1304).
What probate tax applies in Amelia County?
The state probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of taxable value for estates over $15,000, effective July 1, 2003 (Va. Code § 58.1-1712). A county may add a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax (Va. Code § 58.1-1718), so ask the Amelia clerk for the total before bringing payment.
Does Amelia County have a public web portal for estate files?
No free public portal displays Virginia estate files. Contact the Amelia clerk about viewing the will book or other public probate papers through the clerk's office.
Do I have to come to Amelia if I live out of state?
If you need to qualify as personal representative, contact the Amelia clerk before you travel. A nonresident may qualify in Virginia, but must file written consent to service of process and may need surety unless a Virginia resident qualifies at the same time or the clerk waives surety under the small-asset rule (Va. Code §§ 64.2-1426, 64.2-1411).
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.