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Buckingham County, VA Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Buckingham County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Buckingham Circuit Court, Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Courthouse address | 13061 W. James Anderson Hwy., Buckingham, VA 23921 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 107, Buckingham, VA 23921 |
| Phone | (434) 969-4734 |
| Fax | (434) 969-2043 |
| Hours | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. No lunch closure or probate intake cutoff is published. |
| Probate tax and clerk charges | The state probate tax is 10 cents per $100 under Va. Code § 58.1-1712. Statewide qualification and recording charges are set by Va. Code § 17.1-275. A county may impose a local probate tax only under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, so ask the clerk for the total when you call. |
| Local forms | No Buckingham-specific probate packet is published. Use the statewide Virginia Circuit Court fiduciary forms. |
| Electronic filing | Buckingham does not appear on the Virginia Judiciary list of circuit courts participating in VJEFS. VJEFS is for Virginia State Bar members and their staff, not self-represented filers. |
| Public website for estate files | No free public website displays Buckingham County estate files. Ask the clerk about records-room access. |
| Remote appearance | No local remote qualification practice is published. Call the clerk before traveling. |
| Websites | Virginia Judiciary: https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/buckingham/home County Circuit Court page: https://www.buckinghamcountyva.org/services/courts/circuit_court.php |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you call the Buckingham clerk, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, titled property, beneficiaries and heirs. The clerk needs enough information to know whether a will must be admitted, whether someone must qualify, and which statewide forms fit the estate settlement.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery can help identify accounts, insurance, retirement assets and other property before you choose the Buckingham County path. That asset picture also helps you ask better questions about probate tax, bond, notice and commissioner of accounts filings.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Buckingham County probate matters are handled at the Buckingham Circuit Court clerk's office in Buckingham. The courthouse serves all of Buckingham County, including Buckingham, Dillwyn, Arvonia, Gold Hill and Glenmore.
Virginia venue is based on the decedent's known place of residence. A will is offered in the circuit court for the county or city where the decedent had a known place of residence, with backup venue rules for real estate, place of death and estate property (Va. Code § 64.2-443). If the decedent was in a nursing home or similar institution, Virginia presumes the legal residence stayed where it was before that move, unless the presumption is rebutted.
The jurisdiction process
- Call the Buckingham Circuit Court clerk at (434) 969-4734 before you go to 13061 W. James Anderson Hwy. Ask how the clerk wants probate appointments handled, what original papers to bring, and how to pay the probate tax and clerk charges.
- Gather the original will if there is one, a death certificate, addresses for heirs and beneficiaries, asset information, debt information and any documents showing who has priority to qualify.
- Prepare the statewide Virginia forms the clerk requests, commonly including CC-1650 Probate Information Form, CC-1651 Probate Tax Return when required under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, CC-1611 List of Heirs and CC-1610 Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary for Service of Process if the personal representative lives outside Virginia.
- Bring or mail the probate materials as the Buckingham clerk instructs. The clerk may admit the will and qualify the personal representative without a judge under Va. Code § 64.2-444.
- Pay the state probate tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, the statewide qualification and recording charges under Va. Code § 17.1-275, and any Buckingham local probate tax if the county has imposed one under Va. Code § 58.1-1718.
- After qualification, get the certificate of qualification, CC-1625. That certificate is the document banks and other institutions use to recognize the personal representative's authority.
- Send the required notice to heirs and beneficiaries within 30 days, then record the affidavit of notice within four months as required by Va. Code § 64.2-508.
- Work with the commissioner of accounts for the Tenth Judicial Circuit after qualification. The inventory is returned to the commissioner of accounts within four months under Va. Code § 64.2-1300, and the first account is due within 16 months under Va. Code § 64.2-1304 unless the estate closes through an allowed statement in lieu or another statutory route.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Buckingham County
Buckingham County does not publish a local probate packet or local cover sheet. Use the statewide Virginia Circuit Court fiduciary forms and ask the Buckingham clerk which ones are needed for your facts.
| Form | Use in Buckingham County |
|---|---|
| CC-1650 Probate Information Form | Basic information the clerk collects for the probate appointment. |
| CC-1651 Probate Tax Return | Used when the estate must report the probate tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1712. |
| CC-1611 List of Heirs | Filed with the clerk at qualification or when a will is presented and nobody qualifies. |
| CC-1610 Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary for Service of Process | Required when a nonresident fiduciary qualifies under Va. Code § 64.2-1426. |
| CC-1625 Certificate / Letter of Qualification | The authority document issued after qualification. |
| CC-1670 Inventory of Decedent's Estate | Returned to the commissioner of accounts after qualification. |
| CC-1680 Account for Decedent's Estate | Used for the accounting supervised by the commissioner of accounts. |
| CC-1685 Small Estate Affidavit | Used with a holder such as a bank when the statewide small-estate affidavit route applies. It is presented to the holder, not filed at the Buckingham clerk's counter. |
Virginia Judiciary fiduciary forms: https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/circuit/fiduciary
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Call the Buckingham clerk before going in, then bring the will, death certificate, asset information and heir information to 13061 W. James Anderson Hwy. Buckingham County real estate can affect the probate tax calculation under Va. Code §§ 58.1-1712 and 58.1-1713 even when title questions are handled separately. | Sunset helps identify accounts, organize the asset list and prepare questions for the clerk so the spouse does not start estate settlement with missing information. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | Buckingham is not a VJEFS participating court, and there is no public online qualification process. Call (434) 969-4734 to ask what can be arranged by mail. A nonresident may qualify, but must sign CC-1610 and should expect surety questions under Va. Code §§ 64.2-1426 and 64.2-1411. If the statewide small-estate affidavit route fits, that affidavit is presented to the bank or other holder, not filed at the Buckingham counter. | Sunset helps sort which accounts exist, whether a court appointment is really needed, and what papers an out-of-state family member should have ready before calling Buckingham. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If a home must be sold through the estate, call the clerk and plan for qualification in Buckingham. After qualification, the commissioner of accounts for the Tenth Judicial Circuit supervises the inventory and account, with the inventory due within four months under Va. Code § 64.2-1300 and the first account due within 16 months under Va. Code § 64.2-1304. | Sunset helps build the estate settlement checklist, gather institution records and connect the family with a local attorney if a sale, creditor issue or bond question needs legal help. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Buckingham Circuit Court, Virginia Judiciary | Publishes the clerk's address, phone, fax, hours and circuit information. | https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/buckingham/home |
| Virginia Judiciary fiduciary forms | Statewide probate and fiduciary forms used in Buckingham County. | https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/circuit/fiduciary |
| Commissioners of Accounts directory | Find the current Buckingham commissioner of accounts by jurisdiction and learn how the office supervises fiduciary filings. | https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/resources/coa/home |
| Virginia Judiciary self-help probate forms | Plain-language index to the statewide probate forms. | https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/page/37/probate-forms |
| Virginia Legal Aid Society, Farmville office | General civil legal aid for qualifying low-income residents. VLAS names Buckingham County in the Farmville office service area. Ask at intake whether your estate issue is within its services. | 217 East Third Street, Farmville, VA 23901. Phone (434) 392-8108. https://www.vlas.org/location-staff |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Virginia probate attorney if the will is disputed, real estate must be sold through the estate, a nonresident fiduciary needs bond advice, creditor claims are unclear, or family members disagree about who should qualify. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps families build a clearer inventory before they call the Buckingham clerk or the commissioner of accounts.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized estate settlement packet, including the details commonly needed for Virginia probate forms and clerk questions.
Find a local probate attorney. If the Buckingham County estate involves a home sale, a dispute, a creditor problem or a nonresident bond issue, Sunset can help you find a Virginia attorney who handles probate matters.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, understand next steps and decide whether they need more help without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate papers in Buckingham County?
Use the Clerk of the Circuit Court at Buckingham Circuit Court, 13061 W. James Anderson Hwy., Buckingham, VA 23921. The mailing address is P.O. Box 107, Buckingham, VA 23921.
Can I handle Buckingham County probate through VJEFS?
Buckingham does not appear on the Virginia Judiciary list of VJEFS participating circuit courts. VJEFS is also limited to Virginia State Bar members and their staff, so a self-represented personal representative should call the Buckingham clerk for filing instructions.
Do I need to go before a judge to open a Buckingham County estate?
Usually no. In Virginia, the clerk may admit wills and qualify executors, administrators and curators under Va. Code § 64.2-444. A judge becomes involved if there is a dispute, an appeal from the clerk's order or another matter that must be heard by the circuit court.
Can I see Buckingham County estate files on a public website?
No free public website displays Buckingham County estate files. The county site does not publish an online records subscription page for the Circuit Court clerk, so ask the clerk how to view will-book or estate materials.
Does Buckingham County have local probate forms?
No Buckingham-specific probate packet is published. Use the statewide Virginia Circuit Court fiduciary forms, including CC-1650, CC-1651, CC-1611, CC-1610 when needed and the commissioner of accounts forms after qualification.
How much probate tax will I pay in Buckingham County?
The state probate tax is 10 cents per $100 under Va. Code § 58.1-1712, and statewide qualification and recording charges are set by Va. Code § 17.1-275. A county may impose a local probate tax only under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, so ask the Buckingham clerk for the total when you call.
Do I have to travel to Buckingham County to qualify?
Plan around the Buckingham clerk's counter unless the clerk tells you another method will work. No local remote qualification practice is published, and Buckingham does not appear on the VJEFS participating-courts list.
What happens after I qualify in Buckingham County?
The commissioner of accounts for the Tenth Judicial Circuit supervises the fiduciary filings. The inventory is due within four months under Va. Code § 64.2-1300, and the first account is due within 16 months under Va. Code § 64.2-1304 unless a statutory closing alternative applies.
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.