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City of Norton, VA Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | City of Norton probate information |
|---|---|
| Court and clerk | Wise Circuit Court, 30th Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The local office is the Wise County and City of Norton Circuit Court Clerk's Office. |
| Courthouse address | 206 East Main Street, Room 242, Wise, VA 24293. The clerk's office is on the second and third floors of the Wise County Courthouse. |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 1248, Wise, VA 24293. |
| Probate phone | (276) 328-6111, extension 2. Use the main line as a fallback. |
| [email protected]. | |
| Fax | No faxes accepted. The court listing says PDF only. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Judiciary listing shows 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., so call before you drive to Wise. |
| Tax and fees | Virginia probate tax is imposed under Va. Code § 58.1-1712. The clerk also publishes $46.00 to record a list of heirs and $47.00 to record a list of heirs with a real estate affidavit, each as of August 2026. Credit and debit card payments add a 4% convenience fee. |
| Local forms | Yes. The clerk publishes a Probate General Information and Worksheet handout, including the Estate Information and Asset Worksheet that starts the appointment process here. |
| Electronic filing | No electronic filing route is published for families opening a City of Norton estate. The clerk's worksheet is mailed or hand-delivered, and qualification is handled by appointment in Wise. |
| Records access | No free public portal shows a City of Norton estate file. Recorded wills and fiduciary documents may be available to approved subscribers through the clerk's paid records platform, or in person at the clerk's office. |
| Remote appearance | No current remote qualification option is published. Virginia circuit courts may allow telephone or video appearances in civil proceedings at the court's discretion, but qualification before the clerk is not a court hearing (Va. Code § 17.1-513.2). |
| Website | Wise County and City of Norton Circuit Court Clerk and Virginia Judiciary court page. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you send anything to the clerk, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, beneficiaries, heirs and any real estate. The City of Norton worksheet asks you to separate real estate in Norton from real estate in Wise County and other Virginia real estate, which matters because the city is its own jurisdiction even though the counter is shared.
Sunset can help organize the estate settlement before the appointment by searching more than 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets, then turning that information into the probate packet the clerk and commissioner of accounts will expect.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The City of Norton has one probate counter: the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office at the Wise County Courthouse, 206 East Main Street, Room 242, in Wise. The City of Norton and Wise County share one elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, but a City of Norton estate is not a Wise County estate.
Virginia venue starts in the circuit court of the county or city where the decedent had a known place of residence (Va. Code § 64.2-443). For a City of Norton resident, that jurisdiction is the City of Norton, and the filing counter is the shared clerk's office in Wise. If the decedent moved to a nursing home or similar facility because of age or health, Virginia presumes the legal residence stayed where it was before the move unless that presumption is rebutted (§ 64.2-443).
The City of Norton, Lee County, Scott County and Wise County make up the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit (Va. Code § 17.1-506). Lee and Scott have their own clerks. Only the City of Norton and Wise County share this clerk's office.
The jurisdiction process
- Start with the local worksheet. Fill out the clerk's Probate General Information and Worksheet handout, including the Estate Information and Asset Worksheet, as completely as you can.
- Mail or hand-deliver the worksheet to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 206 East Main Street, Room 242, Wise, VA 24293, or P.O. Box 1248, Wise, VA 24293. The clerk's office says a deputy clerk will contact you to set an appointment if one is needed.
- Prepare for the appointment. Bring the original will if there is one, proof of death such as a death certificate, valid identification and the applicable tax and fees. If there is a will, the will still has to be offered for probate at the clerk's counter even when no one qualifies.
- Qualify before the clerk when qualification is needed. In Virginia, you do not go before a judge to open an ordinary estate. The Clerk of the Circuit Court may admit the will to probate and qualify a personal representative, executor or administrator with the same effect as the circuit court (Va. Code § 64.2-444).
- Pay the Virginia probate tax and qualification fee that apply. Virginia probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of estate value, with estates of $15,000 or less exempt, unchanged since 2003 (Va. Code § 58.1-1712). The qualification fee is set by the statewide schedule in Va. Code § 17.1-275(A)(3). Ask the clerk whether any City of Norton local probate tax applies under Va. Code §§ 58.1-1718 and 58.1-3805.
- Receive the authority document. The clerk may issue a certificate of qualification for the personal representative to show banks, transfer agents and others (Va. Code § 64.2-506). If the personal representative lives outside Virginia, expect to sign the nonresident consent to service of process, and expect a surety question unless a Virginia resident qualifies too or the clerk waives surety under the small-asset surety rules (Va. Code §§ 64.2-1426, 64.2-1411).
- Send notice after probate or qualification. The personal representative or will proponent must mail or deliver the notice required by Va. Code § 64.2-508 within 30 days after qualification or admission of the will to probate, then record the notice affidavit within four months.
- Work with the commissioner of accounts. File the inventory with the commissioner of accounts within four months after the order conferring authority, not with the clerk (Va. Code § 64.2-1300). The first account is due within 16 months from qualification and covers the first 12 months (Va. Code § 64.2-1304). If everyone entitled to the residue is also serving as personal representative and the statutory conditions are met, a statement in lieu of settlement of account may close the accounting path (Va. Code § 64.2-1314).
- Close the estate settlement. Pay valid debts, handle any sale or transfer of real estate, distribute what remains, and complete the final account or approved closing document through the commissioner of accounts.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in the City of Norton
City of Norton families use statewide Virginia circuit court forms, plus one local handout from the Wise County and City of Norton clerk. The Estate Information and Asset Worksheet is part of the clerk's Probate General Information and Worksheet handout, one download that starts the appointment process here.
| Form or document | How it is used in the City of Norton |
|---|---|
| Probate General Information and Worksheet | The clerk's local handout. Complete it first, then mail or hand-deliver it to Room 242 or P.O. Box 1248 so the office can set the appointment. |
| CC-1650, Probate Information Form | Statewide information form used for the probate appointment. |
| CC-1651, Probate Tax Return | Filed when the estate owes the Virginia probate tax imposed under Va. Code § 58.1-1712. |
| CC-1611, List of Heirs | Required at qualification or when a will is presented and no one qualifies. The clerk publishes a $46.00 recording total as of August 2026. |
| CC-1612, List of Heirs / Real Estate Affidavit | Used for the intestate real-estate affidavit route. The clerk publishes a $47.00 recording total as of August 2026. |
| CC-1610, Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary for Service of Process | Signed by a nonresident fiduciary at qualification under Va. Code § 64.2-1426. |
| CC-1616, Notice Regarding Estate | Used for notice to heirs and beneficiaries after probate or qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-508). |
| CC-1617, Affidavit of Notice Regarding Estate of . . . | Recorded in the clerk's office after the notice is sent (Va. Code § 64.2-508). |
| CC-1625, Certificate / Letter of Qualification | The authority document the clerk may issue after qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-506). |
| CC-1670, Inventory of Decedent's Estate | Filed with the commissioner of accounts within four months after the order conferring authority (Va. Code § 64.2-1300). |
| CC-1680, Account for Decedent's Estate | Used for the first account due within 16 months from qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1304). |
| CC-1681, Statement in Lieu of Settlement of Account | Used when the statutory conditions for a statement in lieu are met (Va. Code § 64.2-1314). |
| CC-1685, Small Estate Affidavit | Used with the statewide small-asset process when the personal probate estate is within the $75,000 limit effective July 1, 2025 (Va. Code §§ 64.2-600, 64.2-601). It is presented to the asset holder, not filed with the clerk. |
Fees
| Fee or tax | City of Norton note |
|---|---|
| Virginia probate tax | Virginia probate tax is 10 cents per $100 of estate value, with estates of $15,000 or less exempt, unchanged since 2003 (Va. Code § 58.1-1712). |
| Local probate tax | A city or county may add a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax (Va. Code §§ 58.1-1718, 58.1-3805). Ask the clerk's office whether the City of Norton adds it when your appointment is set. |
| Qualification fee | The qualification fee is set by the statewide schedule in Va. Code § 17.1-275(A)(3). The clerk calculates it when qualification is handled. |
| List of heirs recording | The clerk publishes $46.00 to record a list of heirs, as of August 2026. |
| List of heirs with real estate affidavit recording | The clerk publishes $47.00 to record a list of heirs with a real estate affidavit, as of August 2026. |
| Card payments | The clerk's FAQ says all credit and debit card transactions add a 4% convenience fee. |
| Commissioner of accounts fees | The commissioner of accounts charges a fee for reviewing the inventory and each account. The circuit court that appoints the commissioner sets those fees, so ask the commissioner's office after qualification. |
Local nuance
City of Norton-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a City of Norton estate |
|---|---|
| Shared clerk, separate city | The City of Norton is an independent city in no county. The counter is shared with Wise County, but the estate remains a City of Norton matter. |
| Worksheet before appointment | The clerk asks you to submit the Probate General Information and Worksheet first. A deputy clerk then contacts you to set the appointment if one is needed. |
| Probate extension | The clerk's probate handout gives (276) 328-6111, extension 2, for the probate division. |
| No fax filing | The Judiciary page for this court says no faxes are accepted, PDF only. |
| Card convenience fee | Credit and debit card transactions add 4%. |
| Two hours listings | The clerk's own site says Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Judiciary listing shows 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., so call before the trip. |
| Norton real estate line | The clerk's worksheet separately asks for real estate in Norton, real estate in Wise County and other Virginia real estate. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | List the home on the worksheet in the correct real estate category, including the Norton real estate line if the property is in the City of Norton. Send or bring the worksheet to Room 242, then attend the clerk's appointment in Wise with the original will if there is one, proof of death, identification and fees. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts and real estate details before the appointment, so the spouse is not guessing during the estate settlement intake. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | You can mail the worksheet to P.O. Box 1248 before traveling, but the office publishes no remote or mail-in qualification route. If qualification is needed, expect an in-person appointment in Wise. A nonresident fiduciary signs CC-1610 and may face a surety question under Va. Code §§ 64.2-1426 and 64.2-1411. | Sunset helps decide whether full qualification is needed, prepares the information for the worksheet and can connect the family with a Virginia attorney if travel, surety or heir questions become difficult. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the home must be sold through the estate and the will's power of sale matters, plan on a qualification appointment at the shared clerk's counter. After qualification, the inventory and accounts go to the commissioner of accounts for this court, not to the clerk. | Sunset helps collect asset information, organize real estate and debt questions, and build the packet a local attorney or commissioner of accounts will need. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Wise County and City of Norton Circuit Court Clerk | The probate counter for City of Norton estates. The office publishes the local worksheet and sets appointments after the worksheet is submitted. | 206 East Main Street, Room 242, Wise, VA 24293. Probate division: (276) 328-6111, extension 2. Email: [email protected]. |
| Probate General Information and Worksheet | The clerk's local handout and Estate Information and Asset Worksheet that starts the appointment process. | Mail or hand-deliver to the clerk's office in Wise. |
| Virginia Judiciary court page | Judiciary listing for the circuit court that serves the City of Norton, including address, phone and court information. | Use with the clerk's own site because the two pages publish different hours. |
| Commissioners of Accounts directory | Statewide directory for the attorneys who supervise fiduciaries after qualification and settle inventories and accounts. The roster lists commissioners under the Wise court heading. | Use the directory for current office and phone information. |
| Virginia court forms index | Statewide circuit court forms used for probate, qualification, notice, inventory and accounting. | Online form index. |
| Virginia Judiciary self-help probate forms | Plain-language index of probate forms and instruction sheets. | Online self-help page. |
| Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society | General civil legal aid for low-income households in the City of Norton. Its own service list names consumer and debt, family law, domestic violence, employment, housing and public benefits. Estate administration is not among the areas it names. | Apply by phone at 1-888-201-2772 or online. Castlewood field office: 6932 W. Hills Drive, P.O. Box 670, Castlewood, VA 24224, (276) 762-9354. |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps build a clearer asset picture before the worksheet goes to the City of Norton's shared clerk's office in Wise.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for the local worksheet, the statewide Virginia forms and the next estate settlement steps after qualification.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate involves a sale of real estate, an out-of-state personal representative, a dispute among heirs or a commissioner of accounts issue, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Virginia attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize assets, next steps and attorney options without paying Sunset for help getting started.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for the City of Norton?
File at the Wise County and City of Norton Circuit Court Clerk's Office, 206 East Main Street, Room 242, Wise, VA 24293. The City of Norton is an independent city, and its estate matters are handled at the shared clerk's counter in Wise.
Is the City of Norton part of Wise County for probate?
No. The City of Norton is in no county. It shares one elected Clerk of the Circuit Court with Wise County, but a City of Norton decedent's estate remains a City of Norton matter under the venue rule in Va. Code § 64.2-443.
How do I get a probate appointment in the City of Norton?
Complete the clerk's Probate General Information and Worksheet, then mail or hand-deliver it to the clerk's office in Room 242 or to P.O. Box 1248, Wise, VA 24293. The clerk's handout says a deputy clerk will contact you to set an appointment if one is needed.
What phone number should I use for City of Norton probate?
Use (276) 328-6111, extension 2, for the probate division. The main line is the fallback if the extension is not answered.
Can I use an electronic filing system for a City of Norton estate?
No electronic filing route is published for families opening an estate here. The published process is to mail or hand-deliver the worksheet and then attend the clerk's appointment in Wise.
Can I attend the City of Norton qualification appointment by video?
No current remote qualification option is published for this clerk. Virginia circuit courts may allow telephone or video appearances in civil proceedings at the court's discretion, but qualifying before the clerk is normally an in-person appointment and is not a hearing (Va. Code § 17.1-513.2).
How can I view a recorded will or fiduciary document for the City of Norton?
There is no free public portal for a City of Norton estate file. Recorded wills and fiduciary documents can be reviewed in person at the clerk's office, or through the clerk's paid subscription platform for approved users.
What does it cost to record a list of heirs in the City of Norton?
The clerk publishes $46.00 to record a list of heirs and $47.00 to record a list of heirs with a real estate affidavit, each as of August 2026. Card payments add a 4% convenience fee.
Do I have to travel to Wise if I live outside Virginia?
You can mail the worksheet before the appointment, but the clerk publishes no remote or mail-in qualification option. If qualification is needed, plan for an in-person appointment in Wise and expect to sign CC-1610, the nonresident consent to service of process, under Va. Code § 64.2-1426.
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.