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Wise County, VA Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Wise County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Wise Circuit Court, Thirtieth Judicial Circuit of Virginia. The clerk's own site names the office as the Wise County and City of Norton Circuit Court Clerk's Office. |
| Courthouse address | 206 East Main Street, Wise, VA 24293 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 1248, Wise, VA 24293 |
| Phone | (276) 328-6111, extension 2 for probate materials |
| [email protected] | |
| Fax | No faxes accepted. The Judiciary page states that only PDF is accepted. |
| Hours | The Judiciary page publishes 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The clerk's own site also publishes 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in one place and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in another. Call before going to the courthouse. |
| Probate tax and fees | State probate tax is 10 cents per $100 under Va. Code § 58.1-1712 for estates over $15,000, a figure unchanged since 2003. A county may impose a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, so ask the clerk whether Wise County adds that amount. State qualification and recording fees are set by Va. Code § 17.1-275. |
| Local forms | Yes. The clerk publishes a Probate General Info & Worksheet on its Public Forms page. |
| E-filing status | Wise is not listed as a VJEFS participating circuit court. The clerk's site advertises eLegal Case Pro for civil and criminal filings and Mixnet eFile Land Records for land records, but no loaded Wise source describes online probate qualification. |
| Case search | No free public portal shows a Wise County estate file. OCIS does not cover probate records. |
| Remote appearance | No current Wise County source supports remote or video qualification. Civil remote appearance is discretionary when allowed by the court (Va. Code § 17.1-513.2), and qualification before the clerk is normally handled as a clerk appointment. |
| Websites | Wise Circuit Court, Virginia Judiciary Wise County and City of Norton Circuit Court Clerk |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you contact the Wise County clerk, make a working list of the assets, debts, heirs, beneficiaries, and real estate involved. Virginia probate tax and the choice between a small-asset path and qualification depend on what is in the probate estate, not just whether there is a will.
Sunset helps families begin estate settlement by searching across more than 2,300 financial institutions for accounts, insurance, investments, and other assets, then organizing what you found into the probate packet you can take or mail to the Wise County clerk.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Wise County probate is handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 206 East Main Street in the town of Wise. A will is offered for probate 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 Wise County resident, that means the Wise County clerk's counter unless the venue rule points somewhere else.
Wise County is in the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit with the City of Norton, Lee County, and Scott County (Va. Code § 17.1-506). Lee County and Scott County have separate clerks. Wise County and the City of Norton share one elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, but Norton is a separate independent city and is not part of Wise County.
The jurisdiction process
- Start with the Wise County clerk's Probate General Info & Worksheet. Use it to collect the will, death certificate information, family information, asset information, and the details the clerk needs for a probate or qualification appointment.
- Contact the Wise County clerk at (276) 328-6111, extension 2, or use the published mailing address, P.O. Box 1248, Wise, VA 24293, to ask how the office wants the worksheet and original documents delivered before the appointment.
- Bring or send the original will if there is one. In Virginia, routine probate and qualification happen before the Clerk of the Circuit Court, not before a judge, and the clerk may admit the will and qualify the personal representative (Va. Code §§ 64.2-443, 64.2-444).
- Pay the state probate tax when it applies. The state probate tax is 10 cents per $100 under Va. Code § 58.1-1712 for estates over $15,000, a figure unchanged since 2003. A county may impose a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1718, so ask the Wise County clerk for the total when scheduling.
- If you qualify as personal representative, the clerk issues the certificate of qualification, the Virginia authority document (Va. Code § 64.2-506). A nonresident fiduciary files CC-1610, Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary for Service of Process, at qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1426).
- Send the required notice of probate or qualification to the people entitled to notice within 30 days, then record the notice affidavit in the clerk's office within four months (Va. Code § 64.2-508).
- Do not plan on a routine opening hearing. No current Wise County source supports remote or video qualification, and qualification before the clerk is not a hearing under Va. Code § 17.1-513.2.
- After qualification, work with the commissioner of accounts, not the clerk, for estate settlement supervision. The commissioner of accounts supervises fiduciaries and settles inventories and accounts (Va. Code § 64.2-1200).
- Return the inventory to the commissioner of accounts within four months after the order conferring authority (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).
- Close the estate through the applicable Virginia accounting route, statement in lieu, debts and demands process, or final account, as directed by the commissioner of accounts and the statewide fiduciary rules.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Wise County
Wise County uses the statewide Virginia Circuit Court fiduciary forms plus a local intake worksheet from the clerk. The local Public Forms page publishes a Probate General Info & Worksheet for beginning probate and qualification with this clerk's office.
| Form or resource | Where it comes from | How it is used in Wise County |
|---|---|---|
| Probate General Info & Worksheet | Wise County and City of Norton Circuit Court Clerk Public Forms page | Local intake worksheet for starting the probate and qualification conversation with the Wise County clerk. |
| CC-1650, Probate Information Form | Virginia Judiciary fiduciary forms | Statewide probate information form used by circuit court clerks. |
| CC-1651, Probate Tax Return | Virginia Judiciary fiduciary forms | Used when the estate value requires a probate tax return under Va. Code § 58.1-1714. |
| CC-1611, List of Heirs | Virginia Judiciary fiduciary forms | Filed at qualification or when required for a will presented without qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-509). |
| CC-1612, List of Heirs / Real Estate Affidavit | Virginia Judiciary fiduciary forms | Used for the intestate real-estate affidavit route when appropriate (Va. Code § 64.2-510). |
| CC-1610, Consent of Nonresident Fiduciary for Service of Process | Virginia Judiciary fiduciary forms | Required for a nonresident fiduciary at qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1426). |
| CC-1625, Certificate / Letter of Qualification | Virginia Judiciary fiduciary forms | The certificate of qualification is the authority document issued by the clerk (Va. Code § 64.2-506). |
| CC-1670, Inventory of Decedent's Estate | Virginia Judiciary fiduciary forms | Returned to the commissioner of accounts after qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1300). |
| CC-1680, Account for Decedent's Estate | Virginia Judiciary fiduciary forms | Used for the personal representative's account with the commissioner of accounts (Va. Code § 64.2-1304). |
| CC-1685, Small Estate Affidavit | Virginia Judiciary fiduciary forms | Used for the statewide small-asset affidavit route for a personal probate estate not over $75,000, effective July 1, 2025 (Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 through 64.2-601). It is presented to the asset holder, not filed with the clerk. |
Fees
The Wise County clerk publishes local charges for two list-of-heirs recordings and a card convenience charge. The state probate tax and statewide qualification and recording fees still come from Virginia statutes.
| Charge | Amount | Source or rule |
|---|---|---|
| List of heirs | $46.00, as published August 2026 | Wise County and City of Norton Circuit Court Clerk Public Forms page |
| List of heirs with real estate affidavit | $47.00, as published August 2026 | Wise County and City of Norton Circuit Court Clerk Public Forms page |
| Credit or debit card convenience charge | 4 percent, as published August 2026 | Wise County and City of Norton Circuit Court Clerk Public Forms page |
| State probate tax | 10 cents per $100 for estates over $15,000, figures unchanged since 2003 | Va. Code § 58.1-1712 |
| Possible county add-on | A county may impose a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax | Va. Code § 58.1-1718. Ask the Wise County clerk whether that county add-on applies before paying. |
Local nuance
Wise County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Shared clerk | Wise County and the City of Norton share one Clerk of the Circuit Court. For a Wise County estate, the matter is still a Wise County matter at the courthouse in Wise. Norton is a separate independent city. |
| Local worksheet first | The clerk publishes a Probate General Info & Worksheet. Use it before calling or going to the courthouse so the clerk has the family, will, and asset information needed for qualification. |
| No fax filing | The Judiciary page states that this office accepts no faxes and only PDF. Do not plan to fax probate materials to the clerk. |
| Hours need a phone check | The Judiciary page and the clerk's own site publish different hour ranges. Call the clerk before traveling to 206 East Main Street. |
| Commissioner is separate | The commissioner of accounts is a private attorney appointed by the circuit court's judges, not the clerk. The Judiciary roster lists the Wise commissioner's office in the town of Wise, and the statewide directory is the current place to check the contact details. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Local Wise County clerk materials reviewed | The clerk's Public Forms page publishes the Probate General Info & Worksheet, list-of-heirs charges of $46.00 and $47.00 as published August 2026, and a 4 percent card convenience charge. |
| Virginia small-estate figures changed July 1, 2025 | The statewide small-asset affidavit ceiling is $75,000, effective July 1, 2025 (Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 through 64.2-601). |
| Virginia creditor notice forms added July 2026 | Virginia added optional notice-to-creditors forms CC-1686 and CC-1687 for the optional creditor notice process under Va. Code § 64.2-508.1. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Wise County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start with the Wise County clerk's Probate General Info & Worksheet, then contact the clerk at 206 East Main Street or P.O. Box 1248 in Wise. Virginia real estate may still affect probate tax under Va. Code § 58.1-1712 even when title passes outside the personal representative's control. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts, and title clues before the spouse decides whether qualification is needed for estate settlement. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Wise is not listed as a VJEFS participating circuit court, and no current Wise County source describes remote qualification. If qualification is needed, a nonresident fiduciary signs CC-1610 and should expect a surety question unless a Virginia resident qualifies too or the clerk waives surety. If the personal probate estate is not over $75,000, effective July 1, 2025, the statewide small-asset affidavit route may apply (Va. Code §§ 64.2-600 through 64.2-601). | Sunset organizes institution information, beneficiary contacts, and a document checklist so the adult child can call the Wise County clerk with specific facts instead of guesses. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Where a home must be sold and qualification is needed, plan for the Wise County courthouse process first, then work with the commissioner of accounts. The inventory goes to the commissioner within four months after authority is conferred, and the first account is due within 16 months from qualification (Va. Code §§ 64.2-1300, 64.2-1304). | Sunset helps gather property, loan, account, and insurance details and can connect the family with a local probate attorney when a sale or creditor issue makes the estate settlement more complex. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | What it provides | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Wise Circuit Court, Virginia Judiciary | Clerk address, phone, fax policy, hours, circuit information, judges, and term dates. | Wise Circuit Court |
| Wise County and City of Norton Circuit Court Clerk | The clerk's own description of services, email, hours, and e-filing products. | Clerk website |
| Public Forms, Wise County and City of Norton Clerk | Probate General Info & Worksheet, list-of-heirs charges, and payment plan information. | Public Forms |
| Circuit Court Fiduciary Forms, Virginia Judiciary | Statewide probate and fiduciary forms, including probate information, list of heirs, certificate of qualification, inventory, account, and small-estate forms. | Fiduciary forms |
| Commissioners of Accounts directory, Virginia Judiciary | Current Wise commissioner of accounts contact information and statewide commissioner resources. | Commissioners of Accounts directory |
| Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society | General civil legal aid. Its eligibility page lists Wise County among the counties served. It should not be treated as a promise that the program handles estate administration. | Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society eligibility |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Virginia probate attorney if the will may be challenged, a house must be sold, heirs disagree, creditors are disputed, the personal representative lives outside Virginia, or the commissioner of accounts asks for filings you are not comfortable preparing. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney when local legal help is the right next step.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help identify bank accounts, investments, insurance, and other assets that may affect Wise County probate and estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you gather into an organized packet for the Wise County clerk, including the facts needed for the local worksheet and the statewide Virginia fiduciary forms.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Wise County estate involves a home sale, a nonresident fiduciary, creditor disputes, or contested family issues, Sunset can connect you with a vetted probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, discover assets, and understand the next filing step without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file to probate a will in Wise County?
File with the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 206 East Main Street in Wise, or use the clerk's mailing address, P.O. Box 1248, Wise, VA 24293, if the clerk tells you to mail materials. Venue is the circuit court of the county or city where the decedent had a known place of residence (Va. Code § 64.2-443).
Does Wise County share a clerk with the City of Norton?
Yes. Wise County and the City of Norton share one Clerk of the Circuit Court. For a Wise County resident's estate, the matter is still a Wise County probate matter at the Wise courthouse. Norton is a separate independent city.
Do I have to go before a judge to be appointed in Wise County?
No for routine qualification. In Virginia, the Clerk of the Circuit Court may admit wills and qualify executors, administrators, and curators (Va. Code § 64.2-444). A judge becomes involved only if a dispute, appeal, or other court proceeding requires it.
Does the Wise County clerk's office have its own probate forms?
Yes. The clerk publishes a Probate General Info & Worksheet on the Public Forms page. Wise County also uses the statewide Virginia Circuit Court fiduciary forms, including CC-1650, CC-1611, CC-1625, CC-1670, and CC-1680.
Can I file Wise County probate papers online?
No current Wise County source describes online probate qualification. Wise is not listed as a VJEFS participating circuit court, and the clerk's eLegal Case Pro and Mixnet eFile Land Records products are described for other filing categories, not for probate qualification.
Is there an online Wise County estate-file portal?
No free public portal shows a Wise County estate file. OCIS does not cover probate records. Recorded wills and related will-book records are handled through the clerk's records process.
What will it cost to probate a will in Wise County?
The state probate tax is 10 cents per $100 for estates over $15,000, a figure unchanged since 2003 (Va. Code § 58.1-1712). A county may impose a local probate tax equal to one-third of the state tax (Va. Code § 58.1-1718), so ask the Wise County clerk whether that add-on applies. The clerk's Public Forms page also lists a list-of-heirs charge of $46.00 and a list-of-heirs with real estate affidavit charge of $47.00, as published August 2026.
Where do I send the inventory and accounts after qualifying?
Send them to the commissioner of accounts, not to the clerk. The commissioner of accounts supervises fiduciaries and settles inventories and accounts (Va. Code § 64.2-1200). The inventory is due within four months after authority is conferred (Va. Code § 64.2-1300), and the first account is due within 16 months from qualification (Va. Code § 64.2-1304).
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.