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Taylor County, WV Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Probate authority | Taylor County Commission under W. Va. Code § 7-1-3, with day-to-day estate filings handled by the Taylor County Clerk's office in Grafton. |
| Office address | 128 West Main St., Annex 2, Grafton, WV 26354. |
| Mailing address | The Taylor County Clerk's website does not publish a separate mailing address for probate. |
| Probate phone | (304) 265-1401, Option 4 for probate and estate administration. |
| Fax | (304) 265-2889. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays. The office says probate appointments must be scheduled. |
| Cost to begin | No single statewide probate filing fee applies under W. Va. Code § 59-1-10. Taylor currently publishes $45.00 to $65.00 for recording a will and issuing letters, depending on will length and number of appointment letters, as published on the clerk's probate page fetched August 31, 2026. |
| Local forms | Yes. Taylor publishes probate overview, appraisement materials under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14, ancillary affidavits, W. Va. Code § 44-1A small-estate materials, waiver forms, and claim forms. |
| Electronic filing | West Virginia has no e-filing for routine probate with the county clerk. Estate papers are filed on paper with the Taylor County Clerk. |
| Online records | Taylor publishes a document inquiry page. It is a county clerk document tool, not a court docket. Its exact coverage of estate records is not stated. WVPASS is a circuit court records system and does not contain routine estate files. |
| Phone or video | Most estates are handled through the clerk's counter process. If a disputed matter requires participation by phone or video, ask the Taylor County Clerk's office when the appointment is scheduled. |
| Website | https://taylorcountywvclerk.com/services/probate-estate-administration/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you call Taylor County, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, real estate, accounts, vehicles, beneficiaries, and heirs. The clerk's own no-will instructions start with determining the total value of personal property solely owned or titled in the decedent's name, and statewide appraisement duties under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14 depend on asset information after qualification.
Sunset's estate settlement process starts with asset discovery across 2,300 institutions, then organizes what you need for the Taylor County Clerk, the appraisement, and the institutions that will ask for proof of authority.
Which court handles jurisdiction
File in Taylor County when the person lived in Taylor County at death. W. Va. Code § 41-5-4 places a will in the county where the decedent had a mansion house or known place of residence at death, and W. Va. Code § 44-1-4 places an estate with no will in the same county commission process under W. Va. Code § 7-1-3.
The Taylor County filing office is the Taylor County Clerk's office at the courthouse annex in Grafton. The page covers Taylor County communities served through that Grafton office.
The jurisdiction process
- Call the Taylor County Clerk's office before you go. The local probate page says appointments must be scheduled, and the probate phone menu is (304) 265-1401, Option 4.
- Choose the correct local packet. Taylor publishes forms for full probate, appraisement under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14, ancillary administration, W. Va. Code § 44-1A small-estate affidavits, appointment waivers, estate claims under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a, and claim releases.
- If there is a will, bring the original will, names and addresses of beneficiaries and heirs, the required death certificate, and cash or check. Taylor says handwritten wills and wills prepared in another state may require additional paperwork and more than one visit.
- If there is no will, call first and prepare the names and addresses of heirs, the death certificate, cash or check, and information needed to determine the value of personal property solely owned by the decedent. Administration without a will is handled under W. Va. Code § 44-1-4.
- Address security before appointment. Taylor says an administrator without a will must be bonded before appointment, and W. Va. Code § 44-1-8 governs when bond or surety may be excused or required. If a property owner in Taylor County is used, that person must come to the appointment.
- Pay the local recording charges. Taylor currently publishes $45.00 to $65.00 for recording a will and issuing letters, depending on will length and number of appointment letters, as published on the clerk's probate page fetched August 31, 2026. Recording charges are governed by W. Va. Code § 59-1-10.
- After appointment, use the certificate of qualification, also called letters testamentary or letters of administration, to work with banks and transfer agents. The clerk admits the will through the county commission process under W. Va. Code § 41-5-10 and W. Va. Code § 7-1-3.
- Complete the required estate inventory work. The appraisement is due under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14, and the nonprobate inventory is governed by W. Va. Code § 11-11-7.
- Watch for Taylor's published notices. The office says it publishes a notice to creditors and beneficiaries and a notice to close the estate, and creditor claims are handled under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a.
- Close the estate after the required papers and notice process are complete. Taylor's office gives an informal estimate of approximately 7 months if there are no problems and all papers are returned timely.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Taylor County
Taylor County publishes a substantial local form library. Use the county's forms as local starting points, and remember that the statewide appraisement is governed by W. Va. Code § 44-1-14, the nonprobate inventory by W. Va. Code § 11-11-7, and small-estate affidavits by W. Va. Code § 44-1A.
| Form or resource | What Taylor publishes |
|---|---|
| Full Probate Overview and Timeline | PDF at https://taylorcountywvclerk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Full_Probate_Overview_and_Timeline.pdf |
| Affidavit of Decedent Signature | PDF at https://taylorcountywvclerk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Affidavit-of-Decedent-Signature.pdf |
| Appraisement Form | PDF for appraisement under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14 at https://taylorcountywvclerk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Appraisement-Form.pdf |
| Affidavit for Ancillary Administration with Authenticated Will | PDF at https://taylorcountywvclerk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/affidavit-for-anc-adm-with-authenticated-will-1.pdf |
| Affidavit for Ancillary Administration with Original Will | PDF at https://taylorcountywvclerk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/affidavit-for-anc-adm-with-original-will.pdf |
| Affidavit for Ancillary Administration Without Will | PDF for a no-will ancillary filing connected to W. Va. Code § 44-1-4 at https://taylorcountywvclerk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/affidavit-for-anc-adm-without-will.pdf |
| Small Estate Overview | W. Va. Code § 44-1A resource at https://taylorcountywvclerk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Small-Estate-Overview-1.pdf |
| Affidavit for Small Sum, Asset, or Property | W. Va. Code § 44-1A affidavit resource at https://taylorcountywvclerk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Affidavit-For-Small-Sum-Asset-or-Property-compressed.pdf |
| West Virginia Small Estates Affidavit, no will | W. Va. Code § 44-1A affidavit form listed on the Taylor probate page through the office's Adobe document links. |
| West Virginia Small Estates Affidavit, with will | W. Va. Code § 44-1A affidavit form listed on the Taylor probate page through the office's Adobe document links. |
| Waiver for Appointment of Administrator | No-will administration form connected to W. Va. Code § 44-1-4, listed on the Taylor probate page through the office's Adobe document links. |
| Waiver for Appointment of Executor | Form listed on the Taylor probate page through the office's Adobe document links. |
| Creditor Claim Form | Claim form connected to W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a, listed on the Taylor probate page through the office's Adobe document links. |
| Creditor Release Form | Release form for an estate claim connected to W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a, listed on the Taylor probate page through the office's Adobe document links. |
Fees
West Virginia has no single statewide probate filing fee under W. Va. Code § 59-1-10. Taylor County currently publishes local recording charges on its probate page, fetched August 31, 2026.
| Charge | Currently published Taylor amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recording the will and issuing letters | $45.00 to $65.00, as published August 31, 2026 | Taylor says the amount depends on the length of the will and the number of appointment letters issued. Pay by cash or check. |
| Estate claim recording | $12.00, as published August 31, 2026 | Taylor says claims submitted against estates under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a will not be processed without the filing fees governed by W. Va. Code § 59-1-10. |
| Estate claim release | $12.00, as published August 31, 2026 | Taylor publishes the same current amount for release of the claim under the estate claim process connected to W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a. |
Separate costs can include newspaper notice costs and any bond or surety expense required under W. Va. Code § 44-1-8. Ask the Taylor County Clerk's office for the current total before your appointment because the will length and number of certified letters can change the amount.
Timeline
- Schedule the appointment first. Taylor states that probate appointments must be scheduled, and the no-will instructions say to call (304) 265-1401 before coming in.
- Bring the will, death certificate, names and addresses, and payment to the appointment. If there is no will, bring heir information and be prepared to address bond or surety under W. Va. Code § 44-1-8.
- After qualification, complete the appraisement under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14 and the nonprobate inventory under W. Va. Code § 11-11-7.
- Taylor states that it publishes a notice to creditors and beneficiaries and a notice to close the estate. Estate claims and notice are handled under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a.
- Taylor gives an informal estimate of approximately 7 months if there are no problems and all papers are returned to the office in a timely manner. Treat that as the office's estimate, not a guarantee.
Local nuance
Taylor County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means in Taylor County |
|---|---|
| Appointment required | The Taylor probate page says appointments must be scheduled. For an estate with no will under W. Va. Code § 44-1-4, it separately says to call before the appointment. |
| Probate phone menu | Use (304) 265-1401, Option 4 for probate and estate administration. |
| Will recording range | Taylor currently publishes $45.00 to $65.00, as published August 31, 2026, for recording a will and issuing letters. W. Va. Code § 59-1-10 governs county clerk recording charges. |
| Estate claim fees | Taylor currently publishes $12.00 for an estate claim and $12.00 for release of the claim, as published August 31, 2026. Estate claims are tied to W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a, and recording charges are governed by W. Va. Code § 59-1-10. |
| Online document inquiry | Taylor publishes a county clerk document inquiry page, but the page does not state whether wills, appraisements under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14, or estate settlements are indexed. Ask the office before relying on the online search. |
Recent updates
Taylor County's local probate page currently states that appointments must be scheduled, lists (304) 265-1401, Option 4 for probate and estate administration, publishes local will-recording and estate-claim charges, and publishes downloadable W. Va. Code § 44-1A small-estate materials.
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Taylor County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by identifying which assets were solely owned and which passed outside the estate. If a will must be recorded, schedule with the Taylor County Clerk in Grafton and bring the original will, death information, names and addresses, and payment. If the estate needs appraisement, W. Va. Code § 44-1-14 controls that filing. | Sunset helps organize accounts, titles, debts, and beneficiary information so the spouse can see what belongs in estate settlement before the clerk appointment. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Call (304) 265-1401, Option 4 before traveling. Taylor publishes W. Va. Code § 44-1A small-estate materials and says probate appointments must be scheduled. Ask the office what can be prepared before you come to Grafton. | Sunset helps find accounts and produce a county-ready packet so travel is focused on signatures, original documents, and the clerk appointment. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the child lived in Taylor County, venue is in Taylor County under W. Va. Code § 41-5-4, with no-will administration handled under W. Va. Code § 44-1-4 if there is no will. Schedule an appointment and be ready to address bond or surety under W. Va. Code § 44-1-8 if required. | Sunset helps assemble asset, debt, and real estate information and can connect the family with a Taylor County probate attorney when a sale or title issue needs legal guidance. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor County Clerk probate and estate administration | Local appointment instructions, probate phone option, filing materials, local fee information under W. Va. Code § 59-1-10, and downloadable probate forms. | https://taylorcountywvclerk.com/services/probate-estate-administration/ |
| Taylor County Clerk document inquiry | County clerk document inquiry page. The page does not state the exact estate-record coverage, so ask the office whether the record you need is indexed. | https://taylorcountywvclerk.com/services/document-inquiry/ |
| WV Legals, Taylor County | Indexes Taylor County legal notices, including the kind of notice to creditors connected to W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a. | https://wvlegals.com/county/taylor/ |
| West Virginia Judiciary record access | Explains statewide circuit court and magistrate record systems. WVPASS is for circuit court records, not routine Taylor County estate files. | https://www.courtswv.gov/court-record-access |
When to hire an attorney
Consider counsel if there is a will contest under W. Va. Code § 41-5-11, an appeal under W. Va. Code § 58-3-1, disagreement among heirs, a real estate sale, a disputed claim, uncertainty about bond or surety under W. Va. Code § 44-1-8, or an out-of-state family member who cannot easily manage appointments in Grafton. Sunset connects you to a vetted probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for financial accounts, insurance, retirement assets, real property clues, debts, and other items that shape estate settlement before you schedule with the Taylor County Clerk.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset list, family information, will status, and institution needs into an organized packet for the Taylor County process, including the information needed for appraisement under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate involves a dispute, title issue, sale, or complicated administration, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted attorney familiar with West Virginia estate settlement.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand what exists, what documents are needed, and which next step fits Taylor County without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Taylor County, West Virginia?
File with the Taylor County Clerk's office in Grafton if the decedent lived in Taylor County. W. Va. Code § 41-5-4 places venue where the person lived at death, W. Va. Code § 44-1-4 applies the same place for an estate with no will, and W. Va. Code § 7-1-3 gives the county commission probate authority.
Do I need an appointment with the Taylor County Clerk?
Yes. Taylor's probate page says appointments must be scheduled. The no-will instructions also say to call before the appointment at (304) 265-1401.
Which phone option should I use for a Taylor County estate?
Use (304) 265-1401, Option 4 for probate and estate administration. That is the probate option published by the Taylor County Clerk's office.
Can I e-file probate papers in Taylor County?
No online probate e-filing system is published for Taylor County. West Virginia's court e-filing systems do not handle routine estates, so estate papers are filed on paper with the county clerk.
Can I look up a Taylor County estate online?
Taylor publishes a county clerk document inquiry page, but the page does not state exactly whether estate files, wills, appraisements under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14, or settlements are covered. WVPASS is a circuit court records system and does not contain routine estate files.
How much does Taylor County publish for recording a will and issuing letters?
Taylor currently publishes $45.00 to $65.00, as published August 31, 2026, depending on the length of the will and the number of appointment letters. Recording charges are governed by W. Va. Code § 59-1-10.
What estate forms does Taylor County publish?
Taylor publishes a full probate overview, appraisement materials under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14, ancillary affidavits, W. Va. Code § 44-1A small-estate materials, appointment waivers, a creditor claim form under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a, and a creditor release form under W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a.
How long does Taylor County say probate usually takes?
Taylor's office gives an informal estimate of approximately 7 months if there are no problems and all papers are returned to the office in a timely manner. That estimate is local office guidance, not a guaranteed deadline.
Do I have to travel to Grafton to handle a Taylor County estate?
Call the Taylor County Clerk's office before making travel plans. The office requires appointments, and it can tell you which originals, signatures, death certificate, payment, and bond or surety items under W. Va. Code § 44-1-8 must be handled in person.
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.