This form must be completed in its entirety. If it is not completely filled out, it will not be accepted. The form must be typed. We cannot accept handwritten forms.
You must use proper names, identify all heirs/beneficiaries, and provide addresses. You must include the dollar amount, special bequest item, and/or percentage that each heir/beneficiary is to receive. You must identify each bank account with:
- name of the financial institution
- the type of account (ie: savings account, checking account, etc)
- the account number; and
- amount of money in the account on the Decedent’s date of death.
If the Decedent owned a car, you must provide:
- the make,
- the model of the car,
- the year,
- and vehicle identification number (VIN).
- a value for the car.
West Virginia law does not allow the conveyance of any interest in real estate to be done through the “Small Estate” process—you must do it through probate proceedings.
REMEMBER: You must identify all probate assets that you want to take control over. The bank, or DMV, or other business to which you plan to present your “Small Estate Certificate and Authorization,” will want you to be specific in identifying the asset. If you have to come back to the Clerk’s Office for a revised “Small Estate Certificate and Authorization” form, you will be required to redo the entire Affidavit and you will be charged again for all recording and mailing fees, because notices will need to be sent out again.