Expertise.com

Best Probate Lawyers in Charleston

2023

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls
Probate Lawyers FAQs 〉

Last updated:

Website
109 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 1897, Ray, Winton & Kelley PLLC in Charleston is a small law firm that's one of the oldest legal practices in West Virginia. Its attorneys provide estate planning services to reduce probate time, administer estates and trusts after a client's death, and offer litigation to defend their last wishes when necessary. Ray, Winton & Kelley PLLC also handles mediation, lawyer disciplinary proceedings, real estate transactions, and general civil law and litigation.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Christopher Winton - Managing Member38 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.1
Google
4.1 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
500 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV 25301
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Bailey & Slotnick PLLC is a law firm with over 20 years of legal experience offering estate planning services. Catering to clients in Charleston and its neighboring areas, the legal office assists in planning estates that fit individual goals and budgets, as well as the drafting of wills and trusts. Additionally, the practice’s legal team helps with living wills or living trusts establishment, powers of attorney selection, and advanced healthcare directives setup.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Marc Slotnick - Partner31 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.1
Google
4.0 / 5 (7)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
208 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Romano & Associates PLLC Attorneys at Law provides legal counsel and representation to individuals, families, and businesses in Charleston and the surrounding areas. Its attorneys help clients avoid the probate process by drafting a comprehensive estate plan that consists of last will and testament, revocable or irrevocable trust, power of attorney, and advance health care directive. They have more than 30 years of combined experience. Other areas of their practice are personal injury and business law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (9)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
320 9th St Ste 200, Huntington, WV 25701
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Frazier & Oxley, L.C., is a private practice that handles matters concerning estate planning and probate administration. It serves the Charleston area and the surrounding communities, working with clients to handle and distribute assets on behalf of the deceased. Its legal team also addresses conflicts that may arise, like will contests, and assists in drafting and preparing wills and trusts. Leon Oxley, a partner of the firm with over 40 years of experience, is a certified public accountant.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.4
Google
4.4 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
103 Pennsylvania Ave,, Charleston, WV 25302
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Shaffer Law aids Charleston clients in preserving their legacies for their family's future. It handles contested claims against estates or last wills and testaments and works on resolving matters involving allegations of wrongdoing by estate personal representatives. In addition, its team helps clients and their families navigate the delicate and sensitive probate process by streamlining procedures and filings. Lawyer Drew Shaffer started his career as an assistant public defender at the Harrison County Public Defender’s Office.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (18)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Website
2801 First Avenue, Nitro, WV 25143
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Peyton Law Firm, P.L.L.C., attends to the counsel needs of its clients in Charleston and its nearby areas. Its team provides legal representation and assistance for probate, real estate, family law, disability and retirement claims, and life insurance claims. The firm also handles personal injury and criminal defense matters. The firm has been catering to clients in the area for more than 40 years. Its founding attorney, Harvey D. Peyton, previously served as the president of the West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Thomas Peyton - Partner22 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.4 / 5 (19)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (15)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
4200 Malden Dr, Charleston, WV 25306
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Larry L. Rowe is a general practice firm serving clients in Charleston and neighboring communities. It guides estate executors and beneficiaries through the probate process to facilitate a fair distribution of the decedents' assets. Estate planning services are also available, such as drafting wills and advanced health care directives to protect families from confusion and discord. During his time as a legislator, founding attorney Larry Rowe authored West Virginia's Minor Settlement Proceedings Reform Act of 2002, which protects the rights of injured children. 

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (8)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
103 Pennsylvania Ave N, Charleston, WV 25302
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Lacy Law Offices represents parties in Charleston who have concerns arising from probate and inheritance law. It litigates disputes due to alleged instances of undue influence exerted on a person while writing their last will and testament. The office seeks remedies against executors and administrators of estates and works for heirs who have received insufficient shares from the decedent's assets. Counsel Gerald R. Lacy is a trial practitioner with more than four decades of experience as a lawyer.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3139 16th Street Road, Huntington, WV 25701
  • Trusts
  • Wills

Why choose this provider?

Duffield, Lovejoy & Boggs, Attorneys at Law, is a legal firm founded in 1997 that handles estate disputes. Its probate attorneys near Charleston have over 70 years' combined experience helping fiduciaries understand their responsibilities and protecting their rights. It represents clients in will and estate contests involving misappropriation of assets, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligent administration of an estate or trust. It also offers personal injury and employment law matters.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Chad Lovejoy - Partner26 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (26)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (25)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
700 Washington Street East, Charleston, WV 25301
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 2009, Pritt & Pritt, PLLC, is a law firm handling family law and personal injury cases in Charleston. Its attorneys have experience in dealing with estate planning matters and probate law. They can help clients in drafting wills and trusts as well as preparing the financial and healthcare powers of attorney during the incapacity planning process. The firm is additionally led and owned by the wife-husband duo, Kelly and Chris Pritt.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Christopher Pritt - Senior Partner17 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
4.0 / 5 (43)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
400 Allen Drive, Charleston, WV 25302
  • Wills
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Van Deysen Law is a practice that assists seniors, caregivers, and family members in Charleston and its neighboring communities. It offers legal representation in probate, wills, deeds, asset protection trusts, guardianship, and powers of attorney. The firm also handles Medicaid application and planning. Van Deysen Law serves as a corporate sponsor of Morgantown, West Virginia’s annual Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk. Lawyer Deysen is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Brent Deysen - Principal22 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (6)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
500 Lee Street East, Charleston, WV 25301
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Taxes

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 1822, Jackson Kelly PLLC is a law firm with over 150 attorneys in more than nine offices across Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Its probate lawyers in Charleston are also certified public accounts and members of the ACTEC. The legal team has extensive experience with preparing federal and state estate tax returns and providing fiduciary litigation for matters involving breach of fiduciary, will contests, and disagreements between beneficiaries.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Ellen Cappellanti - Managing Member43 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.9
Facebook
3.9 / 5 (11)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
2.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
––
Detail
––

Website
500 Virginia Street East, Suite 600, Charleston, WV 25301
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Bailey & Wyant P.L.L.C. addresses the estate planning needs of individuals in Charleston. Its lawyers strive to understand the goals and needs of its clients in order to design custom estate plans for them. They draft wills, powers of attorney, trusts, and advance directives. They also offer tax avoidance strategies and assist in probate administration. In addition, they develop succession plans for any size of business. Associate Lakyn D. Cecil, who is admitted in the state bars of Ohio and West Virginia, deals with probate, estates, and civil litigation.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Charles Bailey - Managing Member41 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (20)
Google
4.4 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
125 South Main Street Suite 201 Winchester , KY 40391, Winchester, KY 40391
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

White, McCann & Stewart PLLC is a law firm with over 70 years' experience providing legal services for individuals, families, and businesses in the Charleston area. Founded in 1949, its attorneys handle probate proceedings and estate administrator for personal representatives and executors. The team helps clients understand their duties and offers litigation following will contests and claims against the estate. Other practice areas include state planning services to reduce or prevent probate time.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Rompf - Partner48 yrs
John Rompf - Partner11 yrs
David Ward - Partner27 yrs
Nanci House - Partner20 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.2
Google
4.1 / 5 (20)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3818 MacCorkle Avenue Southeast, Charleston, WV 25304
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Caldwell & Riffee, PLLC, is a general practice firm based in Charleston. The firm can help individuals and families in matters such as estate planning, family law, and wills and trusts. It has also represented individuals in consumer law cases such as disputes with credit card companies, landlords, and car dealerships. The firm's lead lawyer, Joseph Caldwell, has been in law practice for 46 years. The law office of Caldwell & Riffee also handles bankruptcy and personal injury cases.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Joseph Caldwell - Partner49 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
4.0 / 5 (15)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3845 A Suite 1 Teays Valley Rd, Hurricane, WV 25526
  • Trusts
  • Wills

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Michael J. Bell, PLLC, caters to clients throughout Charleston and its surrounding neighborhoods. This full-service firm deals with legal matters involving probate and estate planning. It helps clients organize their assets and financial records and assists with the distribution of assets for beneficiaries or heirs. It also offers elder law and disability planning and Medicaid planning and application. Michael J. Bell, firm founder, established the practice in 2001. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.1
Google
4.6 / 5 (17)
Facebook
0.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
105 Capitol St., Suite 300, Charleston, WV 25301
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Good Grief Law handles legal cases in Charleston and the surrounding cities. It guides clients in probate administration to help them manage their deceased loved ones' assets. It also serves elderly individuals wishing to prepare for their future through estate planning services. Before practicing elder law, managing partner Rachael Carrico has represented personal injury victims for over 25 years. Carrico also served as a guest speaker at legal seminars, where she covered the duties and responsibilities of a guardian ad litem.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
815 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV 25301
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Settlement

Why choose this provider?

Karr Law Office in Charleston has over 30 years' experience providing legal services for clients throughout West Virginia. Its attorney has extensive knowledge of probate and estate law and guides executors and administrators through the court proceedings, including estate accounting, management, and asset appraisal and distribution. Attorney David R. Karr, Junior handles litigation matters, such as will contests and claims against the estate. The firm also handles elder and child guardianship, real estate disputes, and family law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Karr - Principal36 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Charleston, West Virginia?

    The Charleston Police Department can be reached at 304-348-8111 for non-emergency concerns.

  • When is probate a requirement in Charleston?

    Probate is required if the decedent owns real estate, vehicles, and/or assets in Charleston that are registered solely under their name. Jointly owned assets, and assets established to be “payable in death,” are considered non-probate assets. For modest estates with personal property worth no more than $50,000 and/or real estate worth less than $100,000, you can use an alternative process to administer the estate under West Virginia’s 2021 Small Estate Act.

  • When can the executor start distributing the decedent’s assets in Charleston?

    Even though clearly named in the will, the executor will only have the authority to start administering the decedent’s estate after he or she is appointed by the court as fiduciary of the estate and provide a surety bond. This is according to West Virginia Code Section 44-1-1. The appointment of a probate fiduciary in Charleston is usually made within 30 days of the decedent’s death.

  • For which reasons can you file a will contest during probate in Charleston?

    Potential heirs and beneficiaries can challenge the validity of the decedent’s will in Charleston for the reasons below: Fraud – The decedent was deceived regarding what was written on the will Defective execution – Will formalities not followed, such as proper signing with the presence of a witness Undue influence – The decedent was coerced or influenced through threats and psychological pressure. Lack of or partial testamentary capacity – Will does not account for all of the decedent’s assets Vagueness – Terms stated in the will are unclear

  • Should the executor of a Charleston probated estate pay for the decedent’s debts first over other expenses?

    No. West Virginia Code Section 44-2-21 indicates in which order claims should be settled. Section 44-2-21 (b) also states that debts that are due shall not take preference over debts that are not yet due. The Charleston estate executor should pay off debts and claims in this order:

    • Estate administration expenses
    • Funeral expenses
    • Taxes and debts under federal law
    • Child support owed and due
    • Taxes and debts under state law
    • Medical expenses related to the decedent’s last illness
  • What do you do with the will if the estate is small and does not need probate in Charleston?

    You must submit the will to the county clerk’s office within 30 days of the decedent’s passing. The document will simply be put on hold. Information about the estate will not be gathered, and claims cannot be made against it as no probate is initiated. Consult a local probate lawyer in Charleston to ensure the decedent's estate is probate exempt.