Closing an Estate in Virginia

The probate and estate administration attorneys of the northern Virginia law firm of HALE BALL MURPHY, PLC Carlson Baumgartner Murphy, PLC offer legal guidance to the executors—also referred to as the personal representatives—of estates in northern Virginia. We help clients make sure that their things are not left intestate and their affairs are in order, including making sure that their surviving spouse is taken care of after their passing. We are a full-service law firm with experienced attorneys that handles all phases of the probate process. Whether you are close to our office in Fairfax, nearby like in Annandale, or even farther away, we are here to help. Many personal representatives find themselves overwhelmed by the laws and requirements that accompany the position that they occupy. Among their chief concerns is knowing when the estate will close and what must be done to bring a conclusion to the business of settling the estate. If you are the executor of an estate in northern Virginia, our estate or probate lawyers can take you through the process step by step. Contact our Fairfax office at your earliest convenience.

Closing an Estate in Virginia

Before an estate is properly completed or closed in the commonwealth of Virginia, the Commissioner of Accounts must be certain that you have satisfied all of the requirements and obligations. This means that all creditor claims against the estate must be settled or dismissed, estate taxes must be paid, and the remaining assets must be distributed to the beneficiaries. In order for the Commissioner of Accounts to allow an estate to be closed, the personal representative must produce a Final Account of the estate.

The Final Account must show:

• All assets have been distributed to the beneficiaries and the balance of the account is zero
• The distribution of the assets to the beneficiaries was in conformance with the will. If there was no will, the distribution must have been made in accordance with Virginia law.

If all conditions have been satisfied, the Commissioner of Accounts will allow the estate to be closed. If you need an attorney to provide legal assistance for estates or trusts, contact one of our skilled attorneys today. We can handle every type of estate or trust, including non-traditional trusts like constructive or resulting trusts, and even pet trusts.

Full-Service Estate Planning and Probate Law firm of Northern Virginia

The probate and estate administration lawyers of HALE BALL MURPHY, PLC Carlson Baumgartner Murphy, PLC have handled the probate process for estates where they had been integral in the planning, and those estates where other firms prepared the wills but were not selected to assist with the probate process, and where the principal died intestate (without a will). If you are the executor of an estate, you are going to require legal advice upon which you can rely. Our professional and knowledgeable legal team can provide you with advice that can help minimize the estate’s tax liability, reduce payments to creditors, and accelerate the estate through the probate process. Contact our Fairfax, VA office online or at 1-703-591-4900 to schedule an appointment.