Fiduciary Supervisor

OFFICE OF THE FIDUCIARY SUPERVISOR
STEPS FOR OPENING AN ESTATE IN GREENBRIER COUNTY

  • In order to distribute a decedent’s assets, an Estate must be opened with the Office of the Fiduciary Supervisor in the Offices of the Greenbrier County Commission, which are located in the Greenbrier County Courthouse, 912 Court Street N, Lewisburg, West Virginia.
  • Make an appointment with the Fiduciary Supervisor to open the decedent’s estate by calling 304-647-6689. Estates can be opened ONLY BY APPOINTMENT and must be attended IN PERSON with a photo ID unless you are represented by an attorney.
  • Before your appointment with the Fiduciary Supervisor:

Step 1: Obtain original death certificates or certified copies.
Step 2: Locate the original copy of the Will if one exists.
Step 3: Make a list of all eligible heirs to the estate.
Step 4: Have a rough idea of the type and value of the estate assets.

  • What is needed to open an estate?:
    1. Original death certificate or working copy. A Working copy will only be accepted in emergencies, and only for the surviving spouse or executor named in a will,
    2. Original Last Will and Testament, if one was executed by the deceased, (a copy of the will CANNOT be accepted), or
    3. A Surety Bond. If there is no will, and there is more than one heir, the administrator will need to be bonded. A surety bond for an estate is done through an insurance agent. You will need to know the approximate value of everything in the deceased person’s name only. Do not include the value of real estate in this calculation.
    4. List of Heirs and/or Beneficiaries and their addresses, no matter the size of the inheritance or bequest.
    5. Photo ID of the party opening the estate.
    6. Fees for opening the estate. The exact amount is assessed at the appointment opening the estate and can range from approximately $75.00 to $275.00. If you pay by check, please provide 2 separate checks.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES

  • Notify immediate family and close friends.
  • Contact the funeral home, which will provide the original death certificates (obtain several) and may assist with an obituary and service arrangements.
  • Immediately secure the home: Be sure valuables are locked up, clean out the refrigerator, ask someone to look after pets, water plants, pick up the mail and have someone stay in the house, especially during scheduled funeral services.
  • Notify the decedent’s place of work or veteran’s administration (if applicable); obtain information regarding coordination of benefits.
  • Locate the decedent’s will and other important papers.
  • Contact the decedent’s lawyer and/or executor of the estate.
  • Notify the Social Security Administration.
  • Locate life insurance policies and notify those companies as appropriate.
  • To prevent identify theft:
    • Alert credit card companies and credit reporting agency to freeze credit accounts.
    • Notify DMV to cancel driver’s license.
    • Cancel email accounts and delete social media accounts.
  • Cancel prescriptions, services, and subscriptions.
  • Notify the decedent’s bank.
  • Cancel unnecessary automatic bill payments.