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.

  • When opening an estate the following must be provided at the meeting:
    1. Original death certificate or working copy (if you desire to open a Small Estate, the original death certificate from Vital Statistics is a requirement);
    2. Original Last Will and Testament, if one exists;
    3. If no Will exists and there exists more than one heir to the estate, the administrator/executor must post a surety bond (contact your insurance company);
    4. A list of beneficiary names and addresses must be provided;
    5. Photo identification of the person who wishes to be the Administrator/Executor; and
    6. Fees must be paid at the appointment by CHECK or CASH only. Fees are based upon the size of the estate and may not be paid in advance.

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.