Probate is the legal process of distributing a person’s property after they pass away, ensuring their assets are distributed to the rightful heirs and any outstanding debts are paid. The person who handles this process is called a personal representative, specifically an executor or administrator.
Virginia Code 64.2-504 requires most personal representatives of an estate to post a surety bond with the circuit court before being appointed. The Virginia legislature enacted the surety bond requirement to financially protect the estate's beneficiaries and creditors from any unethical actions of the personal representative.
Have any questions? Give us a call at (855) 470-0877 and speak to a live Virginia probate bond expert.
Virginia Code 64.2-504 states that the bond amount for personal representatives must equal the full value of the estate’s personal property under their control, at a minimum. However, if the decedent’s will allows the personal representative to sell real estate, the bond amount must cover the full value of all personal and real property in the estate.
The circuit court clerk overseeing your case will set the specific bond amount for each case and can increase or decrease the bond amount upon request of the personal representative, an interested party or at the court’s discretion.
The Virginia Personal Representative Bond costs a minimum of $85 per year. Apply online in minutes or call one of our probate bond experts at (855) 470-0877 to find out exactly how much your bond will cost.
The circuit court clerk sets the bond amount based on the fair market value of the estate’s assets listed on the initial petition for appointment. The bond amount must equal the value of all personal property under the fiduciary's control, at a minimum.
Jet Surety charges $85 per year for all personal representative bonds up to $11,000 in size. For each additional $1,000 increase in the bond amount, the bond premium will increase by the corresponding amount outlined in the table below. See the chart below to calculate the price for larger bonds.
Bond Amount | Additional Premium (per $1,000) | Bond Cost (1 year) |
---|---|---|
$0 - $11,000 | $85 flat rate | $85 |
$11,001 - $50,000 | $5.00 | $85 - $250 |
$50,001 - $200,000 | $3.75 | $250 - $813 |
$200,001 - $500,000 | $2.50 | $813 - $1,563 |
$500,001 - $1,000,000 | $1.00 | $1,563 - $2,063 |
$1,000,000+ | $0.50 | $2,063+ |
Jet does not require credit checks for applicants with bond sizes under $25,000 or under $50,000 if the applicant has retained an attorney. Personal representatives may also request the court to reimburse the bond premium from estate funds after filing their annual accounting. Call us at (855) 470-0877 for an estimate of how much your probate bond will cost.
Step 1 – Hire an Attorney
Although not explicitly required, it is highly recommended that personal representatives hire an attorney to assist with the probate process.
Step 2 – Determine Priority
According to VA Code 64.2-502, priority for appointment as a personal representative will be granted to the sole heir of the estate or any heir to the estate who applies and has written renunciations from all other heirs. To qualify for appointment, an individual must be at least 18 years old and be competent to serve as a fiduciary. The circuit court typically looks to appoint an heir in the decedent’s immediate family, such as a surviving spouse or child. Any person nominated as executor in the will has top priority for appointment in a testate administration.
Step 3 – File for Administration with the Court
Anyone seeking to apply for administration of an estate must contact the circuit court in the county where the decedent resided or owned property. A clerk will walk the personal representative through the appointment process, provide them with all required forms, and answer any questions they may have. Applicants must bring the following items to the appointment:
If the personal representative is not a resident of Virginia, they must bring a Virginia resident to either co-qualify or serve as their designated registered agent. The person appointed as personal representative must also take an oath to perform their duties as a fiduciary faithfully. Scroll to the bottom of this page for the list of circuit courts and their contact information.
Step 4 – Purchase a Surety Bond
Unless otherwise exempt, personal representatives must purchase and maintain a surety bond (exemptions outlined below).
According to VA Code 64.2-505, the court may waive the surety bond requirement for personal representatives in Virginia in the following situations:
The circuit court clerk may require a surety bond in any of the above scenarios if they deem it necessary for the protection of the estate. In some cases, they may only require a personal bond with no surety which can be obtained directly from the court.
Virginia requires personal representatives to purchase a surety bond as a prerequisite to being appointed as a fiduciary over an estate. The bond protects the heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors of the estate from financial harm if the personal representative fails to abide by the regulations outlined in VA Code 64.2-500 et seq.
Specifically, the bond protects beneficiaries and creditors if the personal representative fails to adhere to all court orders or mismanages the estate’s assets. In short, the bond is a type of insurance that protects the estate if the personal representative violates their fiduciary duties.
Personal representatives in Virginia have several key responsibilities in managing the probate process and settling the deceased person's estate. The primary duties are outlined in Title 64.2 of the Virginia Code and include the following:
Jet’s application process is simple and fast - our goal is to get the fiduciary bonded as quickly as possible so they can focus on their responsibilities. All we need is the bond amount and basic information about the estate.
Once completed and submitted, you will receive your purchase price immediately or a Jet underwriter will reach out for more information. Some of the factors Jet considers when underwriting these types of bonds:
Applicants for bond limits over $50,000 must submit documentation from the court for review, such as a petition for appointment and the order from the court requiring the bond. If you have any questions about applying, please call our probate underwriters at (855) 470-0877.
Virginia courts require the surety company to physically sign the probate bond at the courthouse during the formal qualification appointment. Due to this requirement, Jet typically requires an attorney to be hired or retained by the personal representative before issuing a probate bond in Virginia.
Jet (the Surety) and the personal representative must sign the original bond. Jet fills out the bond form, signs as the Surety, and sends the original bond to the representative to sign and file the completed bond with the circuit court. The court may require Jet to verify the authenticity of the bond. Jet will also send the representative an electronic copy of their bond for reference.
Jet will notify the administrator well in advance of the renewal date to ensure timely renewal payment. Jet will notify the attorney (when applicable) and the court if you do not pay for the renewal. If an attorney is involved, they may decide to pay the renewal bond premium, but the fiduciary must reimburse them. Upon being notified of failing to maintain the bond, the court may schedule a hearing to remove the fiduciary for not meeting court requirements.
The court will release the bond once the personal representative has paid all debts, distributed all assets, and provided a final accounting approved by the court. The personal representative must submit an annual accounting to the court if the estate settlement extends beyond a year.
After obtaining the notice of release, the personal representative simply needs to email a copy to [email protected] so that we can cancel the bond and issue any applicable refund due back to the personal representative.
Personal representatives have a critical role in the settlement of an estate and are relied on by the heirs, creditors, and the probate court to fulfill these obligations. Anyone appointed as a personal representative must adhere to all court orders and ensure they fulfill all responsibilities outlined in Title 64.2 of the Virginia Code.
Some examples of potential actions that could cause a claim:
An heir or creditor to the estate with proven financial damages caused by the personal representative may file a claim against their bond. While most personal representatives act with good intentions, occasional mismanagement or errors in accounting can lead to significant challenges for well-intentioned fiduciaries. To avoid these issues, we highly recommend that personal representatives retain the services of an attorney to assist in managing the case.
Upon receiving court notice of a claim on the bond, Jet has 30 days to pay the claim or ask for additional time to review it. Jet works tirelessly to protect our clients against faulty claims, so even if the court has requested a bond payout, we assess all documentation provided by the court and the fiduciary before paying out the claim. However, if a claim is valid and Jet pays the claimant, the personal representative must pay Jet back as the representative is ultimately liable for their own actions.
Below is a list of all the circuit courts located in the State of Virginia, as well as their addresses and contact information.
County Courthouse | Phone | Mailing Address | |
---|---|---|---|
Accomack County | (757) 787-5776 | P. O. Box 126 23316 Courthouse Avenue Accomack, VA 23301-0126 | [email protected] |
Albemarle County | (434) 972-4083 | 501 East Jefferson Street Charlottesville, VA 22902-5110 | [email protected] |
Alexandria County | (703) 746-4044 | 520 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 | [email protected] |
Amelia County | (804) 561-2128 | P. O. Box 237 Courthouse Square Amelia, VA 23002-0237 | [email protected] |
Amherst County | (434) 946-9321 | P. O. Box 462 113 Taylor Street Amherst, VA 24521 | [email protected] |
Appomattox County | (434) 352-5275 | 297 Court Street, Suite B P. O. Box 672 Appomattox, VA 24522-0672 | [email protected] |
Arlington County | (703) 228-7010 | 1425 North Courthouse Road Arlington, VA 22201 | [email protected] |
Augusta County | (540) 245-5321 | P.O. Box 689 Staunton, Virginia 24402-0689 | [email protected] |
Bath County | (540) 839-7226 | P. O. Box 180 Warm Springs, VA 24484-0180 | [email protected] |
Bedford County | (540) 586-7632 | 123 East Main St. Suite 201 Bedford, VA 24523 | [email protected] |
Bland County | (276) 688-4562 | 612 Main Street, Suite 104 Bland, VA 24315-0295 | [email protected] |
Botetourt County | (540) 473-8274 | P. O. Box 219 Fincastle, VA 24090-0219 | [email protected] |
Bristol County | (276) 645-7321 | 497 Cumberland Street Bristol, VA 24201 | [email protected] |
Brunswick County | (434) 848-2215 | 216 North Main Street Lawrenceville, VA 23868-0160 | [email protected] |
Buchanan County | (276) 935-6567 | Post Office Box 929 Grundy, VA 24614-7115 | [email protected] |
Buckingham County | (434) 969-4734 | P. O. Box 107 Buckingham, VA 23921-0107 | [email protected] |
Buena Vista County | (540) 261-8627 | 2039 Sycamore Avenue Buena Vista, VA 24416 | [email protected] |
Campbell County | (434) 592-9517 | P. O. Box 7 Rustburg, VA 24588-0007 | [email protected] |
Caroline County | (804) 633-5800 | 112 Courthouse Lane, Suite A Bowling Green, VA 22427-0309 | [email protected] |
Carroll County | (276) 730-3070 | P. O. Box 218 Hillsville, VA 24343-0218 | [email protected] |
Charles City County | (804) 652-2108 | 10780 Courthouse Road Charles City, VA 23030-0086 | [email protected] |
Charlotte County | (434) 542-5147 | P. O. Box 38 Charlotte Court House, VA 23923-0038 | [email protected] |
Charlottesville County | (434) 970-3766 | 315 East High Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 | [email protected] |
Chesapeake County | (757) 382-3000 | 307 Albemarle Drive, Suite 300A Chesapeake, VA 23322-5579 | [email protected] |
Chesterfield County | (804) 748-1241 | P. O. Box 125 Chesterfield, VA 23832-0125 | [email protected] |
Clarke County | (540) 955-5116 | 102 N. Church Street Berryville, VA 22611-0189 | [email protected] |
Colonial Heights County | (804) 520-9364 | P. O. Box 3401 Colonial Heights, VA 23834-3743 | [email protected] |
Craig County | (540) 864-6141 | Post Office Box 185 New Castle, VA 24127 | [email protected] |
Culpeper County | (540) 727-3438 | 135 W. Cameron Street Culpeper, VA 22701-3097 | [email protected] |
Cumberland County | (804) 492-4442 | P. O. Box 8 Cumberland, VA 23040-0008 | [email protected] |
Danville County | (434) 799-5168 | 401 Patton Street Danville, VA 24543 | [email protected] |
Dickenson County | (276) 926-1616 | 119 Court House Lane Clintwood, VA 24228-0190 | [email protected] |
Dinwiddie County | (804) 469-4540 | P. O. Box 63 Dinwiddie, VA 23841-0063 | [email protected] |
Essex County | (804) 443-3541 | P. O. Box 445 Tappahannock, VA 22560 | [email protected] |
Fairfax County | (703) 246-4111 | 4110 Chain Bridge Road Fairfax, VA 22030 | [email protected] |
Fauquier County | (540) 422-8100 | 29 Ashby Street Warrenton, VA 20186-3202 | [email protected] |
Floyd County | (540) 745-9330 | 100 East Main St., Room 200 Floyd, VA 24091-0057 | [email protected] |
Fluvanna County | (434) 591-1970 | P. O. Box 550 Palmyra, VA 22963 | [email protected] |
Franklin County | (540) 483-3065 | P. O. Box 567 Rocky Mount, VA 24151 | [email protected] |
Frederick County | (540) 667-5770 | 5 North Kent Street Winchester, VA 22601-5037 | [email protected] |
Fredericksburg County | (540) 372-1066 | 701 Princess Anne Street, Suite 100 Fredericksburg, VA 22401-5916 | [email protected] |
Giles County | (540) 921-1722 | P. O. Box 502 Pearisburg, VA 24134 | [email protected] |
Gloucester County | (804) 693-2502 | 7400 Justice Drive, Room 327 Gloucester, VA 23061 | [email protected] |
Goochland County | (804) 556-5353 | P. O. Box 196 Goochland, VA 23063 | [email protected] |
Grayson County | (276) 773-2231 | P. O. Box 130 Independence, VA 24348-0130 | [email protected] |
Greene County | (434) 985-5208 | P. O. Box 386 Stanardsville, VA 22973-0386 | [email protected] |
Greensville County | (434) 348-4215 | 337 South Main Street Emporia, VA 23847-0631 | [email protected] |
Halifax County | (434) 476-6211 | P. O. Box 729 Halifax, VA 24558-0729 | [email protected] |
Hampton County | (757) 727-6105 | P. O. Box 40 Hampton, VA 23669-0040 | [email protected] |
Hanover County | (804) 365-6151 | 7530 County Complex Road Hanover, VA 23069-0039 | [email protected] |
Henrico County | (804) 501-4202 | 4309 East Parham Road Henrico, VA 23273-0775 | [email protected] |
Henry County | (276) 634-4880 | 3160 Kings Mountain Rd. Martinsville, VA 24112-3966 | [email protected] |
Highland County | (540) 468-2447 | P. O. Box 190 Monterey, VA 24465-0190 | [email protected] |
Hopewell County | (804) 541-2239 | 100 E. Broadway, Room 251 Hopewell, VA 23860-2715 | [email protected] |
Isle of Wright County | (757) 365-6233 | P. O. Box 110 Isle of Wight, VA 23397-0110 | [email protected] |
James City County | (757) 564-2379 | 5201 Monticello Avenue Williamsburg, VA 23188-8218 | [email protected] |
King George County | (540) 775-3322 | 9483 Kings Highway, Suite 3 King George, VA 22485-3444 | [email protected] |
King William County | (804) 769-4936 | 351 Courthouse Lane, Suite 130 King William, VA 23086 | [email protected] |
King and Queen County | (804) 785-5984 | P. O. Box 67 King And Queen, VA 23085-0067 | [email protected] |
Lancaster County | (804) 462-5611 | Post Office Box 99 Lancaster, VA 22503 | [email protected] |
Lee County | (276) 346-7763 | 33640 Main Street Jonesville, VA 24263-0326 | [email protected] |
Loudoun County | (703) 777-0270 | P. O. Box 550 Leesburg, VA 20178 | [email protected] |
Louisa County | (540) 967-5312 | 100 W. Main Street Louisa, VA 23093-0037 | [email protected] |
Lunenburg County | (434) 696-2132 | 11435 Courthouse Road Lunenburg, VA 23952 | [email protected] |
Lynchburg County | (434) 455-2620 | P.O. Box 4 Lynchburg, VA 24505 | [email protected] |
Madison County | (540) 948-6888 | P. O. Box 220 Madison, VA 22727-0220 | [email protected] |
Martinsville County | (276) 403-5106 | P. O. Box 1206 Martinsville, VA 24114-1206 | [email protected] |
Mathews County | (804) 725-2550 | 10622 Buckley Hall Road Suite A Mathews, VA 23109 | [email protected] |
Mecklenburg County | (434) 738-6191 | P. O. Box 530 Boydton, VA 23917-0530 | [email protected] |
Middlesex County | (804) 758-5317 | P. O. Box 158 Saluda, VA 23149 | [email protected] |
Montgomery County | (540) 382-5760 | 55 East Main Street, Suite 1 Christiansburg, VA 24073 | [email protected] |
Nelson County | (434) 263-7020 | 84 Courthouse Square, 1st Floor Lovingston, VA 22949-0010 | [email protected] |
New Kent County | (804) 966-9520 | 12001 Courthouse Circle New Kent, VA 23124-0098 | [email protected] |
Newport News County | (757) 926-8561 | 2500 Washington Avenue Newport News, VA 23607-4307 | [email protected] |
Norfolk County | (757) 389-8942 | 150 St. Paul's Boulevard, 7th Floor Norfolk, VA 23510-2773 | [email protected] |
Northampton County | (757) 678-0465 | P. O. Box 36 Eastville, VA 23347-0036 | [email protected] |
Northumberland County | (804) 580-3700 | 220 Judicial Place Heathsville, VA 22473-0217 | [email protected] |
Nottoway County | (434) 645-9043 | P.O. Box 25 Nottoway, VA 23955-3619 | [email protected] |
Orange County | (540) 672-6162 | P. O. Box 230 Orange, VA 22960-0133 | [email protected] |
Page County | (540) 743-4064 | 116 South Court Street, Suite A Luray, VA 22835-1200 | [email protected] |
Patrick County | (276) 694-7213 | 101 W. Blue Ridge Street Stuart, VA 24171-1577 | [email protected] |
Petersburg County | (804) 733-2367 | 7 Courthouse Avenue Petersburg, VA 23803 | [email protected] |
Pittsylvania County | (434) 432-7887 | P.O. Box 31 Chatham, VA 24531-0031 | [email protected] |
Portsmouth County | (757) 393-8671 | P. O. Box 1217 Portsmouth, VA 23705-1217 | [email protected] |
Powhatan County | (804) 598-5660 | 3880 Old Buckingham Road, Ste C Powhatan, VA 23139-0037 | [email protected] |
Prince Edward County | (434) 392-5145 | P. O. Box 304 Farmville, VA 23901-0304 | [email protected] |
Prince George County | (804) 733-2640 | 6601 Courts Drive Prince George, VA 23875-0098 | [email protected] |
Prince William County | (703) 792-6015 | 9311 Lee Avenue Manassas, VA 20110 | [email protected] |
Pulaski County | (540) 980-7825 | 45 Third Street NW, Suite 101 Pulaski, VA 24301 | [email protected] |
Radford County | (540) 731-3610 | 619 Second Street, West Radford, VA 24141 | [email protected] |
Rappahannock County | (540) 675-5350 | P. O. Box 517 Washington, VA 22747-0517 | [email protected] |
Richmond County | (804) 646-6505 | 400 North Ninth Street Richmond, VA 23219 | [email protected] |
Roanoke County | (540) 387-6205 | 305 E. Main Street Salem, VA 24153-1126 | [email protected] |
Rockingham County | (540) 564-3111 | 80 Court Square Harrisonburg, VA 22802 | [email protected] |
Russell County | (276) 889-8023 | 83 East Main Street Lebanon, VA 24266-0435 | [email protected] |
Salem County | (540) 375-3067 | 2 East Calhoun Street Salem, VA 24153-7933 | [email protected] |
Scott County | (276) 386-3801 | 202 West Jackson Street, Ste 102 Gate City, VA 24251-3012 | [email protected] |
Shenandoah County | (540) 459-6150 | 112 South Main Street Woodstock, VA 22664-1423 | [email protected] |
Smyth County | (276) 782-4044 | 109 West Main Street, Suite 1081 Marion, VA 24354 | [email protected] |
Southampton County | (757) 653- 2200 | P.O. Box 190 Courtland, VA 23837 | [email protected] |
Spotsylvania County | (540) 507-7600 | 9107 Judicial Center Lane Spotsylvania, VA 22553-0096 | [email protected] |
Stafford County | (540) 658-8750 | 1300 Courthouse Road Stafford, VA 22555-0069 | [email protected] |
Staunton County | (540) 332-3874 | 113 East Beverley Street Staunton, VA 24401-4390 | [email protected] |
Suffolk County | (757) 514-7800 | 150 North Main Street Suffolk, VA 23439-1604 | [email protected] |
Surry County | (757) 294-3161 | 28 Colonial Trail, East Surry, VA 23883 | [email protected] |
Sussex County | (434) 246-1012 | P. O. Box 1337 Sussex, VA 23884 | [email protected] |
Tazewell County | (276) 385-1222 | 135 Court Street, Suite 202 Tazewell, VA 24651-1071 | [email protected] |
Virginia Beach County | (757) 385-8831 | 2425 Nimmo Parkway Building 10 & 10B, 3rd Floor Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9017 | [email protected] |
Warren County | (540) 635-2435 | 1 East Main Street Front Royal, VA 22630-3313 | [email protected] |
Washington County | (276) 676-6224 | 189 East Main Street Abingdon, VA 24210-2838 | [email protected] |
Waynesboro County | (540) 942-6616 | 250 South Wayne Avenue, Ste 202 Waynesboro, VA 22980-0910 | [email protected] |
Westmoreland County | (804) 493-0108 | P. O. Box 307 Montross, VA 22520-0307 | [email protected] |
Winchester County | (540) 667-5770 | 5 North Kent Street Winchester, VA 22601 | [email protected] |
Wise County | (276) 328-6111 | 206 East Main Street Wise, VA 24293-1248 | [email protected] |
Wythe County | (276) 223-6050 | 225 S. Fourth Street Room 105 Wytheville, VA 24382 | [email protected] |
York County | (757) 890-3350 | 300 Ballard Street Yorktown, VA 23690-0371 | [email protected] |