Virginia Beach Probate Help

• Administrator The individual appointed by the Clerk to manage the estate when there is no will, or if the named executors cannot serve.
• Beneficiary / Legatee An individual or entity legally entitled to receive a share of the estate's assets.
• Certificate of Qualification Often called "Letters Testamentary," this is the formal document authorizing the personal representative to act.
• Commissioner of Accounts A court-appointed official who supervises fiduciaries and reviews all estate inventories and accountings.
• Executor The specific person named in the will to oversee the estate who has "qualified" before the Clerk of Court.
• Fiduciary A person in a position of trust (Executor, Administrator, or Trustee) responsible for managing another's property.
• Intestate Dying without a legally valid will, which triggers Virginia's laws of "Intestate Succession."
• Inventory A detailed schedule of the decedent’s assets filed by the personal representative on a standard Clerk’s form.
• Personal Representative A generic term that refers to either an Executor or an Administrator.
• Self-Proving Affidavit A notarized statement attached to a will that confirms it was signed and witnessed according to Virginia law, speeding up probate.
• Testator The person who created the will.

This glossary is provided for informational purposes by Explore Coastal Virginia Homes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific interpretations of Virginia Code, please consult a qualified probate attorney.