State guide
Virginia
Virginia's creditor-notice system is now in Code § 64.2-508.1, which lets a personal representative publish a notice to creditors after qualification. The Virginia Judicial System also provides probate self-help pages and statewide fiduciary forms, including the small-estate affidavit form.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Publishing the notice
- Publication is optional rather than mandatory: the personal representative may publish notice once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in a qualifying newspaper of general circulation in the city or county of qualification.
- Creditor claim deadline
- Later of at least 6 months after first publication or 90 days after mailed/delivered notice
- Law
- Va. Code § 64.2-508.1; Va. Code § 8.01-324
- Small-estate limit
- $75,000 in entire personal probate estate
Official resources in Virginia
Official Virginia Judicial System self-help page introducing probate and related court processes.
Official self-help page linking Virginia probate forms used by residents and self-represented filers.
Official Virginia court forms page with fiduciary forms, including Notice to Creditors and Small Estate Affidavit.
Official Virginia statute governing notice to creditors for presentation of claims against a decedent.
Official Virginia small-estate statute with the current affidavit threshold and waiting period.
Key facts for Virginia
- A personal representative may publish notice to creditors once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation.
- If notice is published, claims must be presented by the later of at least 6 months from first publication or 90 days after mailed notice.
- Virginia requires the personal representative to mail or personally deliver the published notice to actually known disputed creditors reasonably ascertainable by diligence.
- Virginia small-estate affidavit practice applies when the decedent's entire personal probate estate does not exceed $75,000.
- A qualifying newspaper of general circulation must meet § 8.01-324 requirements, including paid subscribers and weekly print publication.
What to do next
- After qualification, decide quickly whether to use the optional creditor-notice publication because it sets a claims timetable.
- Check the fiduciary forms page for the current Notice to Creditors and Small Estate Affidavit forms before preparing papers.
- If you know of disputed creditors, document your diligence and mail notices at the same time publication begins.
Helpful guides
- What is a notice to creditors in probate?
- How to publish a probate notice in a newspaper
- How much does it cost to publish a probate notice?
- What counts as a legal newspaper for probate notices
Creditor deadline calculator →