AGGRESSIVE REPRESENTATION
At Chris Pritt Law, we provide quality legal services in a wide variety of practice areas. These include:
Divorce
Child Custody
Child Support
Paternity
Wills & Trusts
Adoptions
Medical Powers of Attorney
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders
Estate Disputes
Prenuptial Agreements
Durable Powers of Attorney
Property Deeds
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for all the care and concern you have shown me, and for working tirelessly to ensure that the law worked in our favor."
EM. G
Last will adn testament lawyers
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What Happens to Your Family If You Don't Have a Will?
It's an uncomfortable question. But it's the right one to start with.
If you pass away without a valid will in West Virginia, the state steps in and makes decisions that should have been yours to make. Your assets get divided according to a strict legal method, one that has nothing to do with your actual relationships or intentions. A family member you'd never have chosen could end up in charge of your estate. Someone you meant to provide for could be left with nothing. And if you have minor children, a judge who doesn't know your family will decide who raises them.
This happens to real families in Charleston and across West Virginia every year, because someone kept meaning to get a will done and never got around to it.
The good news is that all of it is completely preventable.
This Is Exactly What We're Here For
At Chris Pritt Law, PLLC, our last will & testament lawyers help Charleston-area families get this taken care of the right way. We've sat down with hundreds of individuals and families, answered every question, and made sure their wishes are protected by a will that will actually hold up when it matters.
Our leading attorney, Chris Pritt, has over 18 years of experience in Charleston helping individuals develop personalized wills who come from all walks of life.
What a Last Will & Testament Actually Does
A will is a legal document that puts your wishes in writing and makes them enforceable. It tells the courts exactly what you want to happen with your property, your finances, and even your minor children when you're gone—so your family isn't left guessing, arguing, or at the hands of a legal process that doesn't know them.
Without one, West Virginia law decides all of that for you. A properly drafted will puts you back in control.
What Your Will Can Cover
A well-drafted will prepared by our last will & testament lawyers can address:
Who inherits your assets — Real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, personal belongings, and everything else you've accumulated during your life.
Who raises your children — If you have minor children, your will is where you name a guardian. This is often the most important decision parents can make, and far too many families leave it unaddressed.
Who handles your estate — You'll name an executor: someone you trust to carry out your wishes, manage paperwork, pay debts, and distribute your assets properly.
Specific gifts and bequests — A family heirloom for a sibling, a charitable donation, or a specific piece of property to a specific person. Your will is where those wishes become legally enforceable.
Your final wishes — Some people use their will to provide guidance on funeral and burial arrangements as well.
Thinking DIY? Think Again
Not every will holds up in court. West Virginia has specific legal requirements for a will to be considered valid. It must be signed in the presence of witnesses, those witnesses must meet certain qualifications, and the document itself must be drafted and executed correctly.
Wills that don't meet these requirements can be challenged or thrown out entirely, leaving your family in exactly the situation you were trying to prevent. That's why working with experienced last will & testament lawyers is how you make sure your wishes actually hold up when it counts.
Working With Chris Pritt Law Is Straightforward
We know that sitting down to talk about what happens when you're gone isn't most people's idea of a good time. We get it. Our job is to make the conversation easy, answer your questions honestly, and help you walk away feeling good about the plan you've put in place.
Here's how it works:
Step 1 — Schedule a consultation. We sit down with you, learn about your family and your goals, and give you a clear picture of what your will should include.
Step 2 — We draft your will. Our last will & testament lawyers prepare a document tailored to your situation, one that actually reflects your life and your wishes.
Step 3 — We review it together. You'll have the chance to ask questions, make changes, and make sure everything is exactly right before anything is finalized.
Step 4 — You sign it properly. We handle the execution process to make sure your will meets every legal requirement in West Virginia and will hold up when your family needs it to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a lawyer to write a will in West Virginia?
Technically, no, but the risks of doing it yourself are real. Online templates don't account for West Virginia's specific legal requirements, and a will that's improperly drafted or executed can be challenged or invalidated entirely. Having an attorney draft and oversee the process is the only way to be certain it's done right.
Can I update my will after it's been signed?
Absolutely. Your will should reflect your life as it actually is, not how it looked five or ten years ago. We make it easy to revisit and update your plan whenever something changes.
How long does it take to get a will done?
For most straightforward situations, the process moves quickly. After your initial consultation, we can typically have a draft ready for your review within a short turnaround, and finalize everything in just a few meetings.
Is a will enough, or do I need a trust too?
A will is a strong foundation, and for many people, it's all they need. Trusts offer additional perks, specifically around avoiding probate and managing assets for minor children or beneficiaries with special needs—but they're not the right fit for everyone. We'll give you an honest assessment of what makes sense for your situation during your consultation.
Contact Chris Pritt Law Today
Every week, families in Charleston end up at the Kanawha County Judicial Annex because someone kept meaning to get their plan in order. It takes time, costs money, and lands at the worst possible moment.
Chris Pritt Law has spent 18 years making sure Charleston families don't have to go through that. Our revocable living trust attorneys will give you a straight answer and a plan that protects the people you care about.
Address: 700 Washington Street, East Suite 204 Charleston, West Virginia 25301
Phone: (304) 720‐4412
Email: [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday: 8:30am – 5pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
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