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Commission leaves Joanna Harrell as personal representative for 45 days to complete estate paperwork
Summary
Facing cross-jurisdictional paperwork and a pending North Carolina title dispute, the commission left Joanna Harrell as administrator of the Pauline Samples estate and gave her 45 days to file the long-form settlement.
Fayette County commissioners agreed to leave Joanna Harrell listed as the personal representative for the estate of Pauline Samples and gave her 45 days to submit required final settlement paperwork in West Virginia, or the commission will revisit the matter.
County Clerk Michelle (last name not specified in record) and a county legal adviser explained there are two procedural options to close the West Virginia probate: a short form that requires every heir's signature or a long form that sets out how the estate was distributed and requires service on heirs with an opportunity to object. The commission and clerk said the short form likely requires cooperation from all heirs, which may not be realistic, so the long form appears to be the more feasible route.
Harrell, participating by phone, said she has "some documentation" about distributions and that she would contact family members who might hold missing records; she agreed to try to get the paperwork completed. Prosecuting attorney-level counsel and staff noted the commission could appoint the sheriff or another heir as administrator if Harrell fails to comply.
The commission voted to keep Harrell as personal representative for an additional 45 days and to revisit replacement only if the paperwork is not submitted in that period. The clerk—s office will provide Harrell with form guidance and follow-up instructions.
