West Virginia · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in West Virginia: get back what you're owed

Eight free guides for West Virginia, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in West Virginia

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$20,000
Court
Magistrate Court
Filing fee
$30–$50
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in West Virginia

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
60 days (45 after re-rental, if sooner)
Security deposit limit
No statewide limit
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
No notice required
Notice before the landlord enters
No statute

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in West Virginia

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
West Virginia Division of Labor
Minimum wage (2026)
$8.75
Final paycheck if fired
Next payday
Deadline to file a wage claim
See the guide

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in West Virginia

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
12 months
What makes it a lemon
3 repairs · 1 if unsafe · 30 calendar days
Covers used cars
Yes
Before you sue
If maker has a program

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in West Virginia

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
February (protest by Feb 20; county BER)
Where you appeal first
County Board of Equalization and Review (county commission)
Median effective tax rate
0.53%
Median yearly tax on a home
$865

Closed for 2026As of October 21, 2026, the 2026 appeal season is over: county boards met in February 2026 and the March 31, 2026 deadline to appeal to the Office of Tax Appeals has passed. Values for tax year 2027 were set as of July 1, 2026, so you can talk to your assessor now; increase notices go out by January 15, 2027, and the county boards meet in February 2027 (written protest by February 20, 2027, or earlier if your county says so). (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in West Virginia

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
No general exemption
Homestead deadline
See the guide
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
See the rules

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in West Virginia

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
West Virginia Unclaimed Property (WVUnclaimedProperty.gov)
Held by the state
Over $476 million (July 2025)
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in West Virginia

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
1 year (with exceptions)
Waiting period
No statutory wait found
Filing fee
$135

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in West Virginia

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in West Virginia
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract10 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement5 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage2 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit60 days (45 after re-rental, if sooner)Tenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rentNo notice requiredTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claimSee the guideWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedNext paydayWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period12 monthsLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineSue within 1 year after the express warranty term ends (W. Va. Code § 46A-6A-4(d)).Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appealFebruary (protest by Feb 20; county BER)Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineSee the guideExemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file1 year (with exceptions)Divorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting periodNo statutory wait foundDivorce Law Map

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