IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF WETZEL COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
JAMES K. SMITH,
Petitioner,
vs.
THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF RICHARD STEPHEN NORMAN,
Respondents.
Civil Action No. 19-P-17
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
Richard Stephen Norman died intestate on February 9,
2024. During his lifetime, Richard Stephen Norman was
the beneficiary of a trust created by his mother, E.
Deloris Norman dated May 8, 1987 and designated as
the “Richard Stephen Norman Revocable Trust”.
The Richard Stephen Norman Trust did not include
successor provisions for the position of Trustee, nor did
it include successor provisions for the distribution of
remaining trust assets. The object of the above-entitled
civil action is to obtain an Order as follows:
a. that the Petitioner be declared the Successor Trustee
of the Richard Stephen Norman Trust;
b. that the existence and location of heir of Richard
Stephen Norman is unknown and cannot be determined
and therefore the Unknown Heirs of Richard Stephen
Norman be made parties to this civil action; and,
c. that the Successor Trustee be granted authority to
distribute the remaining assets of the Richard Stephen
Norman Trust in accordance with West Virginia Code
§44D-4-412(c).
It is ORDERED that the Defendants do serve upon
Philip J. Bowser, Petitioner’s attorney, whose address is
Post Office Box 189, New Martinsville, West Virginia
26155, an Answer of their defense to the Petition filed in
this civil action on or before the 14th day of February,
2026, otherwise judgment by default will be taken
against them at anytime hereafter. A copy of the Petition
can be obtained from the undersigned Clerk at her
office.
Entered by the Clerk of this Court on the 7th day of
January, 2026.
Lori McCoy
Wetzel County Circuit Clerk
P.O. Box 263
New Martinsville, West Virginia
16542