Escheats

This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Aug 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

This is Chapter 24 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Escheats.” It is part of Subtitle V “Miscellaneous”, which is part of Title 55.1 “Property and Conveyances”. It contains 42 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 42 sections.

§ 55.1-2400	Definition
§ 55.1-2401	Appointment of escheators
§ 55.1-2402	Bond of escheator
§ 55.1-2403	Increase or reduction of penalty of escheator's bond; effect
§ 55.1-2404	Annual report to escheator; lands not liable
§ 55.1-2405	Escheator to hold inquest; notice of inquest
§ 55.1-2406	Jury of inquest; presentation of evidence
§ 55.1-2407	Attendance of jurors; compensation
§ 55.1-2408	How verdict signed; where returned and recorded
§ 55.1-2409	Proceedings to claim land escheated
§ 55.1-2410	Trial by jury; judgment of court
§ 55.1-2411	Facts or evidence to be certified
§ 55.1-2412	Lands may be committed to claimant while claim pending
§ 55.1-2413	Disposition of lands while claim is pending, if not committed to claimant
§ 55.1-2414	Escheator to notify State Treasurer of claim and decision
§ 55.1-2415	Escheators to certify lands escheated
§ 55.1-2416	Removal of parcels from the certificate
§ 55.1-2417	Escheat of property with hazardous materials
§ 55.1-2418	Publication of escheator's certificate
§ 55.1-2419	Order of sale by Governor
§ 55.1-2420	Form of sale agreement; notice of right to refund
§ 55.1-2421	When grant to issue to purchaser; reimbursable expenses
§ 55.1-2422	Form of grant of escheated property
§ 55.1-2423	Governor to sign and seal grant; Librarian of Virginia to record it; delivery to and by State Treasurer
§ 55.1-2424	Recordation of certified copy of grant
§ 55.1-2425	Resale in case of default
§ 55.1-2426	Reports by escheators to State Treasurer
§ 55.1-2427	Reports by State Treasurer to the Governor; penalty on escheators for failure of duty
§ 55.1-2428	State Treasurer may examine records of any escheator, commissioner of the revenue, or treasurer
§ 55.1-2429	When State Treasurer to issue grant to purchaser
§ 55.1-2430	Escheator's pay
§ 55.1-2431	Escheat of estates in trust and equitable titles
§ 55.1-2432	Provision in favor of tenant of escheated land
§ 55.1-2433	In favor of creditor of decedent
§ 55.1-2434	Escheators to defend on behalf of Commonwealth
§ 55.1-2435	Recovery by escheator of decedent's escheated residue and of property abandoned or derelict; fee
§ 55.1-2436	Publication of action; what to state and require
§ 55.1-2437	Order of the court
§ 55.1-2438	How money paid into state treasury from escheats may be recovered
§ 55.1-2439	Regulations of the State Treasurer
§ 55.1-2440	Continuation of certain statutes
§ 55.1-2441	Pendency of escheat proceedings no bar to condemnation proceedings