{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/20-64.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/20-64.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/20-64.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/20-64.html"}],"law_id":353686,"edition_id":2,"section_id":353686,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-64","catch_line":"Proceedings instituted by petition","history":"1944, p. 211; Michie Suppl. 1946, \u00a7 1937; 1974, c. 464; 2002, c. 747.","full_text":"Proceedings under this chapter may be instituted upon petition, verified by oath or affirmation, filed by the spouse or child or by any probation officer or by any state or local law-enforcement officer or by the Department of Social Services upon information received, or by any other person having knowledge of the facts, and the petition shall set forth the facts and circumstances of the case.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1317631,"text":"Proceedings under this chapter may be instituted upon petition, verified by oath or affirmation, filed by the spouse or child or by any probation officer or by any state or local law-enforcement officer or by the Department of Social Services upon information received, or by any other person having knowledge of the facts, and the petition shall set forth the facts and circumstances of the case.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":50639,"edition_id":2,"name":"Desertion and Nonsupport","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":7,"parent_id":50619,"metadata":{"child_laws":40,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:33","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:50","permalink":{"id":1405423,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50639,"identifier":"5","token":"20\/5","url":"\/20\/5\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50619,"edition_id":2,"name":"Domestic Relations","identifier":"20","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":56,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":329,"child_structures":36},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:08","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:49","permalink":{"id":1405077,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50619,"identifier":"20","token":"20","url":"\/20\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":353683,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-61","catch_line":"Desertion or nonsupport of wife, husband or children in necessitous circumstances","url":"\/20-61\/","token":"20\/5\/20-61","metadata":false},{"id":353681,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-61.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-61.1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-61.1","metadata":false},{"id":353682,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-61.3","catch_line":"Consequences of a putative father failing to appear","url":"\/20-61.3\/","token":"20\/5\/20-61.3","metadata":false},{"id":353684,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-62","catch_line":"Commitment to workhouse, city farm or work squad for such desertion","url":"\/20-62\/","token":"20\/5\/20-62","metadata":false},{"id":353685,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-63","catch_line":"Support payments by county or city","url":"\/20-63\/","token":"20\/5\/20-63","metadata":false},{"id":353686,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-64","catch_line":"Proceedings instituted by petition","url":"\/20-64\/","token":"20\/5\/20-64","metadata":false},{"id":353687,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-65","catch_line":"Summons or warrant; investigation and hearing","url":"\/20-65\/","token":"20\/5\/20-65","metadata":false},{"id":353688,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-66","catch_line":"Contempt proceedings; trial in absence of defendant","url":"\/20-66\/","token":"20\/5\/20-66","metadata":false},{"id":353689,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-67","catch_line":"Jurisdiction","url":"\/20-67\/","token":"20\/5\/20-67","metadata":false},{"id":353690,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-68","catch_line":"Appeal","url":"\/20-68\/","token":"20\/5\/20-68","metadata":false},{"id":353691,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-69","catch_line":"Fees of officers","url":"\/20-69\/","token":"20\/5\/20-69","metadata":false},{"id":353692,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-70","catch_line":"No warrant of arrest to issue","url":"\/20-70\/","token":"20\/5\/20-70","metadata":false},{"id":353694,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-71","catch_line":"Temporary orders for support","url":"\/20-71\/","token":"20\/5\/20-71","metadata":false},{"id":353693,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-71.1","catch_line":"Attorneys' fees in proceedings under \u00a7 20-71","url":"\/20-71.1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-71.1","metadata":false},{"id":353695,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-72","catch_line":"Probation on order directing defendant to pay and enter recognizance","url":"\/20-72\/","token":"20\/5\/20-72","metadata":false},{"id":353696,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-73","catch_line":"Condition of the recognizance","url":"\/20-73\/","token":"20\/5\/20-73","metadata":false},{"id":353697,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-74","catch_line":"Support orders to remain in effect until annulled; modification","url":"\/20-74\/","token":"20\/5\/20-74","metadata":false},{"id":353698,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-75","catch_line":"Procedure when accused outside territorial jurisdiction","url":"\/20-75\/","token":"20\/5\/20-75","metadata":false},{"id":353699,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-76","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-76\/","token":"20\/5\/20-76","metadata":false},{"id":353700,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-77","catch_line":"When authority to suspend sentence may be exercised; deduction of certain time from sentence","url":"\/20-77\/","token":"20\/5\/20-77","metadata":false},{"id":353703,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-78","catch_line":"Continuance of failure to support after completion of sentence","url":"\/20-78\/","token":"20\/5\/20-78","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Lisa J. Wills v. W. Neil Wills","case_number":"0144204","citation":null,"date":"2021-02-09","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4854921\/lisa-j-wills-v-w-neil-wills\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Vinnedge v. Gibbs","case_number":"77-2248","citation":"571 F.2d 579","date":"1978-03-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/353542\/vinnedge-v-gibbs\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 571 F.2d 579 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"2":{"name":"Wills v. Wills (ORDER)","case_number":"210318","citation":null,"date":"2022-04-07","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/6459328\/wills-v-wills-order\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. VIRGINIA: .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"W. Neil Wills v. Lisa J. Wills","case_number":"0117204","citation":null,"date":"2021-02-09","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4854919\/w-neil-wills-v-lisa-j-wills\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"4":{"name":"Arthur G. Kahn v. Eileen McNicholas","case_number":"0982164","citation":"67 Va. App. 215","date":"2017-01-31","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4343925\/arthur-g-kahn-v-eileen-mcnicholas\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. *220 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"5":{"name":"Chattin v. Chattin","case_number":"Record 920653","citation":"427 S.E.2d 347","date":"1993-02-26","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1262965\/chattin-v-chattin\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 427 S.E.2d 347 (1993) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"6":{"name":"Butler v. Butler","case_number":"Record 790350","citation":"277 S.E.2d 180","date":"1981-04-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1309919\/butler-v-butler\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 277 S.E.2d 180 (1981) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"7":{"name":"Gregory Warren Beaver v. J.D. Netherland, Warden","case_number":"95-4003","citation":"101 F.3d 977","date":"1996-11-12","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/730846\/gregory-warren-beaver-v-jd-netherland-warden\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. *978AMENDED ORDER .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"8":{"name":"Ford v. Purvis","case_number":"78-6321","citation":"584 F.2d 976","date":"1978-09-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/360041\/ford-v-purvis\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 584 F.2d 976 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"9":{"name":"Cogdell, in Re","case_number":"78-6586","citation":"588 F.2d 1347","date":"1978-12-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/361969\/cogdell-in-re\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 588 F.2d 1347 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"}}}},{"id":353701,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-78.1","catch_line":"Effect of entry of support order in certain garnishment proceedings","url":"\/20-78.1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-78.1","metadata":false},{"id":353702,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-78.2","catch_line":"Attorney fees and interest on support arrearage","url":"\/20-78.2\/","token":"20\/5\/20-78.2","metadata":false},{"id":353707,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-79","catch_line":"Effect of divorce proceedings","url":"\/20-79\/","token":"20\/5\/20-79","metadata":false},{"id":353704,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-79.1","catch_line":"Enforcement of support orders; income deduction; penalty for wrongful discharge","url":"\/20-79.1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-79.1","metadata":false},{"id":353705,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-79.2","catch_line":"Immediate income deduction; income withholding","url":"\/20-79.2\/","token":"20\/5\/20-79.2","metadata":false},{"id":353706,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-79.3","catch_line":"Information required in income deduction order","url":"\/20-79.3\/","token":"20\/5\/20-79.3","metadata":false},{"id":353708,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-80","catch_line":"Violation of orders; trial; forfeiture of recognizance","url":"\/20-80\/","token":"20\/5\/20-80","metadata":false},{"id":353709,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-81","catch_line":"Presumptions as to desertion and abandonment","url":"\/20-81\/","token":"20\/5\/20-81","metadata":false},{"id":353710,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-82","catch_line":"Spouses competent as witnesses","url":"\/20-82\/","token":"20\/5\/20-82","metadata":false},{"id":353712,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-83","catch_line":"Venue of offense","url":"\/20-83\/","token":"20\/5\/20-83","metadata":false},{"id":353711,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-83.1","catch_line":"Transfer of cases between courts in certain instances","url":"\/20-83.1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-83.1","metadata":false},{"id":353713,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-84","catch_line":"Extradition","url":"\/20-84\/","token":"20\/5\/20-84","metadata":false},{"id":353714,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-85","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-85\/","token":"20\/5\/20-85","metadata":false},{"id":353716,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-87","catch_line":"Arrest for violating directions, rules or regulations given by judge","url":"\/20-87\/","token":"20\/5\/20-87","metadata":false},{"id":353715,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-87.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-87.1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-87.1","metadata":false},{"id":353799,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-88","catch_line":"Support of parents by children","url":"\/20-88\/","token":"20\/5\/20-88","metadata":false},{"id":353717,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-88.01","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-88.01\/","token":"20\/5\/20-88.01","metadata":false},{"id":353718,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-88.02","catch_line":"Transfer of assets to qualify for assistance; liability of transferees","url":"\/20-88.02\/","token":"20\/5\/20-88.02","metadata":false},{"id":353719,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-88.02:1","catch_line":"Limitations on spousal support orders resulting in eligibility for medical assistance services; definitions","url":"\/20-88.02_1\/","token":"20\/5\/20-88.02_1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":353685,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-63","catch_line":"Support payments by county or city","url":"\/20-63\/","token":"20\/5\/20-63","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":353687,"structure_id":50639,"section_number":"20-65","catch_line":"Summons or warrant; investigation and hearing","url":"\/20-65\/","token":"20\/5\/20-65","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/20-64\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1974, chapter 464; in 2002, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0747\">747<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1405445,"object_type":"law","relational_id":353686,"identifier":"20-64","token":"20\/5\/20-64","url":"\/20-64\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/20-64\/","token":"20\/5\/20-64","dublin_core":{"Title":"Proceedings instituted by petition","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 20-64","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Proceedings under this chapter may be instituted upon <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span>, verified by <span class=\"dictionary\">oath<\/span> or affirmation, filed by the spouse or child or by any <span class=\"dictionary\">probation officer<\/span> or by any state or local <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement officer or by the Department of Social Services upon information received, or by any other person having knowledge of the <span class=\"dictionary\">facts<\/span>, and the <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> shall set forth the <span class=\"dictionary\">facts<\/span> and circumstances of the case.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED BY PETITION (\u00a7 20-64)\n\nProceedings under this chapter may be instituted upon petition, verified by oath\nor affirmation, filed by the spouse or child or by any probation officer or by\nany state or local law-enforcement officer or by the Department of Social\nServices upon information received, or by any other person having knowledge of\nthe facts, and the petition shall set forth the facts and circumstances of the\ncase.\n\nHISTORY: 1944, p. 211; Michie Suppl. 1946, \u00a7 1937; 1974, c. 464; 2002, c. 747.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}