<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>376092</law_id><section_number>64.2-2308</section_number><catch_line>Substitution of presumed decedent in pending actions; reopening of judgments; effect of judgments</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="136" identifier="64.2">Wills, Trusts, and Fiduciaries</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="5" identifier="V">Provisions Applicable to Probate and Nonprobate Transfers</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="2" identifier="23">Persons Presumed Dead</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> After <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> of the <span class="dictionary">order</span> determining death, the person who had been determined to be dead may: <a id="paragraph-1404305" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2308/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Be substituted as <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> in all actions previously brought by his <span class="dictionary">personal representative</span>, whether prosecuted to <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> or otherwise, on suggestion filed by such person; and <a id="paragraph-1404306" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2308/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Be substituted as <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> in all actions previously brought against his <span class="dictionary">personal representative</span>, on suggestion filed by such person or the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> to the action. If such person is substituted as <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>, he shall not be compelled to go to <span class="dictionary">trial</span> in less than three months from the time that such suggestion is filed. <a id="paragraph-1404307" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2308/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Upon application by the presumed decedent, <span class="dictionary">judgments</span> recovered against the <span class="dictionary">personal representative</span> before <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> of the <span class="dictionary">order</span> determining death may be opened. Such application by the presumed decedent shall be made within three months from the date of the <span class="dictionary">revocation</span> and shall be supported by an <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span> that specifically denies the cause of the action, in whole or in part, or specifically alleges the existence of <span class="dictionary">facts</span> that would constitute a valid defense. However, if no application is made during the three-month period, or, if an application is made but the <span class="dictionary">facts</span> exhibited are adjudged to be insufficient to constitute a defense, the <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> shall be conclusive for all <span class="dictionary">intents</span>. After the substitution of the presumed decedent as <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> to any <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> pursuant to subdivision A 2, the <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> shall become a <span class="dictionary">lien</span> upon his real estate and shall so continue as other <span class="dictionary">judgments</span>. <a id="paragraph-1404308" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2308/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 64-110; 1968, c. 656, &#xA7; 64.1-114; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 156; 2006, c. 351; 2012, c. 614.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
