<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>376229</law_id><section_number>64.2-421</section_number><catch_line>Construction of certain conditions of spouse&amp;#8217;s survivorship</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="2" identifier="II">Wills and Decedents' Estates</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="3" identifier="4">Wills</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="3" identifier="3">Construction and Effect</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> If property passes from the decedent or is acquired from the decedent by reason of the decedent&#x2019;s death under a <span class="dictionary">will</span> or trust that provides that the spouse of the decedent shall survive until the distribution of the gift, the <span class="dictionary">will</span> or trust shall be construed as requiring that the spouse survive until the earlier of the date on which the distribution occurs or the date six months after the date of the death of the testator or decedent, unless the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall find that the decedent intended a contrary result. <a id="paragraph-1404724" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-421/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The proceeding to determine whether the decedent intended that the spouse actually survive until the distribution of the gift shall be filed within 12 months following the death of the decedent. It may be filed by the <span class="dictionary">personal representative</span> or any affected beneficiary under the <span class="dictionary">will</span> or other instrument. <a id="paragraph-1404725" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-421/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1997, c. 263, &#xA7; 64.1-66.2; 2012, c. 614.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
