{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/64.2-449.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/64.2-449.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/64.2-449.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/64.2-449.html"}],"law_id":54444,"edition_id":1,"section_id":54444,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-449","catch_line":"Procedure in probate proceedings","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 64-77, 64-82, 64-87; 1968, c. 656, \u00a7\u00a7 64.1-81, 64.1-86, 64.1-91; 2012, c. 614; 2015, c. 631.","full_text":"A\n\nIn every probate proceeding, the court or clerk may require all testamentary papers of the testator be produced and may compel the production of the will of a testator that is in the custody of any person.B\n\nA summons may be served by an order of publication on any person interested in the probate of the will in accordance with § 8.01-316.C\n\nThe court may appoint a guardian ad litem for any person interested in the probate of the will in accordance with § 8.01-9.D\n\nThe record of the testimony given by witnesses in court on the motion to admit a will to probate and any out of court depositions of witnesses who cannot be produced at a jury trial may be admitted as evidence and given such weight as the jury deems proper.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":199809,"text":"In every probate proceeding, the court or clerk may require all testamentary papers of the testator be produced and may compel the production of the will of a testator that is in the custody of any person.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":199810,"text":"A summons may be served by an order of publication on any person interested in the probate of the will in accordance with § 8.01-316.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":199811,"text":"The court may appoint a guardian ad litem for any person interested in the probate of the will in accordance with § 8.01-9.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":199812,"text":"The record of the testimony given by witnesses in court on the motion to admit a will to probate and any out of court depositions of witnesses who cannot be produced at a jury trial may be admitted as evidence and given such weight as the jury deems proper.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13481,"edition_id":1,"name":"Probate","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13480,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:58","permalink":{"id":273307,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13481,"identifier":"5","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5","url":"\/64.2\/II\/4\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13480,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wills","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12863,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:58","permalink":{"id":273121,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13480,"identifier":"4","token":"64.2\/II\/4","url":"\/64.2\/II\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12863,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wills and Decedents' Estates","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12723,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:57","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:57","permalink":{"id":272911,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12863,"identifier":"II","token":"64.2\/II","url":"\/64.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12723,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wills, Trusts, and Fiduciaries","identifier":"64.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":272781,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12723,"identifier":"64.2","token":"64.2","url":"\/64.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":71870,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-443","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of probate of wills","url":"\/64.2-443\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-443","metadata":false},{"id":81738,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-444","catch_line":"Clerks may probate wills","url":"\/64.2-444\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-444","metadata":false},{"id":72738,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-445","catch_line":"Appeal from order of clerk","url":"\/64.2-445\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-445","metadata":false},{"id":63573,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-446","catch_line":"Motion for probate; process against persons interested in probate","url":"\/64.2-446\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-446","metadata":false},{"id":82982,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-447","catch_line":"Use of depositions","url":"\/64.2-447\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-447","metadata":false},{"id":81785,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-448","catch_line":"Complaint to impeach or establish a will; limitation of action; venue","url":"\/64.2-448\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-448","metadata":false},{"id":54444,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-449","catch_line":"Procedure in probate proceedings","url":"\/64.2-449\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-449","metadata":false},{"id":79419,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-450","catch_line":"Probate of copy of will proved outside the Commonwealth; authenticated copy","url":"\/64.2-450\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-450","metadata":false},{"id":80084,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-451","catch_line":"Appointment of curator; when made; his duties","url":"\/64.2-451\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-451","metadata":false},{"id":78942,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-452","catch_line":"How will may be made self-proved; affidavits of witnesses","url":"\/64.2-452\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-452","metadata":false},{"id":73914,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-453","catch_line":"How will may be made self-proved; acknowledgment of witnesses","url":"\/64.2-453\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-453","metadata":false},{"id":68103,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-454","catch_line":"Appointment of administrator for prosecution of action for personal injury or wrongful death against or on behalf of estate of deceased resident or nonresident","url":"\/64.2-454\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-454","metadata":false},{"id":63901,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-454.1","catch_line":"Will contest; presumption of undue influence","url":"\/64.2-454.1\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-454.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81785,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-448","catch_line":"Complaint to impeach or establish a will; limitation of action; venue","url":"\/64.2-448\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-448","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":79419,"structure_id":13481,"section_number":"64.2-450","catch_line":"Probate of copy of will proved outside the Commonwealth; authenticated copy","url":"\/64.2-450\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-450","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/64.2-449\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 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 1968, chapter 656; in 2012, chapter 614<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 631<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":81785,"section_number":"64.2-448","catch_line":"Complaint to impeach or establish a will; limitation of action; venue","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-448\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":273333,"object_type":"law","relational_id":54444,"identifier":"64.2-449","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-449","url":"\/64.2-449\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/64.2-449\/","token":"64.2\/II\/4\/5\/64.2-449","dublin_core":{"Title":"Procedure in probate proceedings","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 64.2-449","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> In every probate proceeding, the court<\/span> or clerk may require all testamentary papers of the testator be produced and may compel the production of the will<\/span> of a testator that is in the custody<\/span> of any person. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A summons<\/span> may be served by an order<\/span> of publication on any person interested in the probate of the will<\/span> in accordance with § 8.01-316<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The court<\/span> may appoint a guardian ad litem<\/span> for any person interested in the probate of the will<\/span> in accordance with § 8.01-9<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The record of the testimony<\/span> given by witnesses in court<\/span> on the motion<\/span> to admit a will<\/span> to probate and any out of court<\/span> depositions<\/span> of witnesses who cannot be produced at a jury trial<\/span> may be admitted as evidence<\/span> and given such weight as the jury deems proper. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPROCEDURE IN PROBATE PROCEEDINGS (\u00a7 64.2-449)\n\nA. In every probate proceeding, the court or clerk may require all testamentary\npapers of the testator be produced and may compel the production of the will of\na testator that is in the custody of any person.\n\nB. A summons may be served by an order of publication on any person interested\nin the probate of the will in accordance with § 8.01-316.\n\nC. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem for any person interested in the\nprobate of the will in accordance with § 8.01-9.\n\nD. The record of the testimony given by witnesses in court on the motion to\nadmit a will to probate and any out of court depositions of witnesses who cannot\nbe produced at a jury trial may be admitted as evidence and given such weight as\nthe jury deems proper.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 64-77, 64-82, 64-87; 1968, c. 656, \u00a7\u00a7 64.1-81,\n64.1-86, 64.1-91; 2012, c. 614; 2015, c. 631.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}