{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/64.2-556.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/64.2-556.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/64.2-556.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/64.2-556.html"}],"law_id":75441,"edition_id":1,"section_id":75441,"structure_id":14954,"section_number":"64.2-556","catch_line":"Order to creditors to show cause against distribution of estate to legatees or distributees; liability of legatees or distributees to refund","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 64-169; 1966, c. 335; 1968, c. 656, \u00a7 64.1-179; 1980, c. 439; 1982, c. 588; 1989, c. 492; 1991, c. 527; 1996, c. 352; 2005, c. 681; 2012, c. 614; 2016, cc. 187, 269.","full_text":"A\n\nWhen a report of the accounts of any personal representative and of the debts and demands against the decedent’s estate has been filed in the office of a clerk of a court, whether under §§ 64.2-550 and 64.2-551 or in a civil action, the court, after six months from the qualification of the personal representative, may, on motion of the personal representative, or a successor or substitute personal representative, or on motion of a legatee or distributee of the decedent, enter an order for the creditors and all other persons interested in the estate of the decedent to show cause on the day named in the order against the payment and delivery of the estate of the decedent to his legatees or distributees. A copy of the order shall be published once a week for two successive weeks, in one or more newspapers, as the court directs; the costs of such publication shall be paid by the petitioner or applicant. On or after the day named in the order, the court may order the payment and delivery to the legatees or distributees of the whole or a part of the money and other estate not before distributed, with or without a refunding bond, as it prescribes. However, every legatee or distributee to whom any such payment or delivery is made, and his representatives, may, in a suit brought against him within five years after such payment or delivery is made, be adjudged to refund a due proportion of any claims enforceable against the decedent or his estate that have been finally allowed by the commissioner of accounts or the court, or that were not presented to the commissioner of accounts, and the costs of the recovery of such claim. In the event any claim becomes known to the fiduciary after the notice for debts and demands but prior to the entry of an order of distribution, the claimant, if the claim is disputed, shall be given notice in the form provided in § 64.2-550 and the order of distribution shall not be entered until after expiration of 10 days from the giving of such notice. If the claimant, within such 10-day period, indicates his desire to pursue the claim, the commissioner of accounts shall schedule a date for hearing the claim and for reporting thereon if action thereon is contemplated under § 64.2-550.B\n\nAny personal representative who has in good faith complied with the provisions of this section and has, in compliance with or, as subsequently approved by, the order of the court, paid and delivered the money or other estate in his possession to any party that the court has adjudged entitled thereto shall not be liable for any demands of creditors and all other persons.C\n\nAny personal representative who has in good faith complied with the provisions of this section and has, in compliance with, or as subsequently approved by, the order of the court, paid and delivered the money or other estate in his possession to any party that the court has adjudged entitled thereto, even if such distribution shall be prior to the expiration of the period of one year provided in § 64.2-302, Article 1.1 (§ 64.2-308.1 et seq.) of Chapter 3, or § 64.2-313, 64.2-448, or 64.2-457, shall not be liable for any demands of spouses, persons seeking to impeach the will or establish another will, or purchasers of real estate from the personal representative, provided that the personal representative has contacted any surviving spouse known to it having rights of renunciation and ascertained that the surviving spouse had no plan to renounce the will, such intent to be stated in writing in the case of renunciation under § 64.2-302 or Article 1.1 (§ 64.2-308.1 et seq.) of Chapter 3, as applicable, and that the personal representative has not been notified in writing of any person’s intent to impeach the will or establish a later will in the case of persons claiming under § 64.2-448 or 64.2-457 or under a later will.D\n\nIn the case of such distribution prior to the expiration of such one-year period, the personal representative shall take refunding bonds, without surety, to the next of kin or legatees to whom distribution is made, to protect against the contingencies specified in this section.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":270787,"text":"When a report of the accounts of any personal representative and of the debts and demands against the decedent’s estate has been filed in the office of a clerk of a court, whether under §§ 64.2-550 and 64.2-551 or in a civil action, the court, after six months from the qualification of the personal representative, may, on motion of the personal representative, or a successor or substitute personal representative, or on motion of a legatee or distributee of the decedent, enter an order for the creditors and all other persons interested in the estate of the decedent to show cause on the day named in the order against the payment and delivery of the estate of the decedent to his legatees or distributees. A copy of the order shall be published once a week for two successive weeks, in one or more newspapers, as the court directs; the costs of such publication shall be paid by the petitioner or applicant. On or after the day named in the order, the court may order the payment and delivery to the legatees or distributees of the whole or a part of the money and other estate not before distributed, with or without a refunding bond, as it prescribes. However, every legatee or distributee to whom any such payment or delivery is made, and his representatives, may, in a suit brought against him within five years after such payment or delivery is made, be adjudged to refund a due proportion of any claims enforceable against the decedent or his estate that have been finally allowed by the commissioner of accounts or the court, or that were not presented to the commissioner of accounts, and the costs of the recovery of such claim. In the event any claim becomes known to the fiduciary after the notice for debts and demands but prior to the entry of an order of distribution, the claimant, if the claim is disputed, shall be given notice in the form provided in § 64.2-550 and the order of distribution shall not be entered until after expiration of 10 days from the giving of such notice. If the claimant, within such 10-day period, indicates his desire to pursue the claim, the commissioner of accounts shall schedule a date for hearing the claim and for reporting thereon if action thereon is contemplated under § 64.2-550.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":270788,"text":"Any personal representative who has in good faith complied with the provisions of this section and has, in compliance with or, as subsequently approved by, the order of the court, paid and delivered the money or other estate in his possession to any party that the court has adjudged entitled thereto shall not be liable for any demands of creditors and all other persons.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":270789,"text":"Any personal representative who has in good faith complied with the provisions of this section and has, in compliance with, or as subsequently approved by, the order of the court, paid and delivered the money or other estate in his possession to any party that the court has adjudged entitled thereto, even if such distribution shall be prior to the expiration of the period of one year provided in § 64.2-302, Article 1.1 (§ 64.2-308.1 et seq.) of Chapter 3, or § 64.2-313, 64.2-448, or 64.2-457, shall not be liable for any demands of spouses, persons seeking to impeach the will or establish another will, or purchasers of real estate from the personal representative, provided that the personal representative has contacted any surviving spouse known to it having rights of renunciation and ascertained that the surviving spouse had no plan to renounce the will, such intent to be stated in writing in the case of renunciation under § 64.2-302 or Article 1.1 (§ 64.2-308.1 et seq.) of Chapter 3, as applicable, and that the personal representative has not been notified in writing of any person’s intent to impeach the will or establish a later will in the case of persons claiming under § 64.2-448 or 64.2-457 or under a later will.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":270790,"text":"In the case of such distribution prior to the expiration of such one-year period, the personal representative shall take refunding bonds, without surety, to the next of kin or legatees to whom distribution is made, to protect against the contingencies specified in this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14954,"edition_id":1,"name":"Settlement of Accounts and Distribution","identifier":"9","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13926,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:03","permalink":{"id":273605,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14954,"identifier":"9","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9","url":"\/64.2\/II\/5\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13926,"edition_id":1,"name":"Personal Representatives and Administration of Estates","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12863,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:19","permalink":{"id":273379,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13926,"identifier":"5","token":"64.2\/II\/5","url":"\/64.2\/II\/5\/","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":57055,"structure_id":14954,"section_number":"64.2-550","catch_line":"Proceedings for receiving proof of debts by commissioners of accounts","url":"\/64.2-550\/","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-550","metadata":false},{"id":81596,"structure_id":14954,"section_number":"64.2-551","catch_line":"Account of debts by commissioners of accounts","url":"\/64.2-551\/","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-551","metadata":false},{"id":70414,"structure_id":14954,"section_number":"64.2-552","catch_line":"How claims filed before commissioners of accounts; tolling of limitations period","url":"\/64.2-552\/","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-552","metadata":false},{"id":69173,"structure_id":14954,"section_number":"64.2-553","catch_line":"When court to order payment of debts","url":"\/64.2-553\/","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-553","metadata":false},{"id":60155,"structure_id":14954,"section_number":"64.2-554","catch_line":"When distribution may be required; refunding bond","url":"\/64.2-554\/","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-554","metadata":false},{"id":63804,"structure_id":14954,"section_number":"64.2-555","catch_line":"When fiduciaries are protected by refunding bonds","url":"\/64.2-555\/","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-555","metadata":false},{"id":75441,"structure_id":14954,"section_number":"64.2-556","catch_line":"Order to creditors to show cause against distribution of estate to legatees or distributees; liability of legatees or distributees to refund","url":"\/64.2-556\/","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-556","metadata":false},{"id":58575,"structure_id":14954,"section_number":"64.2-557","catch_line":"Form for notice to show cause under \u00a7 64.2-556","url":"\/64.2-557\/","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-557","metadata":false},{"id":62484,"structure_id":14954,"section_number":"64.2-558","catch_line":"Distribution to persons standing in loco parentis to certain beneficiaries","url":"\/64.2-558\/","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-558","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":63804,"structure_id":14954,"section_number":"64.2-555","catch_line":"When fiduciaries are protected by refunding bonds","url":"\/64.2-555\/","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-555","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":58575,"structure_id":14954,"section_number":"64.2-557","catch_line":"Form for notice to show cause under \u00a7 64.2-556","url":"\/64.2-557\/","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-557","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/64.2-556\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 10 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 1966, chapter 335; in 1968, chapter 656; in 1980, chapter 439; in 1982, chapter 588; in 1989, chapter 492; in 1991, chapter 527; in 1996, chapter 352<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 681<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 614<\/a>; in 2016, chapters 187<\/a> and 269<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":58575,"section_number":"64.2-557","catch_line":"Form for notice to show cause under \u00a7 64.2-556","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-557\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":75301,"section_number":"64.2-302","catch_line":"When and how elective share may be claimed by surviving spouse","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-302\/"},{"id":86374,"section_number":"64.2-308.1","catch_line":"Applicability; definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-308.1\/"},{"id":62592,"section_number":"64.2-313","catch_line":"When and how exempt property and allowances may be claimed","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-313\/"},{"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\/"},{"id":56406,"section_number":"64.2-457","catch_line":"Bona fide purchaser of real estate without notice of devise protected; later will","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-457\/"},{"id":57055,"section_number":"64.2-550","catch_line":"Proceedings for receiving proof of debts by commissioners of accounts","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-550\/"},{"id":81596,"section_number":"64.2-551","catch_line":"Account of debts by commissioners of accounts","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-551\/"}],"permalink":{"id":273631,"object_type":"law","relational_id":75441,"identifier":"64.2-556","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-556","url":"\/64.2-556\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/64.2-556\/","token":"64.2\/II\/5\/9\/64.2-556","dublin_core":{"Title":"Order to creditors to show cause against distribution of estate to legatees or distributees; liability of legatees or distributees to refund","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 64.2-556","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> When a report of the accounts of any personal representative<\/span> and of the debts and demands against the decedent’s estate has been filed in the office of a clerk of a court<\/span>, whether under §§ 64.2-550<\/a> and 64.2-551<\/a> or in a civil action<\/span>, the court<\/span>, after six months from the qualification of the personal representative<\/span>, may, on motion<\/span> of the personal representative<\/span>, or a successor or substitute personal representative<\/span>, or on motion<\/span> of a legatee or distributee of the decedent, enter an order<\/span> for the creditors<\/span> and all other persons interested in the estate of the decedent to show cause on the day named in the order<\/span> against the payment and delivery of the estate of the decedent to his legatees or distributees. A copy of the order<\/span> shall be published once a week for two successive weeks, in one or more newspapers, as the court<\/span> directs; the costs of such publication shall be paid by the petitioner or applicant. On or after the day named in the order<\/span>, the court<\/span> may order<\/span> the payment and delivery to the legatees or distributees of the whole or a part of the money and other estate not before distributed, with or without a refunding bond<\/span>, as it prescribes. However, every legatee or distributee to whom any such payment or delivery is made, and his representatives, may, in a suit brought against him within five years after such payment or delivery is made, be adjudged to refund a due proportion of any claims enforceable against the decedent or his estate that have been finally allowed by the commissioner of accounts or the court<\/span>, or that were not presented to the commissioner of accounts, and the costs of the recovery of such claim. In the event any claim becomes known to the fiduciary<\/span> after the notice for debts and demands but prior to the entry of an order<\/span> of distribution, the claimant, if the claim is disputed, shall be given notice in the form provided in § 64.2-550<\/a> and the order<\/span> of distribution shall not be entered until after expiration of 10 days from the giving of such notice. If the claimant, within such 10-day period, indicates his desire to pursue the claim, the commissioner of accounts shall schedule a date for hearing<\/span> the claim and for reporting thereon if action thereon is contemplated under § 64.2-550<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any personal representative<\/span> who has in good faith complied with the provisions of this section and has, in compliance with or, as subsequently approved by, the order<\/span> of the court<\/span>, paid and delivered the money or other estate in his possession<\/span> to any party<\/span> that the court<\/span> has adjudged entitled thereto shall not be liable for any demands of creditors<\/span> and all other persons. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any personal representative<\/span> who has in good faith complied with the provisions of this section and has, in compliance with, or as subsequently approved by, the order<\/span> of the court<\/span>, paid and delivered the money or other estate in his possession<\/span> to any party<\/span> that the court<\/span> has adjudged entitled thereto, even if such distribution shall be prior to the expiration of the period of one year provided in § 64.2-302<\/a>, Article 1.1 (§ 64.2-308.1<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 3, or § 64.2-313<\/a>, 64.2-448<\/a>, or 64.2-457<\/a>, shall not be liable for any demands of spouses, persons seeking to impeach the will<\/span> or establish another will<\/span>, or purchasers<\/span> of real estate from the personal representative<\/span>, provided that the personal representative<\/span> has contacted any surviving spouse known to it having rights of renunciation and ascertained that the surviving spouse had no plan to renounce the will<\/span>, such intent<\/span> to be stated in writing in the case of renunciation under § 64.2-302<\/a> or Article 1.1 (§ 64.2-308.1<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 3, as applicable, and that the personal representative<\/span> has not been notified in writing of any person’s intent<\/span> to impeach the will<\/span> or establish a later will<\/span> in the case of persons claiming under § 64.2-448<\/a> or 64.2-457<\/a> or under a later will<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> In the case of such distribution prior to the expiration of such one-year period, the personal representative<\/span> shall take refunding bonds<\/span>, without surety<\/span>, to the next of kin or legatees to whom distribution is made, to protect against the contingencies specified in this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nORDER TO CREDITORS TO SHOW CAUSE AGAINST DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATE TO LEGATEES OR\nDISTRIBUTEES; LIABILITY OF LEGATEES OR DISTRIBUTEES TO REFUND (\u00a7 64.2-556)\n\nA. When a report of the accounts of any personal representative and of the debts\nand demands against the decedent’s estate has been filed in the office of\na clerk of a court, whether under §§ 64.2-550 and 64.2-551 or in a\ncivil action, the court, after six months from the qualification of the personal\nrepresentative, may, on motion of the personal representative, or a successor or\nsubstitute personal representative, or on motion of a legatee or distributee of\nthe decedent, enter an order for the creditors and all other persons interested\nin the estate of the decedent to show cause on the day named in the order\nagainst the payment and delivery of the estate of the decedent to his legatees\nor distributees. A copy of the order shall be published once a week for two\nsuccessive weeks, in one or more newspapers, as the court directs; the costs of\nsuch publication shall be paid by the petitioner or applicant. On or after the\nday named in the order, the court may order the payment and delivery to the\nlegatees or distributees of the whole or a part of the money and other estate\nnot before distributed, with or without a refunding bond, as it prescribes.\nHowever, every legatee or distributee to whom any such payment or delivery is\nmade, and his representatives, may, in a suit brought against him within five\nyears after such payment or delivery is made, be adjudged to refund a due\nproportion of any claims enforceable against the decedent or his estate that\nhave been finally allowed by the commissioner of accounts or the court, or that\nwere not presented to the commissioner of accounts, and the costs of the\nrecovery of such claim. In the event any claim becomes known to the fiduciary\nafter the notice for debts and demands but prior to the entry of an order of\ndistribution, the claimant, if the claim is disputed, shall be given notice in\nthe form provided in § 64.2-550 and the order of distribution shall not be\nentered until after expiration of 10 days from the giving of such notice. If the\nclaimant, within such 10-day period, indicates his desire to pursue the claim,\nthe commissioner of accounts shall schedule a date for hearing the claim and for\nreporting thereon if action thereon is contemplated under § 64.2-550.\n\nB. Any personal representative who has in good faith complied with the\nprovisions of this section and has, in compliance with or, as subsequently\napproved by, the order of the court, paid and delivered the money or other\nestate in his possession to any party that the court has adjudged entitled\nthereto shall not be liable for any demands of creditors and all other persons.\n\nC. Any personal representative who has in good faith complied with the\nprovisions of this section and has, in compliance with, or as subsequently\napproved by, the order of the court, paid and delivered the money or other\nestate in his possession to any party that the court has adjudged entitled\nthereto, even if such distribution shall be prior to the expiration of the\nperiod of one year provided in § 64.2-302, Article 1.1 (§ 64.2-308.1\net seq.) of Chapter 3, or § 64.2-313, 64.2-448, or 64.2-457, shall not be\nliable for any demands of spouses, persons seeking to impeach the will or\nestablish another will, or purchasers of real estate from the personal\nrepresentative, provided that the personal representative has contacted any\nsurviving spouse known to it having rights of renunciation and ascertained that\nthe surviving spouse had no plan to renounce the will, such intent to be stated\nin writing in the case of renunciation under § 64.2-302 or Article 1.1\n(§ 64.2-308.1 et seq.) of Chapter 3, as applicable, and that the personal\nrepresentative has not been notified in writing of any person’s intent to\nimpeach the will or establish a later will in the case of persons claiming under\n§ 64.2-448 or 64.2-457 or under a later will.\n\nD. In the case of such distribution prior to the expiration of such one-year\nperiod, the personal representative shall take refunding bonds, without surety,\nto the next of kin or legatees to whom distribution is made, to protect against\nthe contingencies specified in this section.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 64-169; 1966, c. 335; 1968, c. 656, \u00a7 64.1-179; 1980, c.\n439; 1982, c. 588; 1989, c. 492; 1991, c. 527; 1996, c. 352; 2005, c. 681; 2012,\nc. 614; 2016, cc. 187, 269.","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}}