{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/64.2-731.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/64.2-731.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/64.2-731.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/64.2-731.html"}],"law_id":69697,"edition_id":1,"section_id":69697,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-731","catch_line":"Cy pres","history":"2005, c. 935, \u00a7 55-544.13; 2012, c. 614.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in subsection B, if a particular charitable purpose becomes unlawful, impracticable, impossible to achieve, or wasteful:1\n\nThe trust does not fail, in whole or in part;2\n\nThe trust property does not revert to the settlor or the settlor’s successors in interest; and3\n\nThe court may apply cy pres to modify or terminate the trust by directing that the trust property be applied or distributed, in whole or in part, in a manner consistent with the settlor’s charitable purposes.B\n\nA provision in the terms of a charitable trust that would result in distribution of the trust property to a noncharitable beneficiary prevails over the power of the court under subsection A to apply cy pres to modify or terminate the trust only if, when the provision takes effect:1\n\nThe trust property is to revert to the settlor and the settlor is still living; or2\n\nFewer than 21 years have elapsed since the date of the trust’s creation.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":251952,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in subsection B, if a particular charitable purpose becomes unlawful, impracticable, impossible to achieve, or wasteful:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":251953,"text":"The trust does not fail, in whole or in part;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":251954,"text":"The trust property does not revert to the settlor or the settlor’s successors in interest; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":251955,"text":"The court may apply cy pres to modify or terminate the trust by directing that the trust property be applied or distributed, in whole or in part, in a manner consistent with the settlor’s charitable purposes.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":251956,"text":"A provision in the terms of a charitable trust that would result in distribution of the trust property to a noncharitable beneficiary prevails over the power of the court under subsection A to apply cy pres to modify or terminate the trust only if, when the provision takes effect:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B1"},"5":{"id":251957,"text":"The trust property is to revert to the settlor and the settlor is still living; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"6":{"id":251958,"text":"Fewer than 21 years have elapsed since the date of the trust’s creation.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14034,"edition_id":1,"name":"Creation, Validity, Modification, and Termination of Trust","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12725,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:39","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:39","permalink":{"id":274263,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14034,"identifier":"4","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4","url":"\/64.2\/III\/7\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12725,"edition_id":1,"name":"Uniform Trust Code","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12724,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":274107,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12725,"identifier":"7","token":"64.2\/III\/7","url":"\/64.2\/III\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12724,"edition_id":1,"name":"Trusts","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12723,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":273811,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12724,"identifier":"III","token":"64.2\/III","url":"\/64.2\/III\/","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":79648,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-719","catch_line":"Methods of creating trust","url":"\/64.2-719\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-719","metadata":false},{"id":69632,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-720","catch_line":"Requirements for creation","url":"\/64.2-720\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-720","metadata":false},{"id":83069,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-721","catch_line":"Trusts created in other jurisdictions","url":"\/64.2-721\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-721","metadata":false},{"id":55125,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-722","catch_line":"Trust purposes","url":"\/64.2-722\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-722","metadata":false},{"id":60061,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-723","catch_line":"Charitable purposes; enforcement","url":"\/64.2-723\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-723","metadata":false},{"id":58193,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-724","catch_line":"Creation of trust induced by fraud, duress, or undue influence","url":"\/64.2-724\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-724","metadata":false},{"id":85469,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-725","catch_line":"Evidence of oral trust","url":"\/64.2-725\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-725","metadata":false},{"id":55689,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-726","catch_line":"Trust for care of animal","url":"\/64.2-726\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-726","metadata":false},{"id":81678,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-727","catch_line":"Noncharitable trust without ascertainable beneficiary","url":"\/64.2-727\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-727","metadata":false},{"id":84830,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-728","catch_line":"Modification or termination of trust; proceedings for approval or disapproval","url":"\/64.2-728\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-728","metadata":false},{"id":80099,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-729","catch_line":"Modification or termination of noncharitable irrevocable trust by consent","url":"\/64.2-729\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-729","metadata":false},{"id":66263,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-730","catch_line":"Modification or termination because of unanticipated circumstances or inability to administer trust effectively","url":"\/64.2-730\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-730","metadata":false},{"id":69697,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-731","catch_line":"Cy pres","url":"\/64.2-731\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-731","metadata":false},{"id":66862,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-732","catch_line":"Modification or termination of uneconomic trust","url":"\/64.2-732\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-732","metadata":false},{"id":84040,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-733","catch_line":"Reformation to correct mistakes","url":"\/64.2-733\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-733","metadata":false},{"id":60974,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-734","catch_line":"Modification to achieve settlor's tax objectives","url":"\/64.2-734\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-734","metadata":false},{"id":69919,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-735","catch_line":"Combination and division of trusts","url":"\/64.2-735\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-735","metadata":false},{"id":61715,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-736","catch_line":"Amendment of trust where gift, grant, or will establishes private foundation or constitutes a charitable trust or a split-interest trust","url":"\/64.2-736\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-736","metadata":false},{"id":83369,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-737","catch_line":"Distribution of income of trust that is a private foundation or a charitable trust; prohibitions as to such private foundation","url":"\/64.2-737\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-737","metadata":false},{"id":69457,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-738","catch_line":"Prohibitions as to trust that is deemed a split-interest trust","url":"\/64.2-738\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-738","metadata":false},{"id":79217,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-739","catch_line":"Application of \u00a7\u00a7 64.2-737 and 64.2-738","url":"\/64.2-739\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-739","metadata":false},{"id":78805,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-740","catch_line":"Interpretation of references to Internal Revenue Code in \u00a7\u00a7 64.2-736 through 64.2-739","url":"\/64.2-740\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-740","metadata":false},{"id":73508,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-741","catch_line":"Powers of courts not impaired by \u00a7\u00a7 64.2-736 through 64.2-740","url":"\/64.2-741\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-741","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":66263,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-730","catch_line":"Modification or termination because of unanticipated circumstances or inability to administer trust effectively","url":"\/64.2-730\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-730","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66862,"structure_id":14034,"section_number":"64.2-732","catch_line":"Modification or termination of uneconomic trust","url":"\/64.2-732\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-732","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/64.2-731\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2005. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 935<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2012, chapter 614<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":84830,"section_number":"64.2-728","catch_line":"Modification or termination of trust; proceedings for approval or disapproval","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-728\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":274313,"object_type":"law","relational_id":69697,"identifier":"64.2-731","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-731","url":"\/64.2-731\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/64.2-731\/","token":"64.2\/III\/7\/4\/64.2-731","dublin_core":{"Title":"Cy pres","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 64.2-731","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided in subsection B, if a particular charitable purpose<\/span> becomes unlawful, impracticable, impossible to achieve, or wasteful: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The trust does not fail, in whole or in part; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The trust property<\/span> does not revert to the settlor or the settlor’s successors in interest; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The court<\/span> may apply cy pres to modify or terminate the trust by directing that the trust property<\/span> be applied or distributed, in whole or in part, in a manner consistent with the settlor’s charitable purposes<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A provision in the terms of a charitable trust<\/span> that would result in distribution of the trust property<\/span> to a noncharitable beneficiary<\/span> prevails over the power of the court<\/span> under subsection A to apply cy pres to modify or terminate the trust only if, when the provision takes effect: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The trust property<\/span> is to revert to the settlor and the settlor is still living; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Fewer than 21 years have elapsed since the date of the trust’s creation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCY PRES (\u00a7 64.2-731)\n\nA. Except as otherwise provided in subsection B, if a particular charitable\npurpose becomes unlawful, impracticable, impossible to achieve, or wasteful:\n\n 1. The trust does not fail, in whole or in part;\n\n 2. The trust property does not revert to the settlor or the settlor’s\n successors in interest; and\n\n 3. The court may apply cy pres to modify or terminate the trust by directing\n that the trust property be applied or distributed, in whole or in part, in a\n manner consistent with the settlor’s charitable purposes.\n\nB. A provision in the terms of a charitable trust that would result in\ndistribution of the trust property to a noncharitable beneficiary prevails over\nthe power of the court under subsection A to apply cy pres to modify or\nterminate the trust only if, when the provision takes effect:\n\n 1. The trust property is to revert to the settlor and the settlor is still\n living; or\n\n 2. Fewer than 21 years have elapsed since the date of the trust’s\n creation.\n\nHISTORY: 2005, c. 935, \u00a7 55-544.13; 2012, c. 614.","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}}