{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-534.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-534.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-534.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-534.html"}],"law_id":76538,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76538,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-534","catch_line":"Grounds of action for pretrial levy or seizure of attachment","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 8-520; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617; 1993, c. 841; 2022, c. 553.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be sufficient ground for an action for pretrial levy or seizure or an attachment that the principal defendant or one of the principal defendants:1\n\nIs a foreign corporation, or is not a resident of this Commonwealth, and has estate or has debts owing to such defendant within the county or city in which the attachment is, or that such defendant being a nonresident of this Commonwealth, is entitled to the benefit of any lien, legal or equitable, on property, real or personal, within the county or city in which the attachment is. The word “estate,” as herein used, includes all rights or interests of a pecuniary nature which can be protected, enforced, or proceeded against in courts of law or equity;2\n\nIs removing or is about to remove himself out of this Commonwealth with intent to change his domicile;3\n\nIntends to remove, or is removing, or has removed the specific property sued for, or his own estate, or the proceeds of the sale of his property, or a material part of such estate or proceeds, out of this Commonwealth so that there will probably not be therein effects of such debtor sufficient to satisfy the claim when judgment is obtained therefor should only the ordinary process of law be used to obtain the judgment;4\n\nIs converting, is about to convert or has converted his property of whatever kind, or some part thereof, into money, securities or evidences of debt with intent to hinder, delay, or defraud his creditors;5\n\nHas assigned or disposed of or is about to assign or dispose of his estate, or some part thereof, with intent to hinder, delay or defraud his creditors;6\n\nHas absconded or is about to abscond or has concealed or is about to conceal himself or his property to the injury of his creditors, or is a fugitive from justice;7\n\nHas conducted, financed, managed, supervised, directed, sold, or owned a gambling device that is located in an unregulated location pursuant to § 18.2-331.1;8\n\nHas violated any provision of law related to charitable gaming pursuant to Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2.\n\t\t\t\tThe intent mentioned in subdivisions 4 and 5 may be stated either in the alternative or conjunctive.B\n\nIt shall be sufficient ground for an action for pretrial levy or seizure or an attachment if the specific personal property sought to be levied or seized:1\n\nWill be sold, removed, secreted or otherwise disposed of by the defendant, in violation of an obligation to the plaintiff, so as not to be forthcoming to answer the final judgment of the court respecting the same; or2\n\nWill be destroyed, or materially damaged or injured if permitted to remain in the possession of the principal defendant or one of the principal defendants or other person or persons claiming under them.C\n\nIn an action for rent, it also shall be a sufficient ground if there is an immediate danger that the property subject to the landlord’s lien for rent will be destroyed or concealed.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":274767,"text":"It shall be sufficient ground for an action for pretrial levy or seizure or an attachment that the principal defendant or one of the principal defendants:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":274768,"text":"Is a foreign corporation, or is not a resident of this Commonwealth, and has estate or has debts owing to such defendant within the county or city in which the attachment is, or that such defendant being a nonresident of this Commonwealth, is entitled to the benefit of any lien, legal or equitable, on property, real or personal, within the county or city in which the attachment is. The word “estate,” as herein used, includes all rights or interests of a pecuniary nature which can be protected, enforced, or proceeded against in courts of law or equity;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":274769,"text":"Is removing or is about to remove himself out of this Commonwealth with intent to change his domicile;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":274770,"text":"Intends to remove, or is removing, or has removed the specific property sued for, or his own estate, or the proceeds of the sale of his property, or a material part of such estate or proceeds, out of this Commonwealth so that there will probably not be therein effects of such debtor sufficient to satisfy the claim when judgment is obtained therefor should only the ordinary process of law be used to obtain the judgment;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":274771,"text":"Is converting, is about to convert or has converted his property of whatever kind, or some part thereof, into money, securities or evidences of debt with intent to hinder, delay, or defraud his creditors;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":274772,"text":"Has assigned or disposed of or is about to assign or dispose of his estate, or some part thereof, with intent to hinder, delay or defraud his creditors;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":274773,"text":"Has absconded or is about to abscond or has concealed or is about to conceal himself or his property to the injury of his creditors, or is a fugitive from justice;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":274774,"text":"Has conducted, financed, managed, supervised, directed, sold, or owned a gambling device that is located in an unregulated location pursuant to § 18.2-331.1;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"A8"},"8":{"id":274775,"text":"Has violated any provision of law related to charitable gaming pursuant to Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2.\n\t\t\t\tThe intent mentioned in subdivisions 4 and 5 may be stated either in the alternative or conjunctive.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"A8","prefix_anchor":"A8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"B"},"9":{"id":274776,"text":"It shall be sufficient ground for an action for pretrial levy or seizure or an attachment if the specific personal property sought to be levied or seized:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A8","next_prefix":"B1"},"10":{"id":274777,"text":"Will be sold, removed, secreted or otherwise disposed of by the defendant, in violation of an obligation to the plaintiff, so as not to be forthcoming to answer the final judgment of the court respecting the same; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"11":{"id":274778,"text":"Will be destroyed, or materially damaged or injured if permitted to remain in the possession of the principal defendant or one of the principal defendants or other person or persons claiming under them.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"12":{"id":274779,"text":"In an action for rent, it also shall be a sufficient ground if there is an immediate danger that the property subject to the landlord’s lien for rent will be destroyed or concealed.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14790,"edition_id":1,"name":"Attachments Generally","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12873,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:54","permalink":{"id":278567,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14790,"identifier":"1","token":"8.01\/20\/1","url":"\/8.01\/20\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12873,"edition_id":1,"name":"Attachments and Bail in Civil Cases","identifier":"20","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12747,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":278565,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12873,"identifier":"20","token":"8.01\/20","url":"\/8.01\/20\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12747,"edition_id":1,"name":"Civil Remedies and Procedure","identifier":"8.01","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":277029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12747,"identifier":"8.01","token":"8.01","url":"\/8.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":84946,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-533","catch_line":"Who may sue out attachment","url":"\/8.01-533\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-533","metadata":false},{"id":76538,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-534","catch_line":"Grounds of action for pretrial levy or seizure of attachment","url":"\/8.01-534\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-534","metadata":false},{"id":61296,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-535","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of attachments; trial or hearing of issues","url":"\/8.01-535\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-535","metadata":false},{"id":86249,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-536","catch_line":"Pleadings in attachment","url":"\/8.01-536\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-536","metadata":false},{"id":77594,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-537","catch_line":"Petition for attachment; costs, fees and taxes","url":"\/8.01-537\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-537","metadata":false},{"id":57245,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-537.1","catch_line":"Plaintiff to file bond","url":"\/8.01-537.1\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-537.1","metadata":false},{"id":87187,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-538","catch_line":"Attachment of ships, boats and other vessels of more than twenty tons","url":"\/8.01-538\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-538","metadata":false},{"id":77506,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-539","catch_line":"Who made defendants","url":"\/8.01-539\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-539","metadata":false},{"id":56751,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-540","catch_line":"Issuance of attachment; against what attachment to issue","url":"\/8.01-540\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-540","metadata":false},{"id":62291,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-541","catch_line":"To whom attachments directed; when and where returned","url":"\/8.01-541\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-541","metadata":false},{"id":56579,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-542","catch_line":"Issue and execution of attachment on any day","url":"\/8.01-542\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-542","metadata":false},{"id":84996,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-543","catch_line":"Issue of other attachments on original petition","url":"\/8.01-543\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-543","metadata":false},{"id":74420,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-544","catch_line":"When attachment not served other attachments may issue; order of publication","url":"\/8.01-544\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-544","metadata":false},{"id":66495,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-545","catch_line":"Amendments; formal defects","url":"\/8.01-545\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-545","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":84946,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-533","catch_line":"Who may sue out attachment","url":"\/8.01-533\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-533","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":61296,"structure_id":14790,"section_number":"8.01-535","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of attachments; trial or hearing of issues","url":"\/8.01-535\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-535","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-534\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 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 1954, chapter 333; in 1977, chapter 617; in 1993, chapter 841; in 2022, chapter 553<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":79590,"section_number":"18.2-340.20","catch_line":"Denial, suspension, or revocation of permit; hearings and appeals","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-340.20\/"},{"id":76199,"section_number":"8.01-114","catch_line":"When property to be taken by officer; summary of evidence, affidavits and report to be filed","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-114\/"},{"id":77279,"section_number":"8.01-119","catch_line":"Hearing to review issuance of order or process under \u00a7 8.01-114 or to consider request for such order or process","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-119\/"},{"id":73716,"section_number":"8.01-130.4","catch_line":"When and by whom distress made","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-130.4\/"},{"id":84946,"section_number":"8.01-533","catch_line":"Who may sue out attachment","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-533\/"},{"id":77594,"section_number":"8.01-537","catch_line":"Petition for attachment; costs, fees and taxes","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-537\/"},{"id":56751,"section_number":"8.01-540","catch_line":"Issuance of attachment; against what attachment to issue","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-540\/"},{"id":84996,"section_number":"8.01-543","catch_line":"Issue of other attachments on original petition","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-543\/"},{"id":80146,"section_number":"8.01-567","catch_line":"What defense may be made to attachments","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-567\/"},{"id":60732,"section_number":"8.01-568","catch_line":"Quashing attachment or rendering judgment for defendant","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-568\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":76128,"section_number":"18.2-331.1","catch_line":"Operation of gambling devices at unregulated locations; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-331.1\/"},{"id":84355,"section_number":"18.2-340.15","catch_line":"State control of charitable gaming","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-340.15\/"}],"permalink":{"id":278573,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76538,"identifier":"8.01-534","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-534","url":"\/8.01-534\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-534\/","token":"8.01\/20\/1\/8.01-534","dublin_core":{"Title":"Grounds of action for pretrial levy or seizure of attachment","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-534","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It shall be sufficient ground for an action<\/span> for pretrial levy<\/span> or seizure or an attachment<\/span> that the principal defendant<\/span> or one of the principal defendants<\/span>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Is a foreign corporation, or is not a resident of this Commonwealth, and has estate or has debts owing to such defendant<\/span> within the county or city in which the attachment<\/span> is, or that such defendant<\/span> being a nonresident of this Commonwealth, is entitled to the benefit of any lien<\/span>, legal or equitable<\/span>, on property, real or personal, within the county or city in which the attachment<\/span> is. The word “estate,” as herein used, includes all rights or interests of a pecuniary nature which can be protected, enforced, or proceeded against in courts<\/span> of law<\/span> or equity<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Is removing or is about to remove himself out of this Commonwealth with intent<\/span> to change his domicile; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Intends to remove, or is removing, or has removed the specific property sued for, or his own estate, or the proceeds of the sale of his property, or a material<\/span> part of such estate or proceeds, out of this Commonwealth so that there will probably not be therein effects of such debtor sufficient to satisfy the claim when judgment<\/span> is obtained therefor should only the ordinary process of law<\/span> be used to obtain the judgment<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Is converting, is about to convert or has converted his property of whatever kind, or some part thereof, into money, securities or evidences<\/span> of debt with intent<\/span> to hinder, delay, or defraud his creditors<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Has assigned or disposed of or is about to assign or dispose of his estate, or some part thereof, with intent<\/span> to hinder, delay or defraud his creditors<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Has absconded or is about to abscond<\/span> or has concealed or is about to conceal himself or his property to the injury of his creditors<\/span>, or is a fugitive from justice; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Has conducted, financed, managed, supervised, directed, sold, or owned a gambling device that is located in an unregulated location pursuant to § 18.2-331.1<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Has violated any provision of law<\/span> related to charitable gaming pursuant to Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2.\n\t\t\t\tThe intent<\/span> mentioned in subdivisions 4 and 5 may be stated either in the alternative or conjunctive. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> It shall be sufficient ground for an action<\/span> for pretrial levy<\/span> or seizure or an attachment<\/span> if the specific personal property sought to be levied or seized: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Will be sold, removed, secreted or otherwise disposed of by the defendant<\/span>, in violation of an obligation to the plaintiff<\/span>, so as not to be forthcoming to answer the final judgment<\/span> of the court<\/span> respecting the same; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Will be destroyed, or materially damaged or injured if permitted to remain in the possession<\/span> of the principal defendant<\/span> or one of the principal defendants<\/span> or other person<\/span> or persons<\/span> claiming under them. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In an action<\/span> for rent, it also shall be a sufficient ground if there is an immediate danger that the property subject to the landlord’s lien<\/span> for rent will be destroyed or concealed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nGROUNDS OF ACTION FOR PRETRIAL LEVY OR SEIZURE OF ATTACHMENT (\u00a7 8.01-534)\n\nA. It shall be sufficient ground for an action for pretrial levy or seizure or\nan attachment that the principal defendant or one of the principal defendants:\n\n 1. Is a foreign corporation, or is not a resident of this Commonwealth, and\n has estate or has debts owing to such defendant within the county or city in\n which the attachment is, or that such defendant being a nonresident of this\n Commonwealth, is entitled to the benefit of any lien, legal or equitable, on\n property, real or personal, within the county or city in which the attachment\n is. The word “estate,” as herein used, includes all rights or\n interests of a pecuniary nature which can be protected, enforced, or proceeded\n against in courts of law or equity;\n\n 2. Is removing or is about to remove himself out of this Commonwealth with\n intent to change his domicile;\n\n 3. Intends to remove, or is removing, or has removed the specific property\n sued for, or his own estate, or the proceeds of the sale of his property, or a\n material part of such estate or proceeds, out of this Commonwealth so that\n there will probably not be therein effects of such debtor sufficient to\n satisfy the claim when judgment is obtained therefor should only the ordinary\n process of law be used to obtain the judgment;\n\n 4. Is converting, is about to convert or has converted his property of\n whatever kind, or some part thereof, into money, securities or evidences of\n debt with intent to hinder, delay, or defraud his creditors;\n\n 5. Has assigned or disposed of or is about to assign or dispose of his estate,\n or some part thereof, with intent to hinder, delay or defraud his creditors;\n\n 6. Has absconded or is about to abscond or has concealed or is about to\n conceal himself or his property to the injury of his creditors, or is a\n fugitive from justice;\n\n 7. Has conducted, financed, managed, supervised, directed, sold, or owned a\n gambling device that is located in an unregulated location pursuant to §\n 18.2-331.1;\n\n 8. Has violated any provision of law related to charitable gaming pursuant to\n Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2.\n \t\t\t\tThe intent mentioned in subdivisions 4 and 5 may be stated either in the\n alternative or conjunctive.\n\nB. It shall be sufficient ground for an action for pretrial levy or seizure or\nan attachment if the specific personal property sought to be levied or seized:\n\n 1. Will be sold, removed, secreted or otherwise disposed of by the defendant,\n in violation of an obligation to the plaintiff, so as not to be forthcoming to\n answer the final judgment of the court respecting the same; or\n\n 2. Will be destroyed, or materially damaged or injured if permitted to remain\n in the possession of the principal defendant or one of the principal\n defendants or other person or persons claiming under them.\n\nC. In an action for rent, it also shall be a sufficient ground if there is an\nimmediate danger that the property subject to the landlord’s lien for rent\nwill be destroyed or concealed.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 8-520; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617; 1993, c. 841; 2022, c.\n553.","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}}