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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>60761</law_id><section_number>64.2-104</section_number><catch_line>Incorporation by reference into a will, power of attorney, or trust instrument</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="64.2">Wills, Trusts, and Fiduciaries</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">General Provisions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">Definitions and General Provisions</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The following original documents may be incorporated by reference into a <span class="dictionary">will</span>, <span class="dictionary">power of attorney</span>, or trust instrument: <a id="paragraph-222134" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-104/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> A letter or <span class="dictionary">memorandum</span> to the <span class="dictionary">fiduciary</span> or agent as to the interpretation of discretionary powers of distribution where the <span class="dictionary">will</span>, <span class="dictionary">power of attorney</span>, or trust instrument grants the <span class="dictionary">fiduciary</span> or agent the power to make distributions to beneficiaries in the discretion of the <span class="dictionary">fiduciary</span> or agent; and <a id="paragraph-222135" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-104/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> A letter or <span class="dictionary">memorandum</span> stating the views or directions of the maker of the <span class="dictionary">will</span>, <span class="dictionary">power of attorney</span>, or trust instrument as to the exercise of discretion by the <span class="dictionary">fiduciary</span> or agent in making health care decisions for the maker. <a id="paragraph-222136" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-104/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> No provision in the original document sought to be incorporated by reference under this section is enforceable if it contradicts or is inconsistent with a provision of the incorporating <span class="dictionary">will</span>, <span class="dictionary">power of attorney</span>, or trust instrument, including if it alters the <span class="dictionary">possession</span> or enjoyment of trust property or the income therefrom as directed in the trust instrument. <a id="paragraph-222137" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-104/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> This section shall not prevent the incorporation by reference of any writing into any other writing that would otherwise be effective under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Separate writing identifying recipients of tangible personal property; liability for distribution; action to recover property" href="/64.2-400/">64.2-400</a> or under any other <span class="dictionary">law</span> of incorporation by reference. <a id="paragraph-222138" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-104/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The maker shall sign and have notarized the documents referenced in subsection A and may prepare the documents before or after the execution of the <span class="dictionary">will</span>, <span class="dictionary">power of attorney</span>, or trust instrument. <a id="paragraph-222139" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-104/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2001, c. 369, &#xA7; 64.1-45.2; 2002, c. 119; 2012, c. 614.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
