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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>66614</law_id><section_number>64.2-404.1</section_number><catch_line>Reformation of will to correct mistakes or achieve decedent&amp;#8217;s tax objectives</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="II">Wills and Decedents' Estates</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="4">Wills</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">Requisites and Execution</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">court</span> may reform the terms of a decedent&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">will</span>, or any codicil thereto, even if unambiguous, to conform the terms to the decedent&#x2019;s intention if it is proved by clear and convincing <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> that both the decedent&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">intent</span> and the terms of the <span class="dictionary">will</span> were affected by a mistake of <span class="dictionary">fact</span> or <span class="dictionary">law</span>, whether in expression or inducement. <a id="paragraph-241694" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-404.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> If shown by clear and convincing <span class="dictionary">evidence</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may modify the terms of a decedent&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">will</span> to achieve the decedent&#x2019;s tax objectives in a manner that is not contrary to the decedent&#x2019;s probable intention. <a id="paragraph-241695" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-404.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Notice must be given and a person may represent and bind another person in proceedings under this section to the same extent that a person may represent and bind another person in proceedings brought under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Reformation to correct mistakes" href="/64.2-733/">64.2-733</a> or <a class="law" title="Modification to achieve settlor's tax objectives" href="/64.2-734/">64.2-734</a> relating to trusts. <a id="paragraph-241696" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-404.1/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The remedies granted by this section are available only in proceedings brought in a <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> under the appropriate provisions of this title, filed within one year from the decedent&#x2019;s date of death and in which all interested persons are made parties. <a id="paragraph-241697" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-404.1/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> This section applies to all <span class="dictionary">wills</span> and codicils regardless of the date of their execution and all judicial proceedings regardless of when commenced, except that this section shall not apply to any judicial proceeding commenced before July 1, 2018, if the <span class="dictionary">court</span> finds that its application would substantially interfere with the effective conduct of the judicial proceeding or prejudice the rights of the parties. <a id="paragraph-241698" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-404.1/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2018, c. 44.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
