                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

PLEADINGS; PARTIES; ORDERS; NOTICE (§ 64.2-713)

A. In judicial proceedings involving trusts governed under this chapter,
including proceedings to modify or terminate a trust:

   1. Interests to be affected by the proceeding shall be described in pleadings
   that give reasonable information to owners by name or class, by reference to
   the instrument creating the interests, or in any other appropriate manner.

   2. Orders shall bind persons as follows:
   				a. An order binding the sole holder or all co-holders of a power of
   revocation or a presently exercisable general power of appointment, including
   one in the form of a power of amendment, binds other persons to the extent
   their interests as objects, takers in default or otherwise are subject to such
   power.
   				b. To the extent there is no conflict of interest between or among them:

      1. An order binding a conservator or a guardian of an estate binds the
      person whose estate he controls;

      2. An order binding a guardian of the person binds the ward if no
      conservator or guardian of his estate has been appointed;

      3. An order binding a trustee binds beneficiaries of the trust in
      proceedings to probate a will establishing or adding to a trust, to review
      the acts or accounts of a prior fiduciary, and in proceedings involving
      creditors or other third parties;

      4. An order binding a personal representative binds persons interested in
      the undistributed assets of a decedent&#8217;s estate in actions or
      proceedings by or against the estate; and

      5. An order binding a sole holder or all co-holders of a general
      testamentary power of appointment binds other persons to the extent their
      interests as objects, takers in default, or otherwise are subject to the
      power.
      					c. Unless otherwise represented, a minor, an incapacitated, unborn, or
      unascertained person is bound by an order if his interest is adequately
      represented by another party having a substantially identical interest in
      the proceedings.

   3. Notice shall be given:
   				a. Pursuant to Chapter 8 (&#xA7; 8.01-285 et seq.) of Title 8.01 and the
   Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia: (i) to every interested party or to a
   person who can bind an interested party pursuant to subdivision 2 a or 2 b;
   and (ii) if the proceeding seeks the modification or termination of a
   charitable trust or the sale of any of its real estate, to the public at large
   by order of publication published once a week for three consecutive weeks
   prior to any hearing or trial in a paper of general circulation in the county
   or city (a) of the trust&#8217;s principal place of administration and (b)
   where any affected real estate of the trust is located. This notice provision
   does not change the common law rule that members of the public at large are
   not entitled to be parties to such judicial proceedings or to have any right
   to appear therein. The purpose of the notice, which shall be stated therein,
   is solely to make the public aware of the nature of such proceedings, the
   remedy being sought therein, and the opportunity to share their views in
   regard thereto with the Attorney General. The court shall not conduct any
   hearing or trial until it has made a finding that the required notice to the
   public has been given as specified herein.
   				b. To unborn or unascertained persons who are not represented pursuant to
   subdivision 2 a or 2 b by giving notice to all known persons whose interests
   in the proceeding are substantially identical to those of the unborn or
   unascertained persons.

   4. Persons under a disability, or unborn or incapacitated persons may be
   represented during the course of a judicial proceeding as follows:
   				a. At any point in a judicial proceeding, a court may appoint a guardian
   ad litem to represent the interest of a minor, an incapacitated, unborn or
   unascertained person, or a person whose identity or address is unknown, if the
   court determines that representation of the interest otherwise would be
   inadequate. The guardian ad litem may be appointed to represent several
   persons or interests to the extent there is no conflict of interest among
   those persons or interests. The reasons for appointing a guardian ad litem
   shall be stated in the record of the proceedings.
   				b. A minor or other person under a disability may be represented by an
   attorney-at-law duly licensed to practice in the Commonwealth who has entered
   of record an appearance on his behalf to the extent permitted by &#xA7;
   8.01-9.

B. The provisions of this section shall apply notwithstanding the Rules of
Supreme Court of Virginia or any applicable provisions in Title 8.01.

HISTORY: 2005, c. 935, § 55-542.06; 2007, c. 752; 2012, c. 614.