Except as otherwise provided in this section, a spouse shall not be responsible for the other spouse's contract or tort liability to a third party, whether such liability arose before or after the marriage. The doctrine of necessaries as it existed at common law shall apply equally to both spouses, except where they are permanently living separate and apart, but shall in no event create any liability between such spouses as to each other. No lien arising out of a judgment under this section shall attach to the judgment debtors' principal residence held by them as tenants by the entirety or that was held by them as tenants by the entirety prior to the death of either spouse where the tenancy terminated as a result of the death of either spouse.
Code 1919, § 5134; 1932, p. 22; Code 1950, § 55-37; 1984, c. 504; 1985, c. 202; 2012, c. 45; 2019, c. 712.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances
Chapter 2 - Property Rights of Married Persons
§ 55.1-200. How married persons may acquire and dispose of property
§ 55.1-201. Contracts of, and actions by and against, married persons
§ 55.1-204. Rights of spouse not affected by other spouse's acts only
§ 55.1-205. Conveyance from married persons; effect on right of either spouse
§ 55.1-206. How infant spouse may release interests in spouse's property
§ 55.1-208. How estate of a married person to pass at death