On receiving a list compiled pursuant to § 55.1-2404, or upon information from any person, in writing and under oath, that any of the conditions described in § 55.1-2404 exists, the escheator shall proceed to hold his inquest to determine whether any land identified has escheated to the Commonwealth. He shall (i) post notice of the time of taking such inquest at the front door of the courthouse for 30 days prior to the inquest and (ii) advertise once in a newspaper of general circulation within the county or city at least seven but not more than 30 days prior to the inquest. Notice shall also be mailed to the last owner of record, if any, as it appears in the tax records of the local treasurer. The escheator shall send a copy of the newspaper advertisement to the State Treasurer prior to the date of the inquest. The inquest shall be held in the same calendar year in which the list or information is received by the escheator. The attorney for the Commonwealth shall act as attorney for this proceeding.
Code 1919, § 493; Code 1950, § 55-172; 1977, c. 583; 1982, c. 486; 1984, c. 315; 1988, c. 377; 1996, c. 551; 2019, c. 712.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 55.1 - Property and Conveyances
§ 55.1-2401. Appointment of escheators
§ 55.1-2402. Bond of escheator
§ 55.1-2403. Increase or reduction of penalty of escheator's bond; effect
§ 55.1-2404. Annual report to escheator; lands not liable
§ 55.1-2405. Escheator to hold inquest; notice of inquest
§ 55.1-2406. Jury of inquest; presentation of evidence
§ 55.1-2407. Attendance of jurors; compensation
§ 55.1-2408. How verdict signed; where returned and recorded
§ 55.1-2409. Proceedings to claim land escheated
§ 55.1-2410. Trial by jury; judgment of court
§ 55.1-2411. Facts or evidence to be certified
§ 55.1-2412. Lands may be committed to claimant while claim pending
§ 55.1-2413. Disposition of lands while claim is pending, if not committed to claimant
§ 55.1-2414. Escheator to notify State Treasurer of claim and decision
§ 55.1-2415. Escheators to certify lands escheated
§ 55.1-2416. Removal of parcels from the certificate
§ 55.1-2417. Escheat of property with hazardous materials
§ 55.1-2418. Publication of escheator's certificate
§ 55.1-2419. Order of sale by Governor
§ 55.1-2420. Form of sale agreement; notice of right to refund
§ 55.1-2421. When grant to issue to purchaser; reimbursable expenses
§ 55.1-2422. Form of grant of escheated property
§ 55.1-2424. Recordation of certified copy of grant
§ 55.1-2425. Resale in case of default
§ 55.1-2426. Reports by escheators to State Treasurer
§ 55.1-2427. Reports by State Treasurer to the Governor; penalty on escheators for failure of duty
§ 55.1-2429. When State Treasurer to issue grant to purchaser
§ 55.1-2431. Escheat of estates in trust and equitable titles
§ 55.1-2432. Provision in favor of tenant of escheated land
§ 55.1-2433. In favor of creditor of decedent
§ 55.1-2434. Escheators to defend on behalf of Commonwealth
§ 55.1-2436. Publication of action; what to state and require
§ 55.1-2437. Order of the court
§ 55.1-2438. How money paid into state treasury from escheats may be recovered
§ 55.1-2439. Regulations of the State Treasurer
§ 55.1-2440. Continuation of certain statutes
§ 55.1-2441. Pendency of escheat proceedings no bar to condemnation proceedings