Code of Virginia
Chapter 4 - Wills
§ 64.2-416. Devises, bequests, and distributions that fail; how to pass

A. For the purposes of this section, the terms "revocable," "settlor," "trust instrument," and "trustee" have the same meanings as provided in § 64.2-701.
B. Unless a contrary intention appears in the will or trust instrument, and except as provided in § 64.2-418:
1. If a devise, bequest, or distribution other than a residuary devise, bequest, or distribution fails for any reason, it shall become a part of the residue; and
2. If the residue is devised, bequeathed, or otherwise required to be distributed to two or more persons and the share of one fails for any reason, such share shall pass to the other residuary devisees, legatees, or beneficiaries in proportion to their interests in the residue.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 64.2-2604 and 64.2-2605 and unless a contrary intention appears in the will, if a testator makes a bequest, not exceeding the value of $100, to a legatee and such legatee refuses to take possession of such bequest, then the bequest shall fail and becomes a part of the residue of the testator's estate.
D. Subsection B applies to trusts and trust provisions only to the extent the trust instrument or provision is revocable immediately before the settlor's death on or after July 1, 2018, and the devise, bequest, or distribution occurs by reason of the settlor's death.
1985, c. 592, § 64.1-65.1; 2003, c. 253; 2012, c. 614; 2014, c. 532; 2018, c. 44.

Structure Code of Virginia

Code of Virginia

Title 64.2 - Wills, Trusts, and Fiduciaries

Chapter 4 - Wills

§ 64.2-400. Separate writing identifying recipients of tangible personal property; liability for distribution; action to recover property

§ 64.2-401. Who may make a will; what estate may be disposed of

§ 64.2-402. Advertisements to draw wills prohibited; penalty

§ 64.2-403. Execution of wills; requirements

§ 64.2-404. Writings intended as wills

§ 64.2-404.1. Reformation of will to correct mistakes or achieve decedent's tax objectives

§ 64.2-405. Interested persons as competent witnesses

§ 64.2-406. Repealed

§ 64.2-407. Will of personal estate of nonresidents

§ 64.2-408. Presumption of formal execution of wills made by persons in military service; will of personal estate of persons in military service and seamen

§ 64.2-409. Wills of living persons lodged for safekeeping with clerks of certain courts

§ 64.2-410. Revocation of wills generally

§ 64.2-411. Revival of wills after revocation

§ 64.2-412. Revocation by divorce or annulment; revival upon remarriage; no revocation by other change

§ 64.2-413. Effect of subsequent conveyance on will

§ 64.2-414. When wills deemed to speak

§ 64.2-415. How certain trust provisions, bequests, and devises to be construed; nonademption in certain cases

§ 64.2-416. Devises, bequests, and distributions that fail; how to pass

§ 64.2-417. When advancement deemed satisfaction of devise or bequest

§ 64.2-418. When children or descendants of beneficiary to take estate or trust

§ 64.2-419. Provision for omitted children when no child living when will made

§ 64.2-420. Provision for omitted children when child living when will made

§ 64.2-421. Construction of certain conditions of spouse's survivorship

§ 64.2-422. When omitted spouse to take intestate portion

§ 64.2-423. Repealed

§ 64.2-424. When direction to purchase annuity binding on legatee

§ 64.2-425. Interest on pecuniary legacies

§ 64.2-426. Testamentary additions to trusts by testator dying on or after July 1, 1994, and before July 1, 1999

§ 64.2-427. Testamentary additions to trusts by testator dying after June 30, 1999

§ 64.2-428. Distribution of assets by fiduciaries in satisfaction of pecuniary bequests or transfers in trust of pecuniary amount

§ 64.2-429. Construction of trust provisions otherwise eligible for the election permitted under § 2056(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code

§ 64.2-430. Certain marital deduction formula clauses to be construed to refer to federal marital deduction allowable if decedent had died on December 31, 1981

§ 64.2-431. Certain powers of appointment construed to refer to federal gift tax exclusion in effect on date of execution

§ 64.2-432. Certain formula clauses to be construed to refer to federal estate and generation-skipping transfer tax laws applicable to estates of decedents dying after December 31, 2009, and before January 1, 2011

§ 64.2-433. Definitions

§ 64.2-434. Validity

§ 64.2-435. Requirements

§ 64.2-436. Other points of form

§ 64.2-437. Certificate

§ 64.2-438. Effect of certificate

§ 64.2-439. Revocation

§ 64.2-440. Source and construction

§ 64.2-441. Persons authorized to act in relation to international will; eligibility; recognition by authorizing agency

§ 64.2-442. International will information registration

§ 64.2-443. Jurisdiction of probate of wills

§ 64.2-444. Clerks may probate wills

§ 64.2-445. Appeal from order of clerk

§ 64.2-446. Motion for probate; process against persons interested in probate

§ 64.2-447. Use of depositions

§ 64.2-448. Complaint to impeach or establish a will; limitation of action; venue

§ 64.2-449. Procedure in probate proceedings

§ 64.2-450. Probate of copy of will proved outside the Commonwealth; authenticated copy

§ 64.2-451. Appointment of curator; when made; his duties

§ 64.2-452. How will may be made self-proved; affidavits of witnesses

§ 64.2-453. How will may be made self-proved; acknowledgment of witnesses

§ 64.2-454. Appointment of administrator for prosecution of action for personal injury or wrongful death against or on behalf of estate of deceased resident or nonresident

§ 64.2-454.1. Will contest; presumption of undue influence

§ 64.2-455. Wills to be recorded; recording copies; effect; transfer to the Library of Virginia

§ 64.2-456. Bona fide purchaser of real estate without notice of devise protected

§ 64.2-457. Bona fide purchaser of real estate without notice of devise protected; later will

§ 64.2-458. Bona fide purchaser of real estate without notice of devise protected; intestacy