Virginia § 64.2-604 Payment or delivery of small asset; funeral expenses and disposition

Virginia Statutes

§ 64.2-604 — Payment or delivery of small asset; funeral expenses and disposition

Virginia § 64.2-604

JurisdictionVirginia

Title 64.2Wills, Trusts, and Fiduciaries

Subtitle IIWills and Decedents' Estates

Ch. 6Transfers Without Qualification

Art. 1Virginia Small Estate Act

This text of Virginia § 64.2-604 (Payment or delivery of small asset; funeral expenses and disposition) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Virginia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Va. Code Ann. § 64.2-604 (2026).

Text

A.Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, 30 days after the death of a decedent upon whose estate there shall have been no application for the appointment of a personal representative pending or granted in any jurisdiction, any person having possession of a small asset belonging to the decedent shall, at the request of a successor, pay or deliver to the licensed funeral service establishment handling the funeral, if there is one, and the disposition of the decedent so much of the small asset as does not exceed the amount given priority by § 64.2-528 and has not already been so paid upon being presented an affidavit made by the licensed funeral service establishment, at the request of a successor, stating:

1.That it is the licensed funeral service establishment handling the funer

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, 30 days after the death of a decedent upon whose estate there shall have been no application for the appointment of a personal representative pending or granted in any jurisdiction, any person having possession of a small asset belonging to the decedent shall, at the request of a successor, pay or deliver to the licensed funeral service establishment handling the funeral, if there is one, and the disposition of the decedent so much of the small asset as does not exceed the amount given priority by § 64.2-528 and has not already been so paid upon being presented an affidavit made by the licensed funeral service establishment, at the request of a successor, stating:

1. That it is the licensed funeral service establishment handling the funeral, if there is one, and the disposition of the decedent;

2. The legal name and business address of the licensed funeral service establishment;

3. The amount given priority by § 64.2-528, or the amount due to it for the funeral, if there is one, and the disposition of the decedent reduced by any other payments it has received or expects to receive;

4. The reasons and supporting evidence that the person to whom the affidavit will be presented is in possession of a small asset belonging to the decedent; and

5. That a successor has represented to it in writing that at least 30 days have elapsed since the decedent's death and no application for the appointment of a personal representative is pending, has been granted, or is expected in any jurisdiction.

B. 1. Any person paying or delivering a small asset pursuant to this section is discharged and released to the same extent as if that person dealt with the personal representative of the decedent and a receipt of the payee shall be a full and final release of the payor as to such sum. Such person is not required to see the application of the small asset or to inquire into the truth of any statement in any affidavit presented pursuant to subsection A.

2. If any person to whom an affidavit is presented pursuant to subsection A refuses to pay or deliver any small asset belonging to the decedent of which he is in possession pursuant to this section, it may be recovered, or its payment or delivery compelled, and damages may be recovered, on proof of rightful claim in a proceeding brought for that purpose by or on behalf of the licensed funeral service establishment. However, no such damages may be recovered if it is established in such proceeding that the refusal to pay or deliver the small asset was made in good faith.

C. Any licensed funeral service establishment to whom payment or delivery of a small asset has been made under this section is answerable and accountable therefor to any personal representative of the decedent's estate or to any successor having an equal or superior right.