55-176 - Proceedings to claim land escheated. - Virginia Statutes

§ 55-176. Proceedings to claim land escheated.

When the verdict on such inquest is for the Commonwealth, any person claimingany interest in the lands, whether legal or equitable, may, before the salethereof, petition the circuit court for redress. The petition shall beaccompanied by a bond with good security to pay the Commonwealth all past duereal estate taxes, penalties and interest on such lands. To such petition theescheator shall be the sole defendant on behalf of the Commonwealth. He shallfile an answer stating the objections to the claim. The cause shall be heard,without any unnecessary delay, upon the petition and answer and the evidence.Upon a judgment in favor of the claimant, he shall pay all past due taxes,penalties and interest. Upon said judgment, the court may, in itsdiscretion, allow attorney's fees to the escheator, who may appear on his ownbehalf. For real estate assessment purposes, the commissioner of the revenueor assessor shall continue to assess any escheated property.

(Code 1919, § 497; 1983, c. 482; 1990, c. 938.)