# Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-254: Limitation on enforcement of bequests and legacies

> Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C4_A5_S8.01-254

## Section

- **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-254
- **Heading:** Limitation on enforcement of bequests and legacies
- **Jurisdiction:** Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Virginia Code / Title 8.01 / Chapter 4 / Article 5 / Section 8.01-254

## Text

Wherever by any will, the testator devises any real estate to some person and requires such person to pay some other person a specified sum of money, or provides a legacy for some person which constitutes a charge against the real estate of the testator, or any part thereof, no suit or action shall be brought to subject such real estate to the payment of such specified sum of money or such legacy, as the case may be, after twenty years from the time when the same shall have been payable, and if the will specifies no time for the payment thereof, it shall be deemed to have been payable immediately upon death of the testator.

Code 1950, § 8-21; 1977, c. 617.

## Nearby sections

- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-253 Limitation of suits to avoid voluntary conveyances, etc](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C4_A5_S8.01-253.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-254 Limitation on enforcement of bequests and legacies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C4_A5_S8.01-254.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-255 Time for presenting claim against Commonwealth](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C4_A5_S8.01-255.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-255.1 Limitation of action for breach of condition subsequent or termination of determinable fee simple estate](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C4_A5_S8.01-255.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-255.2 Limitation on motion for new execution after loss of property sold under indemnity bond](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C4_A5_S8.01-255.2.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-256 As to rights and remedies existing when this chapter takes effect](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C4_A5_S8.01-256.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C4_A5_S8.01-254. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.