Bill > SB540

This bill expands the legal presumption of undue influence, which is when someone is unfairly persuaded to change their will or other legal documents, to cover more types of property transfers made upon death. Currently, this presumption only applies when someone contests the validity of a will, but this bill would extend it to actions challenging documents like trusts, payment on death accounts, or transfer on death deeds that transfer real or personal property after the owner's death. This means that if a presumption of undue influence arises in a case involving these types of documents, the fact finder (judge or jury) will assume that the deceased person was improperly influenced unless there is enough evidence to prove they genuinely intended the property to be transferred as stated in the document.

Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB540