Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia SB 540
Undue influence; presumptions in actions contesting validity of a trust or trust instrument.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- Mark D. Obenshain (Republican)
Summary
Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED
Undue influence; presumption in actions contesting validity of certain trust or instrument. Provides that, in an action contesting the validity of a trust or trust instrument, where a presumption of undue influence arises, the fact finder shall presume that the undue influence was exerted over the decedent unless evidence leads the fact finder to determine that the decedent did intend for the real or personal property to be conveyed or transferred as indicated. Current law applies this presumption of undue influence only to actions contesting the validity of a will.
Text versions
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 14, 2026, 8:01 AM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 6, 2026 Senate | Concur House Substitute R | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Mar 4, 2026 House | H VOTE: | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Mar 2, 2026 House | Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 23, 2026 House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 16, 2026 Senate | Passage R | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 16, 2026 Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed (on 3rd reading) | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 13, 2026 Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed R | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 13, 2026 Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed R | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 11, 2026 Senate | Reported from Courts of Justice | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
Actions
- Apr 8, 2026
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0506) - Apr 8, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 506 (effective 7/1/2026) - Mar 14, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 - Mar 14, 2026 · Senate
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 - Mar 12, 2026 · Senate
Signed by President - Mar 12, 2026 · House
Signed by Speaker - Mar 12, 2026 · Senate
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB540ER) - Mar 12, 2026 · Senate
Enrolled - Mar 6, 2026 · Senate
House substitute agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) - Mar 4, 2026 · House
Passed House with substitute (67-Y 30-N 0-A) - Mar 4, 2026 · House
Engrossed by House - committee substitute - Mar 4, 2026 · House
committee substitute agreed to - Mar 4, 2026 · House
Read third time - Mar 3, 2026 · House
Read second time - Mar 2, 2026 · House
Committee substitute printed 26108465D-H1 - Mar 2, 2026 · House
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 7-N) - Feb 23, 2026 · House
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 4-N) - Feb 19, 2026 · House
Assigned HCJ sub: Civil - Feb 19, 2026 · House
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice - Feb 19, 2026 · House
Read first time - Feb 19, 2026 · House
Placed on Calendar - Feb 16, 2026 · Senate
Blank Action - Feb 16, 2026 · Senate
Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A) - Feb 16, 2026 · Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) - Feb 16, 2026 · Senate
Rules suspended - Feb 16, 2026 · Senate
Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote) - Feb 16, 2026 · Senate
Read second time - Feb 13, 2026 · Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) - Feb 13, 2026 · Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (36-Y 0-N 0-A) - Feb 13, 2026 · Senate
Rules suspended - Feb 11, 2026 · Senate
Reported from Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N) - Jan 13, 2026 · Senate
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice - Jan 13, 2026 · Senate
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101600D