Virginia Code 64.2-731: Cy pres
A. Except as otherwise provided in subsection B, if a particular charitable purpose becomes unlawful, impracticable, impossible to achieve, or wasteful:
Terms Used In Virginia Code 64.2-731
- Charitable purpose: means the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or religion, the promotion of health, a municipal or other governmental purpose, or another purpose the achievement of which is beneficial to the community. See Virginia Code 64.2-701
- Charitable trust: means a trust, or portion of a trust, created for a charitable purpose described in § 64. See Virginia Code 64.2-701
- Court: means the court of the Commonwealth having jurisdiction in matters related to trusts. See Virginia Code 64.2-701
- Property: means anything that may be the subject of ownership, whether real or personal, legal or equitable, or any interest therein. See Virginia Code 64.2-701
- Settlor: except as otherwise provided in § 64. See Virginia Code 64.2-701
1. The trust does not fail, in whole or in part;
2. The trust property does not revert to the settlor or the settlor’s successors in interest; and
3. The court may apply cy pres to modify or terminate the trust by directing that the trust property be applied or distributed, in whole or in part, in a manner consistent with the settlor’s charitable purposes.
B. A provision in the terms of a charitable trust that would result in distribution of the trust property to a noncharitable beneficiary prevails over the power of the court under subsection A to apply cy pres to modify or terminate the trust only if, when the provision takes effect:
1. The trust property is to revert to the settlor and the settlor is still living; or
2. Fewer than 21 years have elapsed since the date of the trust’s creation.