Chapter 18. Executions and Other Means of Recovery · Article 1. Issue and Form; Motion to Quash · Last amended 1977 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceA judgment creditor may issue multiple executions on the same judgment over time, at personal cost even before an earlier writ’s return day arrives or at the debtor’s cost once a prior return shows the writ went unsatisfied, so long as no single debt is ever collected more than once.
Full Text of § 8.01-475
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Subject to the limitations prescribed by Chapter 17 (§ 8.01-426 et seq.) of this title, a party obtaining an execution may sue out other executions at his own costs, though the return day of a former execution has not arrived; and may sue out other executions at the defendant's costs, when on a former execution there is a return by which it appears that the writ has not been executed, or that it or any part of the amount thereof is not levied, or that property levied on has been discharged by legal process which does not prevent a new execution on the judgment. In no case shall there be more than one satisfaction for the same money or thing.
And the fact that a judgment creditor may have availed himself of the benefit of any other remedies under this chapter, shall not prevent him from issuing, from time to time, without impairing his lien under it, other executions upon his judgment until the same is satisfied.
Plain-English Summary
Collecting a judgment is rarely a one-shot affair. A debtor’s property may be scattered, hidden, or protected by other legal proceedings, and a single writ of fieri facias may not reach it all. Section 8.01-475 lets a creditor keep pressing forward, subject to the lien-priority limits in Chapter 17.
At the creditor’s own expense, a new execution can issue even while an earlier one is still outstanding and its return day has not yet come. Once a prior execution comes back showing it was not executed, was only partly levied, or reached property that was later discharged by legal process without barring further collection, the creditor can issue another execution at the debtor’s cost instead. Either way, the section is emphatic on one point: there can never be more than one satisfaction of the same debt, no matter how many writs it takes to collect it.
Pursuing other remedies under this chapter — a creditor’s suit, for instance — does not use up the creditor’s rights or weaken the judgment lien. The creditor may keep issuing execution after execution on the same judgment, from time to time, until it is fully paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a creditor issue a new execution before an earlier one’s return day has arrived?
Yes, at the creditor’s own cost, a party obtaining an execution may sue out other executions even though the return day of a former execution has not arrived.
When can a creditor make the debtor pay for a new execution?
When a former execution’s return shows the writ was not executed, was not fully levied, or reached property later discharged by legal process that does not bar a new execution on the judgment.
Can a debtor be forced to pay the same judgment twice through multiple executions?
No. The section states that in no case shall there be more than one satisfaction for the same money or thing.
Does pursuing another remedy under this chapter give up the creditor’s execution lien?
No. Availing oneself of other remedies under the chapter does not prevent the creditor from issuing further executions without impairing the lien.
Are there any limits on how many executions a creditor can issue?
The section is subject to the limitations prescribed by Chapter 17, referenced as beginning at § 8.01-426.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-407; 1977, c. 617.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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