Every officer collecting or receiving money to be applied on any execution or other legal process, or on any claim, whether judgment has been rendered thereon or not, shall notify in writing by mail or otherwise, within thirty days after such money is received, the person entitled to receive such money, if known. Any officer failing without good cause to comply with this section within the time prescribed shall be fined not less than twenty dollars nor more than fifty dollars for each offense.
§ 8.01-500.Officer receiving money to notify person entitled to receive it.
Chapter 18. Executions and Other Means of Recovery · Article 4. Enforcement Generally · Last amended 1977 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceAny officer who collects money toward an execution, other legal process, or a claim, whether or not judgment has been entered, must notify the known person entitled to it in writing within thirty days of receipt, or face a fine of twenty to fifty dollars for each failure without good cause.
Full Text of § 8.01-500
Plain-English Summary
Collecting money on someone else’s behalf carries an obligation to tell that person promptly. Section 8.01-500 requires an officer who collects or receives money to be applied on an execution, other legal process, or any claim — whether or not judgment has been rendered on it — to notify the person entitled to receive that money.
The notice must be in writing, whether sent by mail or delivered some other way, and it has to happen within thirty days after the officer receives the money. The obligation only reaches as far as the officer’s knowledge extends — the person entitled must be someone the officer knows about. An officer who skips this duty without good cause faces a real, if modest, financial penalty: a fine of not less than twenty dollars nor more than fifty dollars for each offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an officer have to notify a person that money has been collected on their behalf?
Within thirty days after the money is received.
Must the notice be given in writing?
Yes, the officer must notify in writing by mail or otherwise.
Does this section apply only when a judgment has already been rendered?
No, it applies whether judgment has been rendered on the claim or not.
What happens if an officer fails to give the required notice without good cause?
The officer shall be fined not less than twenty dollars nor more than fifty dollars for each offense.
Is the officer required to notify a person whose identity is unknown?
No, the duty applies to notifying the person entitled to receive the money, if known.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-430; 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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