Virginia Code
Va. Code Ann. § 34-1 (2026)
Definitions
✓ current as of May 2026
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As used in this title, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Creditor process" means all methods used by creditors to collect unsecured debts.
"Debt" means a legally enforceable monetary obligation or liability of any individual whether arising out of a contract or otherwise, but not an obligation resulting from an intentional tort.
"Exempt" means protected from all forms of creditor process.
"Exemption" means protection from all forms of creditor process.
"Homestead exemption" means that exemption created by § 34-4.
"Householder" means any resident of Virginia.
"Laboring person" means any person who receives wages for his services.
Code 1919, § 6566; 1974, c. 272; 1978, c. 253; 1979, c. 674; 1990, c. 942.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 35
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1974–2024 · leading case: Dickens v. Snellings (In Re Snellings), 10 B.R. 949 (Bankr. W.D. Va. 1981).
Dickens v. Snellings (In Re Snellings), 10 B.R. 949 (Bankr. W.D. Va. 1981). “00 homestead exemption pursuant to Virginia Code § 34-1 et seq.t 2. Are the Debtors entitled pursuant to 11 U.”
In re Foster, 556 B.R. 233 (Bankr. E.D. Va. 2016). “Va. Code § 34-1 (emphasis added). Therefore, the language of § 34-29, considered in the context of § 34-1, evidences *245 the intent to protect disposable earnings from all forms of creditor process.”
In Re Thompson, 4 B.R. 823 (E.D. Va. 1980). “” Section 34-1, Code of Virginia 1950, as amended, defines “householder” as follows: Definitions.”
In Re Ward, 210 B.R. 531 (Bankr. E.D. Va. 1997). “In particular, the court noted that Va.Code Ann. § 34-1 did not permit a homestead exemption to be claimed against “an obligation resulting from an intentional tort,” 9 and on that basis the court allowed the setoff.”
In Re Fromal, 151 B.R. 730 (E.D. Va. 1993). “Under this exemption, any “householder”, defined as “any resident of Virginia,” Va.Code § 34-1, can exempt certain real or personal property within the time limits and in the manner provided by the statute.”
Dominion Bank of the Cumberlands, Na v. James R. Nuckolls Judy M. Nuckolls, 780 F.2d 408 (4th Cir. 1985). “1981) (construing Va.Code § 34-1, which defines “householder” for purposes of who can claim the household exemption in Va.”
In Re Scott, 199 B.R. 586 (Bankr. E.D. Va. 1996). “Notwithstanding the ambiguity in the statute, the court assumes, for the purposes of the present opinion, that under Virginia law a judgment debtor would be unable to claim either a homestead exemption or the poor debtor’s exemption against a judgment for damages arising from an…”
In Re Williams, 3 B.R. 244 (Bankr. E.D. Va. 1980). “CONCLUSIONS OF LAW Prior to July 1, 1978, § 34-1 of the Code of Virginia was as follows: “Definitions.”
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Carpenter (In Re Carpenter), 245 B.R. 39 (Bankr. E.D. Va. 2000). “§ 34-1. Without reaching the issue of whether ERISA preempts Virginia’s exemption statute, Carpenter’s claim that the statute exempts proceeds from Wal-Mart’s lien fails by the statute’s own terms.”
Jones v. Kirsch (In Re Kirsch), 93 B.R. 77 (E.D. Va. 1988). “Va.Code Ann. § 34-1 (1984); see also supra (quoting householder definition under § 34-1).”
Homeowner's Fin. Corp. v. Pennington (In Re Orville Glen Pennington), 47 B.R. 322 (Bankr. E.D. Va. 1985). “1950 Code of Virginia § 34-1 et seq. (Repl. vol.”
In Re Hersch, 57 B.R. 667 (Bankr. E.D. Va. 1986). “See 1950 Va.Code §§ 34-1 to 34-33 (Repl. vol. 1984).”
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