# Virginia SB540: Undue influence; presumptions in actions contesting validity of a trust or trust instrument.

Virginia SB540, Undue influence; presumptions in actions contesting validity of a trust or trust instrument., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Mark D. Obenshain (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-04-08 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0506)) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB540-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB540
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Undue influence; presumptions in actions contesting validity of a trust or trust instrument.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-04-08, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0506)
- Sponsor: Mark D. Obenshain (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 10 (257 yes, 41 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 1

## Summary

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.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Trust challenges presume undue influence: mixed, low. The law sets a rule for lawsuits that challenge a Virginia trust or trust document. In these cases, the judge or jury must start by presuming the decedent was under undue influence. That presumption stays unless, after all trial evidence, the judge or jury finds the decedent meant the transfer show…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Mark D. Obenshain (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-06 | Senate | House substitute agreed to by Senate | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-04 | House | Passed House with substitute | pass | 67 | 30 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | House | Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute | pass | 15 | 7 |   |
| 2026-02-23 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute | pass | 6 | 4 |   |
| 2026-02-16 | Senate | Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-16 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-16 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 36 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Reported from Courts of Justice | pass | 15 | 0 |   |

## Actions (33)

- 2026-04-08: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0506) (Governor)
- 2026-04-08: Approved by Governor-Chapter 506 (effective 7/1/2026) (Governor)
- 2026-03-14: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-14: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB540ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-06: House substitute agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Passed House with substitute (67-Y 30-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-04: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2026-03-04: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-03-04: Read third time (House)
- 2026-03-03: Read second time (House)
- 2026-03-02: Committee substitute printed 26108465D-H1 (House)
- 2026-03-02: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 7-N) (House)
- 2026-02-23: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 4-N) (House)
- 2026-02-19: Assigned HCJ sub: Civil (House)
- 2026-02-19: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (House)
- 2026-02-19: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-19: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-16: Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Blank Action (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (36-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Reported from Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101600D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-08: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1218215.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1218214.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1202641.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1202640.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-03-02: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1189010.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1189009.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-23: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1177599.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1177598.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090741.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090740.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1218215.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1218214.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1202641.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1202640.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1189010.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1189009.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1177599.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1177598.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090741.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090740.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB540-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).