Case Law Update: Slayers

Statute in effect at time of slaying governs

In Bell ex rel. Bell v. Casper ex rel. Church, 282 Va. 203 (2011), the Virginia Supreme Court held that the question of forfeiture by a slayer is governed by the statute in effect at the time of the slaying, not by the statute in effect at the time of the conviction of the slayer. In addition, the court held that both the former and current versions of the statute do not violate statutory prohibitions of forfeiture of estate or corruption of blood.

Special thanks to William P. LaPiana (Rita and Joseph Solomon Professor of Wills, Trusts,and Estates, New York Law School) for sending me this case law update.