Virginia § 45.2-602 - Petition to establish a trust for missing coal owners
Full text of Virginia Code of Virginia § 45.2-602 — Petition to establish a trust for missing coal owners, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 45.2-602. Petition to establish a trust for missing coal owners
A. Any coal owner or lessee who (i) has more than a 50 percent interest in the coal on a particular tract and (ii) seeks to impress a trust upon unknown or missing owners of such tract of coal may petition the circuit court in the county or city containing the majority of the tract of coal to establish a trust to protect the interests of all coal owners and lessees.
B. The petition shall:
1. Describe the particular tract of coal at issue;
2. List all known, missing, and unknown owners of interests in such tract of coal and set forth the efforts to locate and identify the missing or unknown owners of the interests and provide any other information known to the petitioner that could be helpful in identifying or locating every present owner thereof; and
3. Include the proposed terms of a lease to be offered to the trust. Such lease shall be typical of other arm's-length leases in the area.
C. The petitioner shall establish to the satisfaction of the court that a diligent effort has been made to identify and locate the present owners of such interests.
Source: official Virginia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia § 45.2-602
What does Code of Virginia § 45.2-602 cover?
Section 45.2-602 ("Petition to establish a trust for missing coal owners") is part of the Code of Virginia, the codified statutory law of Virginia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Virginia § 45.2-602?
A common citation format is "Code of Virginia § 45.2-602" (Virginia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Virginia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Virginia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Virginia attorney.
How does Virginia § 45.2-602 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Virginia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Virginia.