(Effective January 1, 2027) Signing of pleadings, motions, and other papers in consumer debt collection proceedings
Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-271.2
in effectIn addition to any other requirement set forth in § 8.01-271.1 , in any civil action to collect or enforce a consumer debt, the attorney of record shall include in the initial pleading and any subsequent filing the name of the attorney of record, the attorney's business address, and the attorney's business telephone number where such attorney can be reached directly by the court and the consumer or the consumer's attorney. If such pleading, motion, or other paper is not signed in compliance with this section, it is defective. Such a defect shall render the pleading, motion, or other paper voidable. If a signature defect is not timely and properly cured after it is brought to the attention of the pleader or movant, the pleading, motion, or other paper is invalid and shall be stricken. A signature defect shall be cured within 21 days after it is brought to the attention of the pleader or movant. If a signature defect is timely and properly cured, the pleading, motion, or other paper shall be valid and relate back to the date it was originally served or filed. For purposes of this section, the summons shall not be deemed an initial pleading.
For purposes of this section, "consumer debt" means an obligation or alleged obligation of an individual to pay money that arises out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance, or service that is the subject of the transaction is primarily for a personal, family, or household purpose.
2026, c. 489 .
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/8.01-271.2/Fetched: 10/17/2026