reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 41 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 1 - Wills|§ 41. Payment of legacies out of real property not specifically devised

 If the personal property of a testator is insufficient for full payment of his general legacies, so much of his real property not specifically devised as shall be necessary for payment of the balance shall be sold and the proceeds used for such payment unless the will shall contain an express direction to the contrary.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 81 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 3 - Descent and Distribution|§ 81. Definitions and use of terms; effect of chapter

 (a) The term “real property” as used in this chapter, includes every estate, interest and right, legal and equitable, in lands, tenements and hereditaments, except such as are determined or extinguished by the death of an intestate, seized or possessed thereof, or in any manner entitled thereto, leases for years, estates for the life of another person, and real property held in trust, not devised by the beneficiary. (b) When in this chapter a person is described as “living,” it means living at the time of the death of the intestate from whom the descent or distribution came; when he is described as having “died,” it means that he died before such intestate. (c) This chapter does not affect a limitation of an estate by deed or will.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 82 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 3 - Descent and Distribution|§ 82. Modes, rules, and canons of descent abolished

 All existing modes, rules and canons of descent are hereby abolished. The determination of the degree of consanguinity of distributees of real and personal property shall be uniform, and shall be in accordance with the rules as applied immediately before the taking effect of this section to the determination of the next of kin of an intestate leaving personal property. All distinctions between the persons who take as heirs at law or next of kin are abolished and the descent of real property and the distribution of personal property shall be governed by this chapter except as otherwise specifically provided by law. Whenever in any statute the words heirs, heirs at law, next of kin, or distributees, are used, such words shall be construed to mean and include the persons entitled to take as provided by this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 83 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 3 - Descent and Distribution|§ 83. Dower and curtesy abolished; provisions in lieu thereof

 The shares of the surviving spouse as to real property as provided in this chapter and in section 10 of this title are in lieu of all rights of dower or curtesy therein. All rights of dower or curtesy in the estate of any person who dies after the effective date of this Code are abolished.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 85 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 3 - Descent and Distribution|§ 85. Advancements of real and personal estates

 If a child of an intestate shall have been advanced by him, by settlement or portion, real or personal property, the value thereof must be reckoned for the purposes of descent and distribution as part of the real and personal property of the intestate descendible and to be distributed to his distributees; and if such advancement be equal to or greater than the amount of the share which such child would be entitled to receive of the estate of the deceased, such child and his descendants shall not share in the estate of the intestate; but if it be less than such share, such child and his descendants shall receive so much, only, of the personal property, and inherit so much only, of the real property, of the intestate, as shall be sufficient to make all the shares of all the children in the whole property, including the advancement, equal. The value of any real or personal property so advanced shall be deemed to be that, if any, which was acknowledged by the child by an instrument in writing; otherwise it must be estimated according to the worth of the property when given. Maintaining or educating a child, or giving him money without a view to a portion or settlement in life is not an advancement. An estate or interest given by a parent to a descendant by virtue of a beneficial power, or of a power in trust with a right of selection, is an advancement.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 86 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 3 - Descent and Distribution|§ 86. How advancement adjusted

 When an advancement to be adjusted consisted of real property, the adjustment must be made out of the real property descendible to the distributees. When it consisted of personal property, the adjustment must be made out of the surplus of the personal property to be distributed to the distributees. If either species of property is insufficient to enable the adjustments to be fully made, the deficiency must be adjusted out of the other.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 87 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 3 - Descent and Distribution|§ 87. Effect of divorce, abandonment, or refusal to support upon rights to distributive share

 No distributive share of the estate of a decedent shall be allowed under the provisions of this chapter, either— (1) to a spouse against whom or in whose favor a final decree or judgment of divorce recognized as valid by the law of this territory has been rendered; or (2) to a spouse who has procured without this territory a final decree or judgment dissolving the marriage with the decedent, where such decree or judgment is not recognized as valid by the law of this territory; or (3) to a husband who has neglected or refused to provide for his wife, or has abandoned her; or (4) to a wife who has abandoned her husband; or (5) in the estate of a child to a parent who has neglected or refused to provide for such child during infancy or who has abandoned such child during infancy whether or not such child dies during infancy, unless the parental relationship and duties are subsequently resumed and continue until the death of the child. If the spouse or parent is deprived of a distributive share in the estate of a decedent by the provisions of this section the estate of such decedent shall be distributed, in accordance with the other provisions of this chapter, as though such spouse or parent had predeceased the decedent.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 88 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 3 - Descent and Distribution|§ 88. Simultaneous deaths

 (a) Where the title to property or the devolution thereof depends upon priority of death and there is no sufficient evidence that the persons have died otherwise than simultaneously, the property of each person shall be disposed of as if he had survived, except as otherwise provided in this section. (b) Where a testamentary disposition of property depends upon the time of death or two or more beneficiaries designated to take alternatively by reason of survivorship and there is no sufficient evidence that such beneficiaries have died otherwise than simultaneously the property thus disposed of shall be divided into as many equal portions as there are alternative beneficiaries and such portions shall be distributed respectively to those who would have taken the whole property in the event that the designated beneficiary through whom they take had survived. (c) Where there is no sufficient evidence that two joint tenants or tenants by the entirety have died otherwise than simultaneously the property so held shall be distributed one-half as if one had survived and one-half as if the other had survived. If there are more than two joint tenants and all of them have so died the property thus distributed shall be in the proportion that one bears to the whole number of joint tenants. (d) Where the insured and the beneficiary in a policy of life or accident insurance have died and there is no sufficient evidence that they have died otherwise than simultaneously the proceeds of the policy shall be distributed as if the insured had survived the beneficiary. (e) This section shall not apply in the case of wills, living trusts, deeds or contracts of insurance wherein a provision other than that provided for by this section has been made for the disposition of property. (f) Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed or construed to apply to the disposition of property of a person who has died before the effective date of this Code or to the disposition of property passing under an instrument, other than a will, executed before such date.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 121 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 5 - Escheats|§ 121. Escheat of property

 When any person dies without heirs entitled by law to inherit, leaving any real or personal property in this territory, the same shall escheat to and become the property of this territory.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 122 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 5 - Escheats|§ 122. Action by Virgin Islands to recover property

 The government of the Virgin Islands may maintain any action or proceeding necessary to recover the possession of any property left under the conditions described in section 121 of this title, or for the enforcement or protection of the rights of this territory thereto or on account thereof, in like manner and with like effect as any natural person. Such action or proceeding shall be prosecuted by the United States attorney by the leave and under the direction of the Governor, and not otherwise.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 123 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 5 - Escheats|§ 123. Commencement of action

 When the Governor is informed or has reason to believe that any real or personal property has escheated to this territory he shall direct the United States attorney to file an information in behalf and in the name of the Government of the Virgin Islands in the district court, setting forth a description of the estate, the name of the person last seized, the name of the occupant or the person in possession and claiming such estate, if known, and the facts and circumstances in consequence of which the estate is claimed to have been escheated, with an allegation that by reason thereof this territory has right by law to such estate. Upon such information a summons must issue to such person requiring him to appear and answer the information within the time allowed by law in civil actions, and the court must make an order setting forth briefly the contents of the information and requiring all persons interested in the estate to appear and show cause, if any they have, within such time as the court making such order may fix, why the title should not vest in this territory, which order must be published for at least six consecutive weeks from the date thereof in a newspaper published in the judicial division in which the property is situated, if one be published therein, and in case no newspaper is published in the division then in such newspaper as the court by order may direct.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 124 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 5 - Escheats|§ 124. Appointment of receiver

 The court, upon the information being filed as provided in section 123 of this title, with and upon the application of the United States attorney, either before or after answer, upon notice to the party claiming such estate, if known, may upon sufficient cause therefor being shown, appoint a receiver to take charge of such estate, and receive the rents and profits of the same, until the title to such estate is finally settled.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 125 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 5 - Escheats|§ 125. Appearance and trial of issues

 (a) All persons named in the information referred to in section 123 of this title may appear and answer or deny the facts stated at any time before the time for answering expires; and any other person claiming an interest in such estate may appear and be made a defendant by motion for that purpose in open court within the time allowed for answering; and if no person appears and answers within the time, then judgment shall be rendered that this territory is the owner of the property in such information claimed. (b) If any person appears and denies the title set up by this territory, or denies any material fact set forth in the information, the issue of fact must be tried as issues of facts are tried in civil actions. If, after the issues are tried, it appears from the facts found or admitted that this territory has good title to the property in the information mentioned, or any part thereof, judgment shall be rendered that this territory is the owner and entitled to the possession thereof, and that it recover costs of action against the defendants who have appeared and answered.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 126 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 5 - Escheats|§ 126. Order of sale

 In any judgment rendered by any court of competent jurisdiction, escheating property to this territory, on motion of the United States attorney, the court shall make an order that such property be sold at public sale, and upon such terms, whether for cash or credit, or both, as shall be deemed for the best interests of this territory. After giving such notice of the time and place of sale as may be prescribed by the court in the order, the marshal shall, within ten days after such sale, make a report thereof to the court, and, upon hearing the report, the court may examine the same and witnesses in relation thereto, and if the proceedings of such sale are unfair, or the sum or sums bid are disproportionate to the value of the portion sold, and if it appear that a greater sum can be obtained for the property, or any portion thereof, exceeding such bid by at least ten per centum, exclusive of the expense of a new sale, the court may vacate the sale and direct another sale to be had and the new sale shall be conducted in all respects as if no previous sale had taken place. But if it appears to the court that the sale was legally made and fairly conducted, and that the sum bid is not disproportionate to the value of the property sold, and that a greater sum than ten per centum, exclusive of the expense of a new sale, can not be obtained, the court shall make an order confirming the sale and directing the marshal in the name of this territory to execute to the purchaser or purchasers a conveyance of the property sold, and the conveyance shall vest in the purchaser or purchasers all the right and title of this territory therein, and also directing that the purchaser shall execute and deliver to the marshal his note or notes, payable to this territory, for any deferred payments, with a first mortgage upon the property conveyed, to secure such deferred payments. The marshal shall, out of the proceeds of such sale, pay the cost of the proceedings incurred on behalf of this territory, including the expense of making such sale, and the remainder, together with the notes and mortgages, he shall deliver to the Commissioner of Finance.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 127 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 5 - Escheats|§ 127. Claim to escheated property

 Within ten years after judgment in any proceeding had under this chapter, a person not a party or privy to such proceeding may file a petition in the district court showing his claim or right to the property or the proceeds thereof. A copy of such petition shall be served upon the United States attorney at least twenty days before the hearing of the petition, and he shall answer the same. The court thereupon shall try the issue as issues are tried in civil actions, and if it be determined that such person is entitled to the property or the proceeds thereof, the court shall order the property, if it has not been sold, to be delivered to him; or if it has been sold and the proceeds paid into the Treasury, then it shall order that a copy of the judgment be forwarded to the Commissioner of Finance. All persons who fail to appear and file their petitions at any time within the time limited, by law are forever barred, saving, however, to infants and persons of unsound mind the right to appear and file their petitions at any time within the time limited, or one year after their respective disabilities cease.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 128 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part I - Decedents' Estates|Chapter 5 - Escheats|§ 128. Unclaimed bank deposits

 When the Governor is informed or has reason to believe that any bank, banker, or other banking institution in the Virgin Islands has or holds on deposit or otherwise any fund, funds, or other property of any kind or nature which has escheated to this territory, he shall direct the United States attorney to file in the District Court an information or bill of discovery, with proper interrogatories to be answered by the owner, agent, or manager of such bank or banking institution, and upon the filing of such information or bill the court shall order and direct, at a time to be designated in the order, that the owner, agent or manager of such bank or banking institution shall, under oath, file an answer to the information and interrogatories, and shall specially answer each and every interrogatory contained in such information or bill. If it appears to the court from such answer that the bank, banker or banking institution has any property in its possession which has escheated or may escheat to this territory, it shall direct the bank, banker, or banking institution forthwith to bring the same into such court, and the court shall proceed to dispose of the property as provided elsewhere in this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 161 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part II - Administration of Estates|Chapter 11 - General Provisions|§ 161. Jurisdiction of district court

 In addition to the jurisdiction and powers conferred upon it by other provisions of law, the district court has jurisdiction and the power to administer justice in all matters relating to the affairs of decedents, and, upon the return of any process, to try and determine all questions, legal or equitable, arising between any or all of the parties to any proceeding, or between any party and any other person having any claim or interest therein who voluntarily appears in such proceeding, or is brought in by citation, as to any and all matters necessary to be determined in order to make a full, equitable, and complete disposition of the matter by such order or decree as justice requires; and, in the cases and in the manner prescribed by law, and in addition to and without limitation or restriction on the foregoing powers, to— (1) take proof of wills; (2) grant and revoke letters testamentary, and of administration; (3) direct and control the conduct, and settle the accounts, of executors and administrators; (4) direct the payment of debts and legacies and the distribution of the estates of intestates; and (5) order the sale and disposal of the real and personal property of deceased persons.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 162 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part II - Administration of Estates|Chapter 11 - General Provisions|§ 162. Mode of proceeding; pleadings

 The mode of proceeding in testamentary or probate matters is in the nature of a suit in equity, and the pleadings and forms thereof shall be as prescribed by rules of the district court.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 163 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part II - Administration of Estates|Chapter 11 - General Provisions|§ 163. Books to be kept in probate matters

 The proceedings in probate matters shall be entered and recorded in the following books— (1) a register, in which shall be entered a memorandum of all official business transacted by the court appertaining to the estate of each person deceased under the name of such person; (2) a record of wills, in which shall be recorded all wills proven before the court, with the order of probate thereof, and of all wills proved elsewhere upon which letters of administration are issued by the direction of the court; (3) a record of the appointment of administrators, whether general, special, or of a partnership, and of executors; (4) a record of accounting and distribution, in which shall be entered a summary balance sheet of the accounts of administrators and executors, with the orders and decrees relating to the same; a memorandum of executions issued thereon, with a note of satisfaction when satisfied; also orders and decrees relating to the sale of real property and to the distribution of the proceeds thereof, and notices of all money or securities paid or deposited in court as proceeds of such sales or otherwise, and a statement showing the names of creditors, and the debts established and entitled to distribution, the amount to which each person is entitled out of such fund, and the amount actually paid to each person, and when paid; and (5) an order book, in which shall be entered orders directing the conduct of executors or administrators, orders for publication of notice to creditors; orders in behalf of creditors, directing debts to be paid or allowing an execution to be issued; appraisers and referees; orders relating to the production of a will, to removal of executors or administrators, or to sureties therefor, and generally all other orders not required to be entered in some other book.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 164 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part II - Administration of Estates|Chapter 11 - General Provisions|§ 164. Indexes to books

 To each of the books referred to in section 163 of this title there shall be attached an index, securely bound in the volume, referring to the entries or records, in alphabetical order, under the name of the person to whose estate or business they relate and naming the page of the book where the entry or record is made.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 165 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part II - Administration of Estates|Chapter 11 - General Provisions|§ 165. Costs and witness fees

 With respect to matters to which this chapter relates, costs may be awarded in favor of one party against another, to be paid personally or out of the estate or fund, in any proceedings contested adversely. Such costs shall not exceed those allowed in the trial of a civil action in the district court. Witness fees and other disbursements similar to those allowed on the trial of a civil action may also be allowed, to be paid in like manner.
V.I. Code tit. 15, § 166 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 15 - Decedents' Estates and Fiduciary Relations|Part II - Administration of Estates|Chapter 11 - General Provisions|§ 166. Orders, judgments, or decrees for payment of money

 With respect to matters to which this chapter relates, orders, judgments, or decrees for the payment of money may be enforced, by execution or otherwise, in the same manner as other orders, judgments, or decrees for the payment of money in the district court.