Chap. 187.—An ACT to amend ard reenact Section 5376 of the Code of Virginia,
relating to appraisement of the estates of decedents. {H 145]

Approved March 11, 1948

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That section fifty-three hundred seventy-six of the Code
of Virginia be amended and reenacted as follows:

Section 5376. Appraisement of estate of decedent; to be signed
and returned to commissioner of accounts; to be recorded by clerk,
and date of its return entered by commissioner; its effect as evi-
dence; pay of appraisers—Every court or clerk by whose order
any person is authorized to act as a personal representative shall,
except where a testator directs his estate not to be appraised, or,
though he so directs, if the court or clerk deems it proper. appoint
three or more appraisers in every county or corporation in which
there may be any goods or chattels of the deceased, or in case of
a will in which there may be any real estate which the personal
representative is authorized to sell, or of which he is authorized to
receive the rents and profits. After taking an oath for the purpose,
they shall appraise such goods or chattels as may be produced to
them, and also the said real estate. The appraisers shall receive
reasonable compensation for their services, the amount thereof to
be subject to the approval of the commissioner of accounts. The
appraisement shall be signed by them and returned to the commis-
sioner of accounts of such court, who shall inspect the same, see
that it is in proper form, and, within ten days after it is received
and approved by him, deliver it to the clerk of such court, who
shall record the same, with the certificate of approval. The date
of return of an appraisement shall be entered by the said commis-
sioner in his record book. Every such appraisement shall be prima
facie evidence of the value of the estate embraced therein, and that
it came to the hands of the personal representative.