West Virginia Code 38-7-41 – Intervention of third persons; trial; costs
Any person interested may file his petition at any time before the property attached as the estate of a defendant is sold under the decree or judgment, or if the proceeds of the sale have not been paid to the plaintiff, or his assigns, within one year after such sale, disputing the validity of the plaintiff's attachment thereon, or stating a claim thereto, or an interest in or lien on the same, under any other attachment or otherwise, and stating the nature of such claim, and, upon such petitioner's giving security for costs, the court, without any other pleading, shall impanel a jury to inquire into such claim, unless trial by jury be waived by the parties, and if it be found that the petitioner has title to, or a lien on, or any interest in, such property or its proceeds, the court shall make such order as is necessary to protect his rights. The costs of such inquiry shall be awarded to the prevailing party.
Terms Used In West Virginia Code 38-7-41
- Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Judgment: includes decrees and orders for the payment of money, or the conveyance or delivery of land or personal property, or some interest therein, or any undertaking, bond or recognizance which has the legal effect of a judgment. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
- Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.