WEST VIRGINIA CODE
WVC 38 - 6 - 3
§38-6-3. Suspending bond; settling claimant's title; how suits on
bonds prosecuted.
But the sale of any such property shall be suspended at the
instance of any claimant thereof, who shall deliver to the
officer bond with good security in a penalty equal to double the
value thereof, payable to such officer, conditioned to pay to all
persons who may be injured by suspending the sale thereof, until
the claim thereto can be adjusted, such damages as they may
sustain by such suspension. If the property claimed to be liable
by virtue of the process aforesaid is in the possession of any of
the parties against whom such process was issued, but is claimed
by any other person or persons, the officer having such process
in his hands to be executed shall, whether an indemnifying bond
has been given or not, after notice to the claimant, or his
agent, proceed to execute the same notwithstanding such claim,
unless the claimant of such property, or someone for him, shall
give the suspending bond aforesaid, and shall, within thirty days
after such bond is given, proceed to have the title to such
property settled in accordance with the provisions of this
article. And in case such claimant or someone for him fails to
give such bond, or having given such bond fails to have such
proceedings instituted as aforesaid, to settle the title thereto,
such property shall be conclusively presumed to be the property
of the party in possession. For the purposes of this section, a
person making a claim of ownership of property on behalf of
another shall be deemed to be the latter's agent, and the notice
required by this section may be verbal or in writing. Upon any such bond as is mentioned in this or the two preceding sections,
suit may be prosecuted in the name of the officer, for the
benefit of the claimant, creditor, purchaser or other person
injured, and such damages recovered in such suit as a jury may
assess. The same may be prosecuted, and execution had, in the
name of such officer, when he is dead, in like manner as if he
were alive.
Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2012 1st Special Session