Va. Code § 8.01-550: How attachment levied

An attachment may be levied as follows:On tangible personal property in possession of a principal defendant, whether such possession be actual or constructive, it may be levied as at common law or by delivering a copy of the attachment to such principal defendant or, if possession is requested in the petition, then by taking possession of such personal property;On choses in action or on tangible personal property in possession of any defendant other than the principal defendant, it may be levied by delivering a copy of the attachment to the person indebted to the principal defendant or having possession of the property belonging to him; andOn real estate, it may be levied by such estate being mentioned and described in an endorsement on the attachment by the officer to whom it is delivered for service to the following effect:"Levied on the following real estate of the defendant A. (or defendants A. and B.), to-wit: (here describe the real estate) this the................… day of..........................… at..........… o'clock. E.F., sheriff (or other officer),"and by service of the attachment on the person, if any, in possession of such real estate.Wherever a copy of an attachment is required or allowed to be served on any person, natural or artificial, it may be served as a notice is served under §§ 8.01-296, 8.01-299, 8.01-300 or 8.01-301, as the case may be.Code 1950, § 8-537; 1977, c. 617; 1984, c. 646.