Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-563

The principal defendant, if a householder or head of a family, may claim that the amount so found owing from his codefendant, or the personal property in his possession, shall be exempt from liability for the plaintiff's claim; and if it shall appear that the principal defendant is entitled to such exemption, then the court shall render a judgment against the defendant only for the excess, if any, beyond the exemption to which the principal defendant is entitled.